2018 Citroen Grand C4 SpaceTourer Review

Nowadays, the competition in the household seven-seater car market is becoming increasingly intense. Consumers' demands for space, features, and comfort are rising simultaneously. While many models emphasize cost-effectiveness, few truly balance practicality and driving experience. As Citröen's seven-seater MPV, the 2018 Grand C4 SpaceTourer enters the market with a price of 149,888 Malaysian Ringgit. Its key selling points lie in its class-leading wheelbase, offering exceptional space performance, and its chassis tuning that balances comfort and handling. The purpose of this test drive is to verify whether it can meet the daily commuting and weekend outing needs of large Malaysian families.

From a distance, the exterior of the Grand C4 SpaceTourer carries a typical French design aesthetic, with smooth yet understated lines. At the front, the large trapezoidal grille is paired with Citroën's iconic double-chevron chrome logo, giving the visual weight a low-set look. The sharp-shaped front headlights are connected to the chrome strip along the upper edge of the grille, broadening the horizontal visual effect of the front and enhancing its recognizability. On the side, a waistline running through from the front lights to the rear tail lights, combined with the indented design of the lower door section, ensures the body does not appear overly bulky. The rear design is relatively simple, with L-shaped LED taillights offering high recognizability when illuminated at night. Meanwhile, the chrome strip at the lower tailgate and the twin decorative exhaust outlets add a touch of refinement. In terms of the lighting system, both the front and rear lights adopt LED sources, with brightness and response speeds matching the standard for this price range.

Opening the door, the interior layout focuses on practicality, without overly flashy designs. The dashboard adopts a layered design, with an 8-inch touchscreen at the top, and physical buttons and rotary controls below, making the operation logic clear and user-friendly, even for first-time users. In terms of materials, regions on the upper dashboard and door inner panels that are frequently touched are wrapped in soft materials, offering a pleasant feel; the lower sections use hard plastic to reduce costs but, fortunately, the craftsmanship is well-done, without an overly cheap impression. For the seats, the front row uses a combination of fabric and leather materials, providing good support and wrap-around comfort; however, the adjustment method is manual, which is slightly disappointing for a vehicle at this price point. The rear-row seats also have generous padding, with the second row supporting sliding and reclining adjustments. The third-row seats are better suited for children or short trips with adults.

Space performance is one of the core advantages of the Grand C4 SpaceTourer. Its wheelbase reaches 2840mm, which is at the upper level among similar seven-seater vehicles. When the driver’s position is adjusted to a suitable posture, a 175cm tall occupant still has enough headroom of one fist and two fingers. The legroom in the second row, when pushed back fully, reaches two fists, allowing three adults to sit side by side without feeling too cramped. Space in the third row is relatively tight, leaving only three fingers of headroom and nearly no legroom when a tester is seated, but it can still work for short journeys. In terms of storage capacity, the vehicle offers up to 16 storage compartments, including door pockets, a central armrest box, and a glovebox, providing suitable places for everyday small items. The trunk has a capacity of 235 liters in its seven-seater configuration, capable of fitting two 20-inch suitcases. By folding down the third-row seats, the capacity expands to 704 liters; folding down the second-row seats further extends the volume to a maximum of 1862 liters, making it ideal for weekend relocations or large item transportation. Moreover, the second and third rows are both equipped with air conditioning vents and USB charging ports, reflecting thoughtful attention to detail.

In terms of power, the Grand C4 SpaceTourer is equipped with a 1.6T turbocharged engine that produces a maximum power of 167 PS and a peak torque of 240 N·m, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. In terms of specifications, the engine's power output is moderately high among models of the same displacement class. During actual driving, the power response in the initial phase is quite lively, offering a noticeable push-back feeling even with light throttle input, achieving a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of about 9.5 seconds. Overtaking in daily driving is effortless. The transmission features clear shifting logic, with smooth upshifts and relatively active downshifts. However, there is occasionally slight shifting hesitation during low-speed driving. Regarding driving modes, it offers three options: Economic, Standard, and Sport. In Sport mode, the throttle response is more sensitive, and the transmission delays upshifting, suitable for scenarios requiring quick acceleration.

In terms of handling, the steering wheel is relatively light, suitable for city commuting, and offers good precision without noticeable slack. The highlight of the Grand C4 SpaceTourer is its chassis tuning. It features a front MacPherson independent suspension and a rear torsion-beam non-independent suspension. However, Citroën's tuning expertise allows it to perform beyond expectations. When dealing with common speed bumps and potholes on Malaysian roads, the suspension quickly filters out most of the bumps while retaining certain road feedback. During cornering, the suspension provides adequate support, effectively controlling body roll, without giving a wobbly feeling. As for braking performance, the brake pedal offers a linear feel, with a soft initial braking force and strong force in the later stage. The measured 100 km/h-0 braking distance is around 38 meters, demonstrating excellent performance.

Fuel efficiency is also a major concern for family users. During this test drive, the vehicle traveled 50 kilometers each on city roads and highways, with an average speed of about 30 km/h. The final displayed fuel consumption was 7.8 L/100 km. On highways, the fuel consumption can drop to about 6.5 L/100 km, making this performance moderately high among the same class of seven-seater vehicles and meeting the fuel economy needs of family users.

In terms of ride comfort, the Grand C4 SpaceTourer performs admirably. Regarding noise control, at speeds below 60 km/h, there is basically no noticeable noise inside the cabin. At speeds above 80 km/h, wind and tire noise gradually enter the cabin but remain within an acceptable range, not affecting normal conversation. The seat comfort is also commendable, with front seats providing good lumbar support, making long drives less tiring. The backrest angle of the second-row seats is adjustable, allowing passengers to find a reasonably comfortable sitting position.

Overall, the 2018 Citroen Grand C4 SpaceTourer’s core advantages lie in its spacious interior, practical layout, and balanced driving experience. Compared to the Toyota Innova of its class, it has better chassis comfort and handling, as well as richer configurations. Compared to the Honda Odyssey, although the third-row space is slightly smaller, it is more affordable and offers better cost performance. Overall, it is a great choice for large families who value space practicality and seek a comfortable driving and riding experience. Whether it’s daily school runs, commuting to work, or weekend outings with family, it can handle everything with ease. If you don't mind the manual seats and relatively compact third-row space, the Grand C4 SpaceTourer is an excellent option.