Citroën Grand C4 Picasso – everything you need to know

November 2, 2022

The Citroën C4 Grand Picasso has many predecessors. In 1999, we first saw the Picasso name on a large family car: the Citroën Xsara Picasso. This remarkably styled MPV was technically closely related to Citroen’s successful midsize car of the time, the Xsara. Accordingly, the popular Citroën Xsara Picasso received a fitting sequel; the C4 Picasso followed in 2006 and a C3 Picasso in 2009. You would almost forget that Citroën also had the C8 “family bus” in its lineup until 2014.

Citroën Xsara Picasso (1999)

Citroen C3 Picasso (2009)

Citroen C8 (2012)

Build years Citroën C4 Grand Picasso

Citroën has launched two generations of C4 Picasso. In 2006, the C4 Picasso (including the seven-seat Grand Picasso) saw the light of day. A total of 891,000 examples of this generation were built.

In this article, we focus mainly on the second generation. Launched in 2013, Citroën gave it a sleek and futuristic look. A 2016 refresh breathed new life into the car with different colors and wheels, an upgraded multimedia system with Apple CarPlay and an automatic-opening tailgate. Of the second generation C4 Picasso, Citroën produced a total of 732,000 cars.

Citroën C4 Picasso: five-seater or seven-seater?

See the difference between the regular five-seater and the seven-seater Grand Picasso? This only works well when you park the two models side by side. As a Grand Picasso, the car stands out with a higher and longer roofline. The five-seater can still pass for a spacious hatchback; the seven-seater is easier to unmask as a French futuristic “family van.

As of 2018, the Grand Picasso will be referred to as Citroën C4 SpaceTourer.

Competitors

During its lifetime, there were still plenty of competitors for the Citroën C4 Grand Picasso. For a spacious and comfortable family car, Opel could offer a Zafira, Volkswagen had a Sharan in the showroom or SEAT came to the rescue with the Alhambra. Prefer a French family car? Then a Renault Scénic or Peugeot 5008 was a good alternative. For sportier drivers, a Ford S-Max was probably the better choice.

Engines Citroën C4 Grand Picasso

Citroën equipped the Grand Picasso with several gasoline and diesel engines. The base engine is a 1.2 three-cylinder with 130 hp. A 165-hp 1.6 gasoline was also available, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission as standard. Later was also an eight-speed automatic.

For mile-eaters, the French build good and reliable diesel engines. The 1.6-liter turbodiesel with 120 hp (later 130 hp) and 2.0-liter with 150 hp were both labeled “BlueHDi. In the last years of construction, the lightest diesel disappeared and the power of the 2.0 liter increased to 163 hp.

Dimensions and space

The Citroën C4 Grand Picasso offers a sea of space for those on a relatively modest budget. Up front, the car gives a very spacious feeling, especially thanks to the panoramic windshield. The two seats in the third row of seats easily fold away into the cargo floor.

The model is 4,438 mm long, 1,826 mm wide and 1,625 mm high. By comparison, that is slightly less spacious than a Volkswagen Sharan. In terms of luggage space, the C4 Grand Picasso (645-1843 liters) compares well with that of an Opel Zafira (710-1860 liters).

Safety and versatility

In terms of safety, the Citroën scores high marks. With standard six airbags and good safety equipment, the car scored five stars in the Euro NCAP crash tests.

These Citroëns are famous for their versatile interiors. That offers plenty of flexibility, handy storage compartments and, especially with the third row of seats folded down, a huge trunk. In addition, a C4 Grand Picasso can tow a caravan of up to 1,350 pounds.

Successor

MPVs seem to have been largely wiped out these days by the advent of all kinds of SUVs and crossovers. However, none of the models in Citroën’s lineup appear to be outright successors to the C4 Grand Picasso. The current Citroën Ë-Spacetourer does offer plenty of space, but it is – irreverently put – a van transformed into an electric-powered family car.

Points of attention Citroën C4 Grand Picasso

Are you in the market for a Citroën C4 Grand Picasso? This generation of Citroëns is known to be relatively reliable. Please note the following points of interest:

The timing belt, which runs in the engine oil, should be replaced in a timely manner. If an overly old belt starts releasing rubber particles, they can block oil lines or channels. This can result in costly engine damage.

It happens that the electrically operated parking brake remains engaged when the battery does not provide sufficient voltage. Replacing the battery is often the solution.

Advantages Citroën C4 Grand Picasso

Comfort plays an important role in the Grand C4 Picasso. Wind noise and rolling noise are barely audible, even at high speeds. The longer wheelbase and shorter overhang than its predecessor put the car more firmly on the road. The characteristic French suspension offers a wonderfully relaxing ride. Also nice: in the Exclusive trim, the front seats have a massage function and the center storage compartment has an electrical outlet!