Test: Citroën C4 Grand Picasso – modern family architecture

Despite the designers' risk with futuristic architecture and design, the car as a whole brings exceptional freshness into the minivan segment, which can be described as interesting, but certainly not as bold as the Citroën C4 Grand Picasso.

Grand family – 7 family members

The Citroën C4 Grand Picasso is from its own younger brother larger for the additional two seats in the rear third row and 16 inches long which enables the transport of two additional passengers, who must not measure more than 160 cm in height. Definitely the last row it will not be suitable for transporting the mother-in-law, who could extremely resent such a move. Children up to the age of 10 will feel great on it. The modularity of the luggage compartment is excellent, because by simply pulling out the seats from the bottom, the car acquires a seventh seat. This otherwise huge "cargo area" from 645 liters shrink on the bad ones 170 liters, which will still be sufficient for transporting daily luggage.

Comfort is in Picasso in the first place, because the seats are designed to offer a generous amount of adjustments related to comfort. Test Grand Picasso however, it was equipped with massage seats, which, although a bit gentle, still ensure that long drives do not become painful and the buttocks remain in good shape. As an option, there is also a footrest for the front passenger, which makes this seat a real one just a recliner, which many people would like to have in their living room.

A story of comfort and brightness also continues through the creation of good feelings with large glass surfaces. The biggest panoramic glass (car 5.7 m2) and the largest windshield in the segment as a whole form an exceptional sense of volume in the car. In good weather, the sun can be a bit too much, but when the clouds creep into the sky, this solution makes it extremely user experience and especially good feelings.

Tailored to gadget & technology lovers

The test car practically overpowered all technical aids, which make the driver's job easier and lead him to think less and less about driving. So the car overcame active cruise control with automatic speed adjustment, warning system on vehicle in the blind spot and system automatic parking. This was joined by a bunch of more or less useful technical innovations for the "wireless" connectivity of various devices with the car, which are all worked satisfactorily in turn and alleviated the driver's daily problems.

We have to praise accurate navigation system, which was even able to detect "points of interest", which means that many useful little things are marked on the map. So you can find the next hotel on the map, or Lidl or Hofer, which are marked with a recognizable logo. Interesting way getting to know the surroundings, especially when you are traveling and need such information. We also praise the rarity of these types of vehicles, namely 230V socket (Citroen e-Touch) with which you will be able to provide electricity to a laptop or any other device that needs this type of power supply. With this, the car already changes from family car to a small office where you can do just about everything, even on longer business trips.

Great diesel engine

In the nose of the test version the diesel engine breathed with label BlueHDi 150 BVA6, which is truly "wise" and environmentally friendly, as it meets the norm Euro 6 and releases only into the air 117 g/km CO2, while of course spending surprisingly low on fuel. On the test circuit of the combination, both city and suburban driving and the highway, with the robotic gearbox it spent only 6.9 liters on 100 kilometers driven. Which is for almost 1.5 tons heavy vehicle of this type excellent result. 110 Kw or 150 horses under the hood in reality means excellent performance for this class. Data on the final speed, which amounts to 207 km/h and acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h – 10 seconds, talk about the fact that it is really a great product that often forces the driver to work with the gas pedal. Despite the fact that the chassis is not the most dynamically tuned, in combination with the engine it still works playful enough, so that it can also be driven a little faster. The fun is somewhat spoiled at times by the robotic gearbox, which is at times too slow and poorly responsive. Fortunately, though combined with this engine and levers nevertheless a useful product for steering wheel shifting, which according to the specified the time of adaptation, becomes even interesting. Since we also had the opportunity to test the manual transmission in combination with the same engine, the feelings are much better with the latter.

Parked in front of a modern family home

The Grand Picasso will appeal to virtually everyone who tries it. He has it easy enough multifaceted trump cards, which convince potential buyers. In a segment that is not particularly innovative, it jumped from the gray average of the class.

It will definitely be liked by all those who love modern architecture. Also because of its apparent simplicity, around which it hides thoughtful complexity. And for those who simply need more car and for whom the 6th and 7th seat becomes a rare situational necessity, but still a necessity. It's a C4 Grand Picasso simply good and rational family decision. With this one, in all probability, it will be necessary to give up some additional equipment package, which makes the car much more expensive. With a slightly weaker engine and less technology, it will be a really good and even affordable family purchase.