Citroen Grand C4 Spacetourer Estate
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Review of the Citroen Grand C4 SpaceTourer Estate
The new Citroen Grand C4 SpaceTourer Estate has evolved the C4 Picasso’s blueprint and turned into a 5/5 car. That’s a bold statement but this is a bold vehicle – it’s spacious, comfortable and super versatile.
It also looks great and has the potential to be the best car in its class.
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 Estate review.
Overview of the Citroen Grand C4 SpaceTourer Estate
On the Road
The SpaceTourer isn’t what you’d call fun to drive, but it’s comfortable and can offer a fuss-free driving experience. And for many buyers, that will be music to the ears.
Ride quality is impeccable, even if a soft suspension setup does mean that you’ll be rolling slightly in bends. Poorer road surfaces are nicely smoothed over, and because the car is armed with so much grip, you never lose your nerve as you take corners.
Road noise is a bit of an issue, and this C4 is louder than many of its seven-seater rivals. But the engines are refined and we don’t think buyers will have too many complaints on this front.[vc_single_image image=”84754″ img_size=”article-image”]In terms of its engines, petrols are still not massively popular in this sector. However, Citroen anticipates that will all change in a few years from now, and have added a solitary petrol power plant to their otherwise mostly diesel line-up.
This petrol unit is a small turbocharged PureTech 130 model that produces 129bhp. It can be paired up with either a 6-speed manual transmission or a 6-speed automatic and has a 0-62 time of 10.8 seconds.
We like the automatic gearbox. It’s an EAT6 transmission the shifter of which is mounted on the steering column. This actually frees up a bit more storage space, and while it can be slow to respond sometimes, it’s smooth and suits the engine well.
If you’re at all tempted by the diesels, we’ve reviewed those separately here. There are two available – a 1.6-litre and a 2.0-litre unit – with the former able to get the car from rest to 62mph in 9.6 seconds.
However, that engine requires you to work it hard, and unless you’re a high mileage driver, the petrol is a good fit for this seven-seater.
Citroen Grand C4 SpaceTourer Estate Interior, Design and Build
[vc_single_image image=”84755″ img_size=”article-image”]This is one of the most exciting cabins you’ll see in a mainstream seven-seater. It’s stylish and spacious, fresh and modern.
It’s also not short of quality, with Citroen using plenty of soft-touch materials. However, if you want a leather interior, you’ll need to pay an extra £2,000.
A large glass area floods the interior with lots of light and creates an airy feel, while the armchair-esque front seats are super comfortable.Meanwhile, the dashboard is dominated by a fully customisable 12” TFT colour screen that sits high up. Below it sits a seven-inch touchscreen that takes care of your climate control, sat-nav and more. It’s not the fastest screen we’ve ever seen, but it’s easy to live with. Moreover, this is a very modern cabin filled with tech that’s designed to make your life as simple as possible on the road.
Is the Citroen Grand C4 SpaceTourer Estate practical? The driver’s seat offers plenty of adjustability, while the steering wheel adjusts for rake and reach. Visibility is fantastic and there are plenty of practical touches throughout the cabin.
The C4 Picasso was itself a large car, and while this one is no bigger in length, its wheelbase has been stretched so that it can offer more legroom for the rear passengers. The middle row is comprised of three individual seats that slide back and forth, and they each come with ISOFIX child mount points.
With all seats up, the boot measures 165-litres. Fold the third row and that increases to almost 800-litres while folding all rear seats gives you a total capacity of 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 Estate
Standard kit is generous, with the entry-level model getting air conditioning, 16” alloys, a digital radio, rear parking sensors, a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system and Bluetooth.
The Feel model nets you larger alloys, a 12” HD central display screen, a height-adjustable front passenger seat, aluminium roof bars, parking sensors, folding door mirrors, and front fog lights that come with a useful cornering function.
The range-topping Flair model finishes things off with a reversing camera, a semi-autonomous parking system, a hands-free tailgate, and keyless entry and go.
In terms of how safe the car is, it hasn’t been yet crash tested by Euro NCAP. Its standard safety kit includes electronic stability control, driver fatigue monitor, anti-lock brakes, tyre pressure monitoring and seatbelt warning lights.
Costs of the Citroen Grand C4 SpaceTourer 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 only petrol engine in the range is a 1.2-litre PureTech unit that produces 128bhp and returns as much as 56.5mpg on a good day. It’s, therefore, a sprightly and economical engine that should appeal to low mileage drivers. It also has a very reasonable BiK rating of 22%.
Insurance-wise, the petrol Grand C4 SpaceTourer occupies group 18 out of 50.
Pros and Cons of the Citroen Grand C4 SpaceTourer Estate
Pros:
Airy cabin
A large glass area means its spacious cabin feels very cool on those hotter days.
Comfortable
Seven people won’t be complaining about the ride in this people carrier.
Versatile
The seating arrangement is flexible enough to accommodate all your passengers with ease, and it’s easy to fold rows of seats for more boot space.
