Although opinions at home seriously divided i think'm certainly not look boring from the outside

New job, new car. If I wanted to settle for a Citroen C4 Grand Picasso as a precursor? No problem. Although opinions at home seriously divided i think'm certainly not look boring from the outside. In fact, in my opinion puts the exterior design in terms of the rest of the MPV to the crown. Certainly in white. After more than six years (35,000 kilometers), it is time to take stock.

The exterior is a high flyer, the inside is a different story - so the family will find unanimous. The incredibly beautiful, centrally atop the dash-mounted HD screen is like a flag on a mud barge. Excusez. It seems that the real inspiration was largely after drawing the outside. The dashboard stings like a fat lip in the interior and the rib which pulls away at the lower right direction, optical supports the central display that allows you to operate include the radio, ventilation and navigators. But that support is done or on his French, because the finish is only so-so with a gap between screen and rib as a result. Moreover, the money was clear after assembling it crystal clear display on the dashboard, because the copy that is embedded in the lip, the resolution and clarity of the 4 year old Samsung Galaxy Young where our youngest belt: it could be better. Not only in terms of the number of pixels is not a landmark, but there also seems to be about a kind of slight haze which continues to irritate. Elsewhere in the car is clear why this Frenchman is so competitively priced. The materials are often just not say anything too weakly structured, just too loose fitted something, that kind of things you only notice when you touch them.

The seats look 'different', with a job that seems to hug the tasty generous sitting in an arm. Unfortunately, you do not feel embraced in the seats. Who sits up, gets much support at the level of the shoulder, but looking for support for the lower back. The headrests are adjustable contrast, tasty and generous fine. Take not the luxury head restraints if you are taller than 1.90 meters: its side stand as wings inwards so you can lay it to rest between your head. Looks fine, but they sting when tall people especially in the shoulders.

The operation of the automation on board, only on the right, briefly (touch) screen. I can not be friends with. Adjusting the temperature is cumbersome (the air con is not oversized), and by the time you found recirculated air behind a smelly van, have you been long and wide at home. The same applies to the search for another music channel (audio sounds fine otherwise!), Operating the navigation (the route is difficult to read, the voice guidance top!) And adjusting the general settings. It takes too much time and is not practical. Real, physical buttons are really better. And that knowing the French, because the steering wheel is littered with them. That is not so convenient, although the option to go with a scroll wheel as fast through your recent destinations, zoom in or you view recent calls list, which in turn is indeed.

And then the interference that gives the electronics ... Not only am I lost all institutions with some regularity, I regularly receive incorrect error messages (the tailgate is open, the belt is loose, the airbag is deactivated ...), I drive by the navi arranged through the meadows alongside the highway are the two screens as 1 to 2 times per week in full (on the speedometer after) out - to report cheerfully after a minute. Navi and radio do it in that time. And the phone call that you supplied is gone. According to my garage to get this car. Yes. That's what they really said!

The ride comfort is fine contrast. Okay, as long as you drive on well-maintained roads and not turn too soon, then. Otherwise squeaks and resonates the C4 (under the dashboard) that it is a delight. But he drives more smoothly. Filters bumps nice way, is quite stable and the engine does its work in peace. In addition, he goes straight incidentally rather than that "he makes a turn, but I find no big point. The all-weather tires mounted underneath my car noisemakers and lack grip, but that can not be charged Citroën.

The fine 120hp strong diesel under the hood has sufficient torque to drive along thoughtlessly with the traffic and makes the Grand Picasso no drinking farmer. In the Ardennes all can not hold on, but I do not need first to be up. Much more important is that "he is beautiful and downright super stop-start system that I have enjoyed in traffic. If you are a bit careful, you can according to the onboard computer best one to drive it 20. It now appears that the pump (just under) 1 to be 17, but that is a great value and is in line with consumption of my previous car; the Prius Wagon.

Less good is the placement of the folding tables in the back of the front seats. For small children, they sit at a perfect height, but mine are largely outgrown diapers and sitting there with their knees against it as well as the third row is used. And if we still have on the back: that is wide enough for three teenagers and is comprised of sitting furniture. However, folding (or down) of the seats every time a struggle (etje) and the belts of the outboard seats are only easy for grabs if you open the door.

As I read back the above, it looks like the C4 Grand Picasso is a crappy car. That is not the case. But he is afflicted with a whole slew of small and sometimes larger bad habits where they really a good time should look at Citroën. Then it could be simply a must! I myself must have a month or 4 wait for my final car comes and another colleague with the C4 may continue. I sing it out.
New round, new opportunities (67 451 km)

After my car did not want to lock (via remote control or manually with the key), the leasing company decided it was enough. My Citroen was therefore Monday exchanged last week for a new car: again a Citroen C4 Grand Picasso. Was the previous black in color, it is blue. Otherwise identical in terms of performance. With less mileage. But apart almost as old.

What stands out?
- The tires on my new car is quieter and stiffer. The all-weather tires have been replaced by a set of Bridgestones. This is the steering feel clear as well. No, still no bend knight who Fransoos. But he feels noticeably more at ease on the cloverleaf.
- The resonances that I had in my previous C4 Grand Pricasso are much more dominantly present in this instance.
- The operation of the air conditioning on hot days really the minimum side. Especially in urban environments with low speeds and a lot of traffic you chug it all quickly.
- Also in this Grand C4 Picasso is the dashboard of: the past week has already happened once. It apparently so really belongs to this model ...
- The materials used are not resistant to (probably) intensive use (my predecessor). I noted in my previous review all that I had reservations, at this Grand Tourer is the 'aluminum look' already peeling gearshift surround ...
Farewell (76 501 km)

In two weeks I have to renounce this Citroën. Thanks to several trips to Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic, I still quite fast these weeks of kilometers can make. Time to make the final balance.

