What turbo petrol car should I replace my higher torque diesel cars with?

What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks

What turbo petrol car should I replace my higher torque diesel cars with?

I want to replace our two diesel cars (a Citroen C4 Grand Picasso and a Citroen C3 Picasso) with just one petrol car. The Ford Grand C-MAX looks ideal for our needs (short urban trips and occasional motorway journeys) but the only petrol options are all 1.0-litre turbocharged units. I see that they are a lot lighter (150kg) than the diesel versions, which will help performance; but they have considerably less torque - 170Nm as compared to 370Nm, so presumably will require more gear changes. As we do not intend to tow, are there any downsides to these engines?

Asked on 30 January 2017 by Terry Ashbridge

Answered by Honest John

We weren't aware that Ford had dropped the 1.5 T EcoBoost 130 in the C-MAX (Ford doesn't announce such things). But the best mid-sized petrol engined MPV is the Citroen C4 Picasso 1.2 PureTech 130 that has 230NM torque and even pulls the EAT6 torque converter automatic very well.

Tags: torque convertor petrol or diesel? buying and selling petrol engines consumer advice

Dear Honest John,

Please help me choose my next car. I would like it to have:

Similar questions

Which automatic car has the best engine - the 1.5-litre Mazda 2 or the 1.2-litre Peugeot 208/Citroen C3?

I have been following what you have said about the best small engines and automatics and I'm stuck between choosing the Citroen C3/Peugeot 208 Puretech petrol 1.2 110PS with the auto EAT6 gearbox and the...

What estate should I buy to replace my Citroen C5 Tourer?

I am looking to replace my 2009 Citroen C5 VTR+ Tourer 140 HDI with one that is 2 or 3 years old. I travel 8000 miles a year, 30% in town and the balance on motorways. I recently started using Millers...

What small estates have a proper torque converter automatic gearbox?

I have run Ford Focus 1.6 petrol auto estates for many years and have found them to be durable with few problems. The time has come to change again, but I now understand that the auto gearbox available...

Related models

Citroen C3 Picasso (2009 - 2017)

Decently practical and spacious. Good load capacity. Panoramic front screen with no blindspots.

Citroen Grand C4 Picasso (2007 - 2013)

Good value seven-seat people carrier. Immensely versatile. Easy to drive, good view out for all passengers. Three Isofix fittings across the centre seats.