Cons:
Slow 12” TFT colour screen
It’s fully customisable but it can be a bit slow to react.
No safety rating
It’s yet to be put through its paces by the Euro NCAP crash test, although we expect a 5-star safety rating.
Citroen Grand C4 SpaceTourer Estate vs Ford Galaxy vs SEAT Alhambra
Let’s see how the car fares against its rivals in the comparison section of our 2018 Citroen Grand C4 SpaceTourer Estate review.
Citroen Grand C4 SpaceTourer Estate vs Ford Galaxy
The new Ford Galaxy isn’t quite as sharp-looking as the Citroen, but it’s comfortable, safe and got plenty of room for seven people.
It’s actually the biggest car in this sector, and while this would usually lead to an awkward driving experience, that isn’t the case here. That said, this new Galaxy isn’t as engaging as last time, with Ford’s latest platform causing division among buyers who wanted another entertaining people carrier.
This time around, Ford have focused their efforts on comfort. To that end, it’s a success. Moreover, grip and stability are excellent.[vc_single_image image=”84752″ img_size=”article-image”]In terms of its engines, a pair of turbocharged petrol engines lead the way. A 1.5-litre unit kicks things off, developing 158bhp and covering the 0-62 dash in 10.0 seconds.
Next up is a meatier 2.0-litre engine that develops 238bhp, and which has a 0-62 time of 8.6 seconds. These are decent engines, but the diesels will account for most of the sales.
Running costs? The 1.5-litre petrol engine is good for returns of 43.5mpg at best while emitting 149g/km of CO2. The 2.0-litre engine can manage returns of 35.8mpg on a good day and emits 180g/km.
Inside, Ford have blessed the new model with better quality materials than last time. It now looks very modern and buyers will appreciate the likes of chunky brushed aluminium trim that give it a premium vibe.
All models come with an 8” high-res central touchscreen system as standard, but the entry-level model misses out on sat-nav. And while the Ford has a full-length panoramic sunroof that floods the cabin with as much light as the Citroen, it’s only available as an optional extra.
Is the Ford Galaxy practical? As mentioned, it’s the largest car in this class, and this allows it to accommodate seven people very well. The third row of seats is aimed at children but adults can sit there for shorter trips, and a versatile seating system is really easy to operate.
The boot meanwhile, measures 300-litres when all seven seats are up and 2,339-litres when both rear rows are folded.
Price:
Citroen – £22,600 +
Ford – £31,010 +
Citroen Grand C4 SpaceTourer Estate vs SEAT Alhambra
[vc_column_inner width=”1/2″]The new SEAT Alhambra is roomy and versatile, but compared to the Citroen it looks bland.
Blandness isn’t something you normally associate with SEAT, and the Alhambra’s driving experience goes some way to redeeming itself. It drives like a smaller car, and it’s the most entertaining car in this review.
It works well as a motorway cruiser, while its precise steering is what helps to make it so engaging. The fact that the Alhambra holds its weight so low down also helps, while a grippy chassis is exactly what you need in a big car like this. And despite being rather fun, it’s quite comfortable, too.[vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”84745″ img_size=”article-image”]On the other hand, body lean is a bit of a problem in bends.
In terms of its engines, there is only one petrol engine on offer. This is a 1.4-litre TSI unit that sprints from 0-62 in less than 10.0 seconds. It feels quite fast for a car of this size and can go even faster if you swap the 6-speed manual transmission for a DSG dual-clutch automatic.
However, it doesn’t have as much pulling power in reserve as the larger diesels.
Running costs? The sole petrol engine will struggle to return over 43mpg on a regular basis, and it’s very much an engine for low mileage drivers.
Inside, the Alhambra is a pleasanter place than its dull exterior might have suggested. Its dashboard shares the same fuss-free, straightforward layout with the rest of the SEAT family. This means simple controls and good build quality.
It’s a shame that a 6.5” touchscreen is only optional, and even once you’ve specified it, it’s a bit underwhelming. It looks plain and it’s hard to get the hang of.
Other than that, buyers will probably wish the SEAT was a bit more colourful inside.
Is the SEAT Alhambra practical? This is where it excels. It’s extremely spacious, and despite having room for seven seats it feels airy and light.
The third row is best for kids only, but the second row of seats offers plenty of leg and headroom for all. It’s comprised of three individual seats that can slide back and forth and recline.
The boot meanwhile, measures 266-litres with all seven seats up but has a total capacity of 2,298-litres when you fold the second and third row.
Price:
SEAT – £25,925
Verdict of our Citroen Grand C4 SpaceTourer Estate Review
Big cars used to serve just one purpose, and while the Grand C4’s main remit is still to ferry seven people from A to B, it’s a lot more than just another large people and load lugger.
For one thing, it’s gorgeous to look at, and for another, it boasts a top-notch, modern cabin. The new Citroen Grand C4 SpaceTourer Estate is also practical, refined, comfortable – and a very assured buy.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