CITROEN C4 GRAND PICASSO ESTATE 1.6 VTI VTR+ 5DR

Citroen's spruced up mid-size people carrier faces ever hotter competition, but the market's best-looking MPV still has a few tricks up its sleeve as David Vivian discovers.

CITROEN C4 GRAND PICASSO ESTATE 1.6 VTI VTR+ 5DR

Citroen's classy, glassy 7-seater Grand C4 Picasso brought a new level of sophistication to the mini-MPV market at its launch in 2007 - and still does. Today's improved version features sharper design, extra equipment and more efficient e-HDi diesel engines. For growing families, this avant garde people carrier continues to combine style and substance like little else.

CITROEN C4 GRAND PICASSO ESTATE 1.6 VTI VTR+ 5DR

Citroen's old Xsara-based Picasso was a hard act for its C4-based replacement to follow. Without being especially pretty or good to drive, the roomy, cleverly thought out and keenly priced Xsara Picasso was nevertheless the UK's best-selling MPV for a long time. But since then the market has figured out what most of us knew all along: a five-seat MPV is no more a 'people-mover' than a five-seat hatch or saloon. And now it's been established that a third row seats can be fitted without compromising practicality, luggage space or comfort, that's the way the market has headed. So what did Citroen do? It extended the wheelbase of the C4 Picasso, much as Renault had done with its rival Megane Scenic, installed a third row of seats and added Grand to the name. This gave it the basis take on a new breed of compact people-carrier such as the Vauxhall Zafira, Mazda 5 and Honda FR-V, at the same time attracting buyers downsizing from bigger MPVs such as the Citroen's own C8.

The exceptionally glassy cabin with its ultra-slim, split windscreen pillars addresses customer demand for an airy cabin with a high level of visibility but Citroen's longstanding tradition of doing things differently also finds expression in areas such as the design of the facia, the fixed hub steering wheel and less tangible elements like the cabin's executive style ambient illumination, electric handbrake and hill-hold facility. None of which would have counted for much without a solid range of good, honest oil-burning engines to provide some balance and, fortunately for the C4 Picasso, Citroen's diesel engines are among the best.

It's the 7-seat 'Grand' version we're looking at here, a model lately improved with a subtle styling makeover and more efficient diesel engines plus an upgraded specification. All of which it will need in a sector that includes even tougher competition these days with reinvigorated models from Ford, Mazda and Peugeot.

CITROEN C4 GRAND PICASSO ESTATE 1.6 VTI VTR+ 5DR

A Climbing aboard the Grand C4 Picasso for the first time may leave you a little taken aback. The glass area would do justice to a modest greenhouse. The panoramic windscreen arcs overhead and after just a short interruption for the panel holding the extendable sun visors there's this optional full length sunroof that extends all the way back to the third row of seats. Wishbone-shaped windscreen pillars have glazed centre sections to further boost visibility and the sun visors can slide forward when needed to shield the eyes of front seat occupants on sunny days. Factor in the low window line and Citroen have created the lightest and airiest of interiors for the growing family where all seven occupants get an unhindered view out.

There's space aplenty up front and excellent headroom everywhere. The facia has a typically quirky Citroen flavour with this stubby high-mounted gearlever for the six-speed gearbox, a centrally-located instrument display (which, incidentally, can be illuminated in five different colours) and separate control panels for the heating and air conditioning at either end. If you've been used to a more conventional layout, it will take a little getting used to. The driving position is high but benefits from a tilt and reach-adjustable steering wheel and well-spaced pedals, which makes it easy to get comfortable. And although the seats look quite thin, they're well proportioned and supportive on long trips.

With a choice of a 120bhp VTi or 155bhp THP 1.6-litre petrol engines or 110bhp 1.6 or 150 or 160bhp 2.0-litre HDi diesel units, C4 Grand Picasso drivers won't be wanting for decent powerplants. There are few thrills to be had, but the Grand C4 Picasso is safe and reassuring on the road. While lacking the sharpness and feel of more dynamic rivals, it still turns into corners with confidence, and despite more body movement, always remains composed. The ride is also accomplished - it soaks up bumps with ease and is supple enough to isolate imperfections from the cabin. The 1.6-litre HDi diesel under this version's bonnet is likely to remain the biggest seller, and boasts smooth power delivery, fine mechanical refinement - especially at motorway speeds - and enough pace for most situations. If you want an easier drive still, there's Citroen's EGS semi-auto, complete with steering wheel paddle shifters, which is standard on higher-spec diesels. It has a slightly jerky shift in auto mode, but is smoother if you use the paddles and suits the relaxed nature of the vehicle.

