Been back a couple of weeks now, but thought was worth the thread.
Had a C4 Grand Picasso as hire car for holiday in Spain with wife, 2 daughter and parents, although parents drove down in their Volvo had this as was reasonable cheap (EUR 300) and meant only having to take one car if all went out together.
No idea on engine or spec as had no manual or badges, but engine was very pokey diesel, so must have been the 2 litre (EGS box gave it away too) and colour changing screen, climate, cruise control made me think upper range model.
First off the dislike. Mum and wife thought it wasn't that comfortable, as the ride was quite firm (although was quite quick so guess needed sportier set up).
Biggest gripe for me was the steering. OK, it's an MPV, but was far too light and had zero feedback. Didn't feel at all confident trying the limits (when on own) even though would probably have been ok- but is a big car and roads where we were were very narrow and twisty.
Access to the rear was not that brilliant, despite the middle row having a lot of adjustment. Didn't want baby seat in back so was only my 5 year old in the 'boot' but was easier for her to climb in through the boot.
On drive home electronic fuel guage was infuriating. Was a take away full and return empty deal, and was hard to guage how much fuel was left. Put 2 lots of EUR 5 diesel in, but didnt register on kms left or guage flashing away- but made it back with 45 kms to empty showing.
Final gripe was that was too dark and 'germanic' inside. Have always liked French interiors for lack of black plastic- but this one had too much black in the interior.
Onto the plus points.
Obviously space was a major one, as well as the flexibility of the seating. 7 individual seats, front 2 adjusted all directions, and even the armrests were on a ratchet system so could be adjusted to suit passenger and driver. Middle row adjustable fore and aft and seat back could be reclined.
EGS system was brilliant. Simple to use, with Reverse, Neutral, Auto and Manual on a column shift. Manual seemed pointless as in Auto mode the changes were made according to driving style, lot of throttle and would hold the revs, light throttle and quick to change up, and quickly reacted to changing needs- couldn't seem to catch it out. Coupled to the auto handbrake was a simple system to use, come to a halt press a button to disengage, then press throttle to disengage.
Engine was a corker, lot of power and seemed quite economical. Ideal for motorway cruising. Cruise control was easy to use, showing set speed on dash and +/- buttons to adjust on wheel.
Lots of cubby holes, and drinks bin with air con, although they were bit small, would have preferred less of them, but bigger.
Panoramic windscreen was a major boon with high Euro traffic lights (side ones were hard to see, so could push visor back and look up if at front of queue. Also great for airy feeling inside, and sliding roof could be brought forward when got too sunny.
Overall thought was a fantastic car, and clearly designed by someone who knew their target audiences needs. Is a car I would love to have, but my wife doubts would be good for us as did have a high step to get in, which would not suit her mum with a bad hip, and travels with us quite regularly.
My 5 year old loved it too, especially sitting in the boot.
Edited by Webmaster on 12/06/2008 at 01:40
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Nice, informative review.
Was quite surprised to read about the firm ride. Even French performance cars normally ride better than comfort oriented German models.
Low profile tyres/big alloys perhaps? Or really carp roads?
I've tried this engine in a 407 and agree with every superlative. It's a corker.
Cheers
DP
Edited by DP on 12/06/2008 at 00:37
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The EGS seems to divide opinion quite sharply. Anyone thinking of a Picasso should make sure they get a good long, preferably 24-hour at least, test drive.
Anything semi-automatic like this needs to be tried in crawling traffic and in parking in a tight space, as some can be jerky (I haven't personally tried a Picasso so I'm not saying that this is a particular offender).
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Hi Avant,
This is only the second auto I have ever driven, the first was former bosses Mitsubishi Shogun, thought that was dreadful, and stuck to manuals since then.
Had plenty of experience of low speed manoeuvring, including underground Spanish car parks (very very tight, 90 degree bends with no extra room for cornering, slippy floors and virtually no lighting), and had no problems at all. In one car park did have to park in 2 moves, but would have been the same in a manual as room was so tight.
I would guess the throttle is electronically controlled too (seems to be on my Xsara). At very low speeds it was very easy to creep forward on a light throttle without any jerkiness. Really liked this system, and in all honesty think would prefer to have a car with this system (although would have to be as good).
One other thing I forgot to say, for some reason when I first picked the car up I was using my left foot for braking. No idea why, is this a regular thing for people swapping to autos from manuals.
In fact would say it was a testament to the car, that I hadn't thought of it until I saw Avants comments.
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In answer to DP, did have big alloys and tyres, wheels were 17 inch alloys, although have forgotten tyre size, pretty sure was 215s, but could have been 235s. Dad and I were discussing it as were same size as his Volvo.
Roads were combination of occassionally good, mostly bad and far too many ugly. A lot of the mountain roads were dictated by geography, so very tight, but same prinicple seemed to apply in urban areas. A lot of junctions were 90 degree, with little or no curves, especially in the older towns.
Also forgot to say, one of the best things on the car were sunblinds built into the door. A lot sturdier than the shop bought ones, and could have them up with window down as attached to the inner door frame. Funnily enough, my girls tend to pull the stick on blinds off the windows in own car, but neither of them spotted the blinds in the C4. Also had one in the boot.
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