Citroën C4 Picasso e-HDi 115 ETG6 road test (Engine, performance, handling and consumption)

The new Citroën C4 Picasso represents a leap, both qualitative and quantitative, over the previous model; a deep change in design, more and better on-board technology and safety features. Comfort is also a key point in the new C4 Picasso. We have tested the Citroën C4 Picasso e-HDi 115 Airdream ETG6, a version fitted with a semi-automatic manual gearbox, and we tell you everything.

Engine and performance

The engine delivers 115 CV at 3,600 rpm and 285 Nm between 1,750 and 2,500 rpm. With this engine, the C4 Picasso is capable of accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 12.3 seconds and reaching a top speed of 189 km/h. The average homologated consumption quoted by the manufacturer is 4 litres per 100 km, while emissions stand at 104 g/km of CO2, or 105 if you choose the 17-inch wheels.

This 4-cylinder in-line engine with a displacement of 1,590 cc is paired with a 6-speed semi-automatic manual gearbox, which features paddles behind the steering wheel for gear selection. It is a combination that maximises the C4 Picasso’s main characteristic: comfort. But let’s move on to the next section, where we tell you our impressions after driving this MPV.

Handling

Pull-away is somewhat slow but smooth, and this has a purpose, in fact two: to achieve lower consumption and not compromise the comfort-focused nature of the C4 Picasso. In town, this means you need to be patient and relax when setting off.

Once on the move, one aspect that breaks with everything above is the gear change, which is very noticeable, too much so, to the point that the pitching it causes in the car is almost the same as if we were changing gears with a manual transmission. That’s just what semi-automatic gearboxes are like. The new ETG6 is similar to the previous one, but with improved electronics to reduce the time taken to change gears.

Even so, the gear transition is somewhat slow, noticeable especially when we floor the accelerator to gain torque: the ‘robot’ downshifts, but with a delay that makes you think twice about some manoeuvres.

At this point, and in the C4 Picasso’s favour, we must confirm that this is not a car for agile manoeuvres, spirited driving, or seeking thrills by any means. Its purpose is full comfort and cruise driving, and in that it performs very well.

The suspension has a soft setup and absorbs road irregularities very well. The steering, for its part, has considerable electronic assistance, always aiming for comfort and ease of manoeuvring, especially when parking and in tight spaces.

On the road the steering offers a great deal of comfort, as does the soundproofing of the cabin. Seat support is adequate, and overall it is a car that is really easy to drive and comfortable for all its occupants. Without doubt, this is the main strength of the Citroën C4 Picasso: it is enjoyable to drive.

On long journeys, the massage function in the front seats is a real comfort bonus, and the rear passengers also get illuminated tables, plenty of legroom, and, on top of that, numerous storage spaces for objects.

Consumption

After more than 500 kilometres of testing, driving the Citroën C4 Picasso in all conditions, the trip computer recorded an average consumption of 5.9 litres per 100 km. This may seem high compared with the homologated average, but we should clarify that our pace was rather spirited, without worrying about achieving low figures or aiming for maximum efficiency.

Considering the driving style of a typical user, with four occupants and spending more time on motorways and some interurban roads, this figure could fall below 5.5 litres per 100 km, a very good figure for this type of vehicle and an engine with more than 100 horsepower. With this, the range on a single tank would be around 700 kilometres.

Our first impressions of the Citroën C4 Picasso e-HDi 115 ETG6 have been very good throughout the test: handling very focused on comfort, excellent visibility, and on-board technology that makes it easy to drive. In the next instalment we will detail the exterior and interior design.