What's good:
- Beautiful, sharp screen on top of the dashboard.
- Large trunk.
- Excellent performance engine.
- Excellent start-stop. Engine stays long break, start is almost vibration-free.
- Wonderfully comfortable (apart from the seats).
- Extended windscreen groooote awnings.
- Two USB connections and socket for charging your phone. Top!!!
- Sound standard audio system.
- Generous equipment (including easy entry).
- Headrests can fine high. Applies only to those substances copies!
- More than enough place up front.
- Attractive design type (in my opinion the best car in its segment).
- Excellent voice guided navigation
- Space on 2nd row and 3rd row is not used.
- Power consumption in normal driving on congested routes (1 in 16.5).
- Silence on board (excluding the engine).
- Own adjustable vents for 2nd row.
- Operation Cruise control: very logical button operation.
- Last destinations quickly retrievable.
- Call list quickly retrievable.

What is adequate:
- Road holding (he drives wonderfully straight, curves are less 'thing').
- Seating on 2nd row and 3rd row is sometimes used.
- Consumption when Germany is firmer drove (1 in 11).
- Visibility around.
- Operating from the steering wheel (useful functions, but too many buttons).
- Speed navigation.

What could be better:
- Slightly engine rumble at constant speeds (audio out).
- Design interior - taste issue.
- My wife will engage the clutch 'worthless'. You know. I myself have no problem with.
- Quality microphone to call. Quite a few remarks about receiving. Dull, far away.
- Entering postcodes in navigating is not possible.
- Entering POIs.
- Lower screen: not so sharp, it seems there is a haze.
- Turning circle.
- Seat rear seats is relatively short.
- Too bad you can not get this car without tables behind the front seats. His ruimtevreters.
- Position (of the very strong) cup holders: you have to reach too far.

Where they must quickly Citroen to get started:
- Amount creaks, rattles.
- Used materials. Looks good, but in practice not so solid.
- Shape of the front seats: too little support in the lower back, too top.
- Squeaky pedals; especially the coupling sigh.
- Braking distance - both all-weather tires and summer tires on. That competition is doing really better. Especially with the whole family on board the extra steps not fine.
- Upholstery chairs is quite contagious (white jobs) and the black parts look soon grubby and 'washed' out.
- Upholstery (substance) of the seats leave you sweating in your suit. No bother if I have jeans ...
- Readability of the navigation system. The route is displayed with a thin blue line.
- Direct coupling between the lower and upper screen. Ergo: you actually see two times the same, but in a different guise. Better would be: top navi, including audio / climate / phone - or vice versa - etc.).
- New Picasso's recently come without the cover plates between the 2nd and the 3rd zitzij. That is to dig the umbrellas and shopping.
- Parking Sensors work with a small delay. Not convenient.

What is absolutely worthless:
- Ease (sic!) Of home automation. Ordinary buttons work much faster.
- Adjust temperature (or radio)? Call? Then you immediately lose your navigation screen.
- Number of crashes of the (software) automation. Though: in my 2nd Picasso I "only" had two crashes, one near Munich when I came to a large node ...
- Resona Ties behind the dashboard at low speeds.
- Annoying rattling of the wipers in the latter part of their swipe. Only on the highway (> 110 km / h). Works very tiring. Garage was not resolved.
- Operation air conditioning on hot days is really below par in the city, especially for a traffic light. On the highway it is fine if you're driving alone. With the whole family on board it is then very thin.

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Am I going to miss this car? No. The kids yearn for the Prius Wagon. I look forward to my new car: a BMW 2 Gran Tourer. I fully realize that this car has a very different level and I also expect there affiliating quality. But the quality of these cars (and I mean the one that I drive now) is to my standards below average and similar to my tear-jerking experience with the Renault Grand Scénic.

Had this been my own car, I had become genuinely sad about the quality of this voiture. Or as my wife yesterday summed up so well after a ride family in Friesland: He does not have 80,000 kilometers on the clock, but he drives like a car that has traveled four times.

What is unfortunate is that the negatives outweigh the (many) positives in gravity. I really feel that this Citroen C4 Grand Picasso potentially has put down a very good car, but I feel that there is just invested too little in the last dotting the 'i'.
Epilogue (77 549 km)

The Citrofielen who have taken my review on the grain, I recommend to not just continue reading. But the last two weeks - the car will return Monday to the fleet manager - put an exclamation mark behind my earlier findings and the family almost shun these C4 Grand Picasso. What did two weeks Limburg?

- Three retirements of automation;
- An air conditioner that did not blow harder until 2 times than scolding wind (but that was the effect of any one anyway even visited local dealer within Citroen values);
- A sudden burning service light - while the trip computer promises 6,500 km free mileage and (right already, briefly) dealer indicated that I could drive another 3.800 kilometers according to the accounts of Citroën ...
- a broken drawstring for folding down the middle chair of the 2nd row;
- My cell phone is no longer recognized regularly and must therefore often be linked manually - which by the way is very easy;
- 2 errors (1x airbag deactivated, 1x back cover - solved in both cases by auto turn off and start again);
- One of the two USB ports has given up on;
- With a full load (luggage and 6 people on board) have to brake hard, is asking for jitters: heavily loaded this car simply slows abysmal;
- Audio I (first) wanted to play via a USB stick, turned out to be sortable. Albums, artists and songs (apparently?) Jumble.

But to conclude with something positive:
- after a deep pit all resonances are gone;
- Powertrain with great start-stop has stolen my heart! Those 120 horses under the hood are potent enough for normal use and do their work in peace.