We headed to Dunne Motor Services in South Dublin to have a look at a 2014 Citroen C4 Picasso. Dunne Motor Services are an AA Approved Garage, so this Citroen C4 Picasso comes with 12 months free Breakdown Rescue and a 101-point check. We wanted to see if this was a good family bargain!
What is the Citroen C4 Picasso?
The Citroen C4 Picasso is a larger, more family-oriented car from the French manufacturer. It is a 7-seater, with a huge boot and plenty of storage space around the cabin. It has a typically great Citroen suspension, with enough power from the 1.6l diesel engine to get you around.
How much does it cost to run a Citroen C4 Picasso?
Fuel economy
The C4 Picasso is a big vehicle, so will not be as efficient as a smaller saloon style car. However, for the amount of space inside, it will do quite well. It will likely be easier on fuel than many of its SUV equivalents. If you’re doing lots of longer trips, then the 1.6 Diesel model may well be the best option for you. Although it has a quoted 71mpg consumption figure, you’ll only get this in ideal circumstances. Think something more like 40mpg in general.
Don’t forget that if you want to reduce your fuel costs, you can download the AA App here. You don’t even have to be a member. Just use the App at the counter in a participating Circle K garage and you will get a 3c per litre discount!
Tax & Insurance
Tax will also be quite cheap at €190 for the 1.6l version we tested. This is quite cheap considering the size and amount of space you get inside.
The C4 Picasso is not exactly a sports car, and your insurance is likely to be quite reasonable due to the relatively low power output and reasonable value of the car. If you are interested in finding out how much it would cost to insure then you can get a quote from us here!
Is the Citroen C4 Picasso spacious?
Absolutely! There is a huge amount of space and storage inside the C4 Picasso. It really is a fantastic choice for a family with 3 or 4 children.
You can set up the Picasso as a 7-seater that will still have enough space in the boot to accommodate the weekly shop. Alternatively, fold down the back row and leave yourself with a gigantic boot that will easily take a couple of buggies, and all the bags you need to bring on a short staycation in Ireland.
There are also loads of cubby holes and storage spots for those things you need to keep in the car to keep the family happy.
Spec and finish inside
The C4 Picasso has a nice finish. It’s not full luxury, but there is enough there to keep most people happy. We were testing a high spec model, so there were plenty of creature comforts such as cruise control and electric windows all around. There was a huge panoramic roof that let’s in lots of light. The seats were partial leather. We also had automatic climate control.
There may be more luxurious options out there, but they cost so much more than the Citroen. As a blend of quality with a reasonable price tag, the Citroen is a winner.
What is the Citroen C4 Picasso like to drive?
Our test car had the Automatic gear box which was working nicely. There were no strange noises or knocking sounds. It’s not particularly responsive and a little slow to shift between gears. However, in the Citroen’s defence, this is not built for the race track. It’s built for hauling around families, and it does that rather well.
We were testing the 1.6l Diesel. It has enough power to get you up to speed, yet is small enough not to be too heavy on fuel. The automatic gearbox makes it that little bit easier to live with and drive around, especially in slow-moving traffic.
One of the best parts of driving a Citroen is the suspension. It is very comfortable. The dampers work a treat ironing out those imperfections in the road, and it will take ramps with ease. And when the little ones are asleep in the back…this is exactly what you want!
Why buy an AA Approved Car?
AA Approved garages such as Dunne Motor Services where we tested this Citroen are inspected before being allowed onto our programme. They have to meet a certain quality to be accepted. If they don’t continue to meet our standards, they will be removed.
Each AA Approved car that is sold comes with a 101-point check. For added peace of mind, you get 12 months free Breakdown Rescue when you buy an AA Approved car. You can learn more about the programme here.
