Citroën Grand C4 Picasso (2007 - 2013) 1.6HDi 16V VTR Plus 5d EGS (2009/59) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

Cost conscious family man.

What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?

It's a good looking practical car.

Would you buy this car again and why?

Yes, because it offers super mini economy with MPV practicality.

What are you likely to buy next?

That will depend on whether the kids have left home or not.

Type of dealer you bought from?

Independent

Did you buy this car new?

No

What price did you pay?

£8,000

When did you buy the car?

June 2012

Did you get a good deal and why?

Car was priced sensibly but the main reason for choosing this dealer was the trade-in price they offered on my old car.

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

A good looking economical car that could carry 3 children without them having to sit next to each other.

What was the dealer like?

Friendly, unpressured and efficient.

What's it like to drive?

I find the car to be the ideal compromise between economy and performance. It handles well, has good brakes and excellent all round visibility. The suspension is quite soft so can cause car sickeness on long journeys. The EGS gearbox took a long time to get used to. I found the gearchanges jerky at first but I have now become used to identifying the bite point on the clutch and I now only use the system in automatic mode which I find the most relaxing. The only time the EGS becomes jerky now is in slow moving stop-start congestion where the EGS system seems to have trouble deciding if the clutch should be engaged or disengaged.

What's it like to park?

Not a problem. The rear of the car is flat so it ends where the window is. There is a large area in front of the diver which takes a bit of getting used to but once mastered does not present a problem. The turning circle is quite large for a smaller car but again, not a problem if allowed for.

Have you had any problems with the car?

This has been a good car so far though it is far from exciting. The alternator belt failed at approx. 32k miles and in turn ruptured a water pipe, this was a simple fix. At 37k the anti pollution failure warning came on but a quick visit to the local Citroen dealer identified a blocked fuel filter which was quickly changed and the problem solved. I do not consider these problems to be in any way reflective of any problem with the reliability of the car which to-date has been very economical and mecanically and electically sound.

What's most practical about your car?

The most practical thing about the car is the ability to fold all the seats flat. The lack of a spare wheel is the least practical thing about the car.

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

The removable torch looks like a gimmick but has actually proved to be very useful.