Citroen C4 Picasso (2013 – 2018) Review

Citroen C4 Picasso (2013 – 2018) At A Glance

3/5
Honest John Overall Rating
Although it only has five seats, the Citroen C4 Picasso is a great family MPV and makes a sound alternative to a hatchback or an SUV.

+Five individual seats. Impressive ride comfort. Large boot. 1.2-litre 130PS engine with auto is a fine choice.

-Clunky manual gearchange. Automated manual transmission can be jerky. Some poor quality trim.

Insurance Groups are between 14–25
On average it achieves 70% of the official MPG figure

Good looking and with a sprinkle of quirkiness, the Citroen C4 Picasso works well as a practical alternative to the usual hatch or SUV picks. The engine range is decent, but there are only five seats in this form and the build quality trails the likes of the Toyota Verso or extremely solid Volkswagen Touran. Read on for our full Citroen C4 Picasso review.

Citroen was, and to some extent remains, one of the champions of the MPV. The Citroen Xsara Picasso started it all in 2000 and soldiered on for what seemed forever (until 2010 amazingly). 

But a lot changed in those 10 years as Citroen shook off its ‘value’ tag. The likes of the DS3 helped and so did the Citroen Xsara Picasso’s replacement, the Citroen C4 Picasso. This allowed the new Citroen C4 Picasso to take on the likes of the Ford C-MAX, Toyota Verso and Volkswagen Touran in ways the old Xsara model could never have hoped to.

The Citroen C4 Picasso certainly got the styling right, especially from the front with its smooth look and slim LED daytime running lights giving it a cutting-edge appearance. It’s very different from other MPV designs, yet is unmistakably a Citroen with an added premium feel.

What’s most important for an MPV is practicality and space. Citroen C4 Picassos have always had three separate full-sized sliding and folding rear seats, each fitted with Isofix tethers.

When it comes to family-focused people carriers, Citroen has long been a top contender. The Citroen C4 Picasso was good enough to help the company rid itself of the budget reputation it once had, with big leaps forward in quality and design.

Yet it kept the elements of practicality, space and user-friendliness that have attracted so many buyers before. It looks a real winner as a family MPV even now as a used buy.

Ask Honest John

The windscreen washer jets on my Citroen are non-adjustable but don't reach the screen, what can I do?

"l have a Citroen C4 Picasso. The washers when spraying only just spray onto the bottom of screen. I have looked but there is no way to adjust them like the old type. Is there any way to get them to spray further up the windscreen?"
Unfortunately these washer jets cannot be adjusted in the normal way, and this is an issue commonly experienced by owners. Because the jets cannot be adjusted an inaccurate spray pattern is usually due to a blockage, so we would suggest disconnecting the feed lines and flushing out the system. It may also be possible to adjust the entire jet in its mounting to redirect the spray. Alternatively some owners have replaced the standard washer jets with those from the older Citroen Xantia, which are the adjustable type.
Answered by David Ross

Is a cam belt covered under an extended warranty?

"I am looking to buy an eight-year-old Citroen C4 Picasso from a main dealer. The cam belt hasn't been changed and the dealer says it is not due until 10 years. The car comes with a 12-month warranty, will this cover the cambelt if it breaks?"
The cam belt is a serviceable item and is considered 'wear and tear' under most warranty policies. Therefore, if the belt failed, it most likely would not be covered by the warranty. You do have legal rights, the 2015 Consumer Rights Act allows you to claim against the dealer if the belt failed within the first six months. But I would not recommend buying an eight-year-old car that's still running on its original belt. Tell the dealer you want the cam belt change to be included in the deal or you will find another car for sale.
Answered by Dan Powell

Can you recommend a reliable car with soft suspension?

"I'm a retired man looking for a reliable, automatic car under £10,000. I need something with soft suspension as I have a very bad back and vibration makes it worse. I would also like to be able to see the bonnet as well because these new invisible drop-down bonnets drive me mad. I'm not worried about fuel economy or tax, it's the ride that matters most. So if I have to buy a barge, so be it. I've tried a few cars to no avail and was wondering if you might have some suggestions. Many thanks and kind regards."
We'd recommend a Citroen C4 Cactus. It's a very comfortable choice with good visibility and a reliable automatic gearbox. Also, consider the slightly smaller Citroen C3 – both focus on comfort with excellent results. Alternatively, a larger SUV like a Honda CR-V could be a good choice. We'd recommend the 2.0-litre petrol engine.
Answered by Andrew Brady

We need a family car that'll fit three child seats. What should we look at?

"We need a car to fit three child car seats and a boot to take all the family clobber. We want a petrol and have less than £10,000 to spend."
We'd recommend a Citroen Grand C4 Picasso. It's a versatile choice capable of taking three child seats side-by-side in the back. Petrol models are rare but you should find one with the 1.2 Puretech engine within budget. Alternatively, consider a SEAT Alhambra or the slightly smaller Volkswagen Touran.
Answered by Andrew Brady
More Questions

What does a Citroen C4 Picasso (2013 – 2018) cost?