Top Gear car review: Citroen C4 Picasso

WHAT WE SAY: 

All-new Citroen C4 Picasso is comfier and more versatile than the SUV crossovers that are all the rage

WHAT IS IT?

Citroen’s family stalwart range has had a full renewal. It’s moved onto a new platform from PSA, giving less weight, more strength, reduced thirst and better proportions – in all cases, by a big margin.

But as before, it’s a people carrier with five separate seats (or seven in the stretched Grand Picasso) and a glassy body, giving plenty of space and versatility in a compact footprint. Engine range emphasises diesels, but many buyers will be happy with the 120bhp 1.6 petrol – it also comes as a 156bhp turbo.

DRIVING

If you’re a driving enthusiast, cram your complaining family into a hatchback instead. MPVs aren’t about smoking through corners. And the Picasso, especially, is built for comfort not for speed. The 115bhp diesel, likely to be a big seller, is fairly smooth and quiet but no fireball. We’d rather have the 1.6 turbo, to be honest.

Cornering is faithful and not at all a grim experience, but it’s hardly athletic, and the gearshift is floppy. The steering might be good on lock, but it’s vague about the centre, which makes it more tiring than it need be to hold steady in your motorway lane. Handy optional driver aids include collision alert, blind spot warning and 360 degree manoeuvring cameras.

ON THE INSIDE

Plenty of room for five people inside the Picasso: the third-row duo in the Grand may grumble, but at least they’re in. The dash has two big colour screens: a 12-inch display and a 7-inch touchscreen. So you can keep navigation directions on one, while the passengers get control of the other. The windscreen stretches far back into the roof. An optional ‘Lounge’ pack gives a calf rest for the front passenger, and winged headrests for everyone. Tray tables, lots of storage in the dash and under the floor, and 12V plus 230V outlets complete the family-friendly picture. Cabin material quality and style are a leap ahead from its predecessor’s too, and, more to the point, ahead of the Japanese opposition. Excellent ride comfort and quietness add to the relaxed air.

OWNING

This is a car that’ll fit well into family lives, and its design might engender a little pride too. As for costs, well the significantly lightweight new body and chassis, with clever aero, serves up some impressive fuel figures for a relatively bulky MPV. In fact, one diesel creeps under 100g/ km, but you’ve got to put up with the clunky flappy gearbox and get by on 90bhp. Still, even the 115bhp manual is just 105g/km and 70mpg. Depreciation looks less severe than, say, a C-Max, but as this Picasso is brand-new there won’t be much in the way of discount yet. The Grand costs around £1,500 extra.

HIGHLIGHTS FR

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Top Gear car review: Citroen C4

WHAT WE SAY: 

Citroen's play-it-safe alternative to a VW Golf is OK in most areas but simply too dull for buyers to get their teeth into

WHAT IS IT?

Citroen was brave with the last  Citroen C4, and buyers didn’t really appreciate it. So it’s played it safe this time around. If you want exciting, buy the DS4.

DRIVING

The C4 gives a nice, damped ride and body roll is excellent through fast corners. The steering is sharp, but its too light and doesn’t have enough feel.

Comfort is well up on the C4’s agenda with excellent damping and a great all-round view of your surroundings. The diesels make it an excellent long-distance car; quiet at speed and good economy.

All the engines get the job done, although the less powerful petrols feel slightly underpowered when pushed hard. The most economical diesel, the 120bhp 1.6, supposedly manages 78.5mpg…

ON THE INSIDE

Rear seat passengers will bemoan that roofline. Just beware that you might not fit a decent-sized pram in the back because the tail tapers quite strongly. The fact it’s not a box makes it look nice, but isn’t as practical.

Citroen doesn’t have the greatest reputation for strong interiors but the C4’s is actually reasonable. It uses strong, sturdy materials that wouldn’t look out of place in a prestige car while the panel gaps throughout the cabin are tight, meaning it shouldn’t rattle soon after purchase like Citroens of old used to.

OWNING

Cheap insurance on most models is a boon, but residuals aren’t the finest. We’d stick with the most economical engines. When it comes to the C4, cheaper is better. 

Source: topgear.com

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