CITROEN C4 GRAND PICASSO ESTATE 1.6 VTI VTR+ 5DR

Most people I've spoken to reckon the C4 Picasso is one of the best looking MPVs on sale and the styling tweaks on the latest models are unlikely to change that view. They're relatively minor but comprise LED daytime running lights, a revised front bumper, redesigned tail lamp clusters and more prominent double chevron badges on the front grille and tailgate. There are seven seats in all 'Grand' models and, unusually in this class of vehicle, there's space for a couple of soft bags in the boot with all the seats in place and stowage can be augmented by all those useful cubbies.

Even if you're tall, getting into the rearmost row of seats isn't too taxing, thanks to the clever way the outside seats in the middle row fold up like cinema seating and slide forward with the tug of a handle for easier access. You wouldn't want to stay cooped up in the back for long though. It's far better to leave these berths for the kids or fold them under the floor to take advantage of 672-litre capacity that's then created. Fold all of the seats down, a feat which can be performed in an impressive 20 seconds, and there's a massive 1,951 litres to play with.

There's no handbrake in the C4 Picasso, at least not in the traditional sense, and the gearlever is either dash-mounted in this case or completely absent on the EGS-equipped automatic models which use a column-mounted stalk and paddle shifters to operate the transmission. This creates a wide space between the front seat and a feeling of openness around the whole front of cabin area. Storage bins pop-up at every turn in this vehicle, including a particularly neat air-conditioned one beneath the dash to keep drinks cool. And although some of the plastics seem less than robust in places, the build quality is generally impressive

CITROEN C4 GRAND PICASSO ESTATE 1.6 VTI VTR+ 5DR

Prices for this model reside in the £18,000 to £25,000 bracket and you're looking at a premium of around £1,200 over comparable examples of the 5-seat C4 Picasso model that'll suit smaller families better. Automatic and sequential manual gearboxes are offered to free up floorspace. This latest model features enhanced levels of standard equipment and you can expect to find rear parking sensors, electrically folding mirrors, a USB socket and Bluetooth connectivity. Similarly, all Exclusive models now benefit from 17" alloy wheels, smarter upholstery; USB and Bluetooth connectivity and Citroen's eTouch Emergency & Assistance System. The Grand C4 Picasso goes head to head with cars like Ford's Grand C-MAX, Peugeot's 5008 and the Mazda5 competes squarely on price with them but it perhaps faces tougher competition from new Chevrolet Orlando which, while lacking the Citroen's design flair, offers similar levels of space, practicality and equipment for several thousand pounds less.

There can be no quibbles about safety provision, though. Front-seat occupants are protected by twin front and side airbags, while window airbags cover the first two rows. Stability control is also standard across the C4 Picasso range. Deadlocks are fitted to make life difficult for thieves and optional laminated side windows further boost safety and security.

CITROEN C4 GRAND PICASSO ESTATE 1.6 VTI VTR+ 5DR

Citroen's latest e-HDi micro-hybrid technology combines a second-generation Stop & Start system, a reversible alternator that recovers energy during braking, an e-booster function that re-starts the engine instantly (in 0.4 seconds) and a refined Euro 5 HDi 110bhp DPFS engine with a 6-speed EGS transmission. This advanced powertrain delivers combined cycle economy of 57.6mpg for the Grand C4 Picasso, with CO2 emissions of 132g/km. In built-up, urban environments, this innovative technology can lower fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by as much as 15%.

If you opt for a more powerful diesel, the 2.0HDi 150bhp engine comes with a 6-speed manual gearbox, which delivers combined cycle fuel economy of 49.6mpg. A 2.0HDi 160bhp variant with a 6-speed automatic gearbox is also available on top Exclusive models. Citroen's Picasso brand has a good reputation on the used market and it holds its value better that many of the marque's other products. Insurance is between groups 6 and 11.

CITROEN C4 GRAND PICASSO ESTATE 1.6 VTI VTR+ 5DR

Citroen has long been a key player in the compact MPV market but their C4 Picasso models had become a little overlooked until this latest package of changes. Now that things have been brought up to date under the bonnet, this car really can compete on equal terms with the newest of its rivals.

Perhaps most significantly, the striking design and attention to detail ensure that the Grand C4 Picasso is a vehicle that people can form an emotional attachment to, just like the best Citroens of the past.