People movers. Once upon a time buying one pretty much told the world that you had given up on the idea of fun and had fully embraced the idea of functional. They were a sensible mode of transport for people who, when asked what kind of car they drove answered with the colour.
However, that has all changed in the last few years. That is not because people movers have become fresh and exciting, with fantastic dynamics and brilliant styling. Nope, people simply stopped buying them.
So why is Citroen bothering with a new Picasso? Well, because it actually is very good to drive and looks brilliant…
What is it?
Well, let’s not beat around the bush here, it IS a people mover and all that that description entails. It has lots of seats, loads of space and plenty of clever features to make it even more functional to cart around a whole bunch of people and their stuff.
Citroen’s local distributor Sime Darby are bringing the seven-seat Grand C4 Picasso in to the country in two different guises: the $42,990 Seduction and the $49,990 Intensive.
Both come with Citroen’s 110kW/370Nm 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder BlueHDi diesel engine hooked up to a six-speed automatic transmission.
The Seduction model gets 17-inch alloy wheels as standard, along with LED daytime running lights, cruise control, Bluetooth connectivity, satellite navigation, a reversing camera, dual-zone air conditioning, front fog lights with a cornering function, electrically adjustable heated and folding wing mirrors, six airbags, a multi-function steering wheel and a 7-inch touch screen.
The Intensive gets all that plus 18-inch alloy wheels, a 360-degrees top-down camera parking system, a parking assist system, half-leather seating, roof rails, rear sun blinds, a conversation mirror and hands-free access and start.
Options include a panoramic glass roof ($1,500), a digital radio system ($500), a motorised tailgate, xenon headlights and a “Serenity pack” that includes adaptive cruise control nd lane departure warning ($1,500 each – Intensive only).
What’s it like?
Rather good indeed.
Climbing aboard the Picasso is an experience similar to that of any number of people movers – open, spacious and with impressive visibility – but fire it up and get underway and there things depart from the stereotype, with the Picasso being eager, lithe and remarkably responsive.
The diesel engine is a wonderfully strong and flexible unit, while the six-speed auto is fast and slick. The real surprise comes when you tip it into a corner though; here it is sharp and assured, betraying no sense of the size and height that is behind – and above – you.
On the road the Picasso is remarkably quiet, impressively refined and blatantly comfortable, defying its surprising competence in the corners.
The interior layout is wonderfully quirky, but largely sensible – apart form a few obvious indicators to the Picasso’s left hand drive origins. Outside the Picasso is remarkably handsome, sporting a modern take on the traditionally restricted people mover styling. The double-decked lights and split A-pillars are particularly effective at the front, with the latter also allowing for spectacular front visibility from the inside.
What’s good about it?
Rather a lot – the looks, the comfort, the refinement, the ride and handling an, not least of all, the level of standard spec on both models.
The engine and transmission are particular highlights and the interior visibility is truly spectacular.
What’s not so good?
While Citroen’s designers have taken a pleasantly minimalist route with the Grand Picasso’s interior, it does leave quite a lot of blank space to be filled up with plastic dash. While it is all very high quality plastic, there is a lot of it…
And while the split level display in the centre of the dash looks fantastic, having to constantly look to your left while driving is annoying.
First impressions?
The Grand C4 Picasso is a particularly impressive entrant into the people mover segment. Regardless of whether or not it is a segment worth entering into anymore…
Still, if there are customers out there who want a people mover, then the Grand C4 Picasso should have little trouble flushing them out. After all, it has all the features you could want in a people mover and then some. Plus it also comes with a number of important features not typically associated with the segment; decent handling and sensational looks.
Models/prices
Seduction – $42,990
Intensive – $49,990
Powertrain
2.0-litre inline four-cylinder diesel producing 110kW/370Nm; six-speed automatic transmission; front-wheel drive.
Fuel consumption: 4.5l/100km (Seduction), 4.6L/100km (Intensive)
CO2 emissions: 117g/km (Seduction), 120g/km (Intensive)
Safety
ANCAP/EuroNCAP rating: 5 Star
Air bags: 6
Stability control: yes
Lap/diagonal belts: 7
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