Citroen Grand C4 Spacetourer Diesel Estate
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Review of the Citroen Grand C4 SpaceTourer Diesel Estate
The new Citroen Grand C4 SpaceTourer Diesel Estate is one of the most exciting large family cars in the market. It looks great, boasts a high-quality cabin, and it can ferry seven people around in style.
In fact, the only car that comes close to matching the Citroen for looks is the BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer. And despite these seemingly upmarket pretensions, it’s affordable, especially to run.
Citroen have been making cars since the end of the First World War and their name lit up the Eiffel Tower for ten years over the 1920s and 1930s. Find out more about this iconic French brand in our brief history of Citroen.
OSV takes a closer look at what it’s all about with our 2018 Citroen Grand C4 SpaceTourer Diesel Estate review.
Overview of the Citroen Grand C4 SpaceTourer Diesel Estate
On the Road
Large cars like this can often be awkward and even hard to drive but that isn’t the case here. It’s not the standout car in this sector for entertainment, but front-quarter light large windows and a wraparound panoramic windscreen ensure that it’s at least fairly easy to drive.
Moreover, all models barring the entry-level trim come with a rear parking aid.
Citroen have concentrated their efforts on making the car as comfortable as possible. To that end, its suspension setup is nice and supple and it makes light work of big bumps, smoothing them out with ease. Strangely, the car finds it harder to shrug off smaller lumps, while poorer road surfaces also present a bit of a problem.[vc_single_image image=”84753″ img_size=”article-image”]In terms of the way it drives, its handling isn’t the sharpest and there’s a fair degree of body lean when you take corners with too much enthusiasm. The steering is also super light and this can detract from your enjoyment. It’s hard to gauge when you’ve reached its limit in corners.
As long as you take it easy though, you’ll be pleased with a car that feels safe, and which comes armed with lots of grip. It’s also a car that copes well in urban settings.
In terms of its engines, there are two diesels available. A 1.6-litre engine kicks things off, and it’s available with two power outputs. The smaller of the two develops 99bhp and has a 0-62 time of 12.8 seconds, while the bigger variant produces 118bhp and cuts that 0-62 time down to 11.3 seconds. It’s quite quick when the C4 is fully loaded, and it doesn’t make too much noise.
Rounding off the range is a 2.0-litre diesel engine that covers the 0-62 dash in 9.6 seconds. It delivers its power almost in an instant, and this means that you have to make lots of gear changes just to get the best out of it. As a result, it’s a hard engine to recommend, despite the upgrade in power.
Citroen Grand C4 SpaceTourer Diesel Estate Interior, Design and Build
[vc_single_image image=”84755″ img_size=”article-image”]This car excels inside and spoils buyers with a high-quality cabin that’s an extremely pleasant place to spend your time on the road. The large windows flood you with light, visibility is excellent, and insulation is very good. All engines are quiet, wind and road noise is well suppressed, and the soft suspension setup enhances comfort.
A space-age dashboard looks easy on the eye, and it’s easily the best-looking dashboard in this class. A variety of textures, colours and shapes come together brilliantly. It’s a work of art.That said, the C4 isn’t beyond criticism. As nice as the dashboard looks, the dials could be more intuitive. Moreover, the amount of controls on the steering wheel is going to get plain confusing for some people.
Is the Citroen Grand C4 SpaceTourer Diesel Estate practical? The glovebox is a tad small, but with four storage areas, the car is going to appeal to families who find it hard to keep their car’s clean and tidy.
The driver’s seat is height adjustable, and the steering wheel adjusts for reach and rake. Legroom is good for all, and this includes anyone sat in the middle of the middle row of seats, thanks to the fact that this row is comprised of three individual chairs.
All seats in the back can recline, although this is a feature that the entry-level model misses out on.
The boot meanwhile, measures 165-litres when all the seats are up. Fold the third row and slide the second row of seats forward and the boot extends to almost 800-litres. Fold all the rear rows and it measures 2,181-litres.
Can you rely on a Citroen? Read our unbiased and honest assessment of the French manufacturer to find out more.
Equipment and Safety of the Citroen Grand C4 SpaceTourer Diesel Estate
Standard kit is good across the range. The entry model comes with a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Bluetooth, rear parking sensors, air conditioning, a digital radio and 16” alloys.
The Feel model adds bigger alloys, a height-adjustable front passenger seat, folding door mirrors, front fog lights that come with a useful cornering function, aluminium roof bars, parking sensors and a 12” HD central display screen.
The Flair model rounds things off with 18” alloys if you opt for the biggest diesel engine, a reverse camera, a hands-free tailgate, keyless entry and go and a semi-autonomous parking system.
Safety-wise, the car hasn’t been crash tested by Euro NCAP. However, it shares a lot of its parts with the smaller C4 SpaceTourer, a car that has a 5-star safety rating. Standard safety kit here includes a driver fatigue monitor, seatbelt warning lights, anti-lock brakes, tyre pressure monitoring and electronic stability control.
Costs of the Citroen Grand C4 SpaceTourer Diesel Estate
Prices for the new car start at £22,600. For more information on our leasing deals, you can check out our page here.
In terms of its running costs, the 1.6-litre BlueHDI 100hp diesel engine is the most frugal. It can return as much as 74.3mpg economy on a good day and emits less than 100g/km of CO2. This qualifies it for a BiK rating of 21%.
The bigger 120bhp variant of the same engine, meanwhile, is good for returns of 69.9mpg at best and has a BiK rating of 23%.
Rounding off the range is a 2.0-litre BlueHDI diesel engine that develops 150bhp, and which manages to return 68.9mpg. It has a BiK rating of 25%, which makes it both powerful and affordable to run.
Pros and Cons of the Citroen Grand C4 SpaceTourer Diesel Estate
Pros:
Economical
Even the strongest diesel can return over 68mpg economy on a good day, which is hugely impressive.
Good amount of standard kit
As well as a neat seven-inch infotainment system, the basic model is superbly equipped.
Top notch cabin
It’s modern and rich in quality.
Cons:
Busy steering wheel
The sheer amount of buttons are distracting and can detract from your driving experience.
Not much fun
Body lean is an issue and it isn’t the sharpest car in this sector.
Citroen Grand C4 SpaceTourer Diesel Estate vs Ford Galaxy Diesel vs SEAT Alhambra Diesel
Let’s see how the car fares against its rivals in the comparison section of our 2018 Citroen Grand C4 SpaceTourer Diesel Estate review.
Citroen Grand C4 SpaceTourer Diesel Estate vs Ford Galaxy Diesel
The new Ford Galaxy Diesel is a super versatile and practical rival to the Citroen.
Ford are known for developing cars that are good to drive, and despite its size the Galaxy is another Ford that will entertain you. It won’t entertain you like a sports car can, of course, but it’s enjoyable to drive in the main.
Ride quality is good too, the engines are quiet, and positive steering will inspire you with confidence. Body lean is well resisted and grip – especially if you specify four-wheel-drive – is impressive.[vc_single_image image=”84752″ img_size=”article-image”]In terms of its engines, a 2.0-litre TDCi is the only diesel available, but it’s offered with four different power outputs. The smallest variant develops 118bhp and is probably worth overlooking, but the mid-range model produces 148bhp and is actually the top seller. It covers the 0-62 dash in 10.9 seconds, but we suspect you’ll want to take a look at the 180bhp variant, too. It’s got more than enough power to cope with the car on a full load and can get you from rest to 62mph in 9.8 seconds.
Rounding off the range is a fast 207bhp variant of the same engine. It comes with twin-turbochargers, doesn’t make too much noise and has a 0-62 time of 8.9 seconds.
Running costs? There’s not much difference between the 118,148 and 180bhp variants when it comes to economy. All can return 55.4mpg at best, and they all emit 132g/km of CO2.
Adding four-wheel drive and the 6-speed automatic will have a negative impact on those numbers.
Inside, Ford have made the Galaxy more upmarket this time around. It’s comfortable and there’s lots of quality to be found in here. Opt for the Titanium X model and you’ll also benefit from soft leather seats.
There’s still evidence of the odd harder plastic lying around, but a modern, clean dashboard looks great and it comes with a new 8” high-res central touchscreen.
Is the Ford Galaxy Diesel practical? It’s one of the most versatile cars that money can buy in 2018. There’s room for seven adults, with even the third row offering a good amount of head and legroom. Moreover, the second row of seats slide backwards and forwards with ease.
Storage cubbies are literally everywhere, picnic tables are standard and the rear doors open wide for simple access.
The boot meanwhile, measures 300-litres when all seven seats are up. Fold the third row and it measures 1,301-litres. Fold both rear rows and it measures 2,339-litres.
Price:
Citroen – £22,600 +
Ford – £29,645 – £38,645
Citroen Grand C4 SpaceTourer Diesel Estate vs SEAT Alhambra Diesel
The new SEAT Alhambra Diesel is roomy, comes with handy sliding rear doors, and as a bonus, it’s fun to drive.
Like Ford, SEAT have a reputation for producing some of the most entertaining cars in their respective classes. And while you don’t expect much from a seven-seater, the large Alhambra drives like something a lot smaller.
Precise, well-weighted steering is the order of the day and there’s a remarkably little amount of body lean in bends.[vc_single_image image=”84745″ img_size=”article-image”]In terms of its engines, a 2.0-litre diesel is offered with either 148 or 182bhp. The former will suffice for most buyers, but there’s no doubt that the 182bhp copes better with the car on a full load.
Running costs? The 148bhp variant is the most frugal and can return 56.5mpg when paired up with a 6-speed manual gearbox. It emits 130g/km of CO2 and has a BiK rating of 28%.
The bigger diesel meanwhile, is good for 53.3mpg at best and has a BiK rating of 29%.
Inside, the Alhambra feels rather upmarket these days. Its cabin is roomy and comfortable and the dashboard is a simple, tasteful and well-presented affair. There are plenty of soft-touch materials wherever you look, and all models come with the brand’s latest Media System Plus infotainment system.
Is the SEAT Alhambra practical? It’s the only car in this review to come with sliding rear doors, while a flexible seating layout ensures that it’s one of the most family-friendly cars in the market.
Three full-size individual seats make up the second row and they slide backwards and forwards with ease, and they also recline.
Head and legroom is good, there are plenty of storage solutions dotted around the cabin, and the boot measures 268-litres when all the seats are up. Fold the third row and it extends to 658-litres. Fold both rear rows and it extends to 2,298-litres.
Price:
SEAT – £25,925
Verdict of our Citroen Grand C4 SpaceTourer Diesel Estate
It’s modern, it’s stylish and it’s spacious. As far as slick but usable people carriers go, we think Citroen have found the magic formula with this one. For the sake of comparison, it’s okay to check the competition, but we think the new Citroen Grand C4 SpaceTourer Diesel Estate has everything the modern family wants and needs.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