Citroen Grand C4 SpaceTourer 2019 Review

The seven-seater family car market has always been a core choice for family users in Malaysia, requiring both the economy of daily commuting and the space needs for multi-person travel. Citroën's 2019 Grand C4 SpaceTourer, entering this segment, has attracted considerable attention with its French design flair and practical configurations. This time, we got our hands on the actual vehicle, focusing on whether its space performance genuinely caters to local multi-member families, as well as how the 1.6T engine performs in urban and highway scenarios.

From the exterior, the Grand C4 SpaceTourer does not follow the traditional boxy MPV route, with overall lines leaning more toward the sleek station wagon style. The chrome trim on the front connects the LED headlights on both sides, providing decent recognition when lit. The body features a floating roof design on the side, paired with 17-inch alloy wheels, making it appear younger compared to other MPVs in the same segment. The L-shaped taillights at the rear echo the front light cluster, while the silver skid plate under the rear bumper adds a touch of crossover vibe. Overall, the design balances practicality with modern aesthetics.

Sitting inside, the interior layout is kept simple, with the upper part of the dashboard wrapped in soft materials that feel fairly refined. The 8-inch touchscreen serves as the core of the center console, supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with decent operational smoothness. However, it retains fewer physical buttons, so certain functions must be operated through the touchscreen, which may require some adaptation while driving. The front seats are manually adjustable and feature relatively soft padding, with moderate support for long drives. The second-row seats can slide forward and backward and adjust their backrest angles, while legroom is above average for this segment. The third row is more suitable for children or adults on short trips, as it feels slightly cramped for long journeys. As for storage, the central armrest box and door panel compartments in the front row are adequately sized, and folding down the third-row seats expands the trunk space significantly, easily meeting family storage needs.

In terms of performance, the car is equipped with a 1.6T turbocharged engine delivering a maximum of 165PS, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. The power response at start-up is not particularly aggressive, but deeper pressure on the accelerator reveals ample thrust in the mid-to-high range, providing confident overtaking in the city or cruising on highways. The transmission’s shifting logic leans toward smoothness, with almost imperceptible gear shifts during daily driving, though downshifting is slightly slower during rapid acceleration. There are three driving modes available: Eco, Standard, and Sport. In Eco mode, the throttle response is more restrained, suitable for fuel-efficient daily commuting, while Sport mode sharpens the throttle sensitivity for scenarios requiring more power.

In terms of handling, the steering of the Grand C4 SpaceTourer is relatively light and effortless for female drivers, with above-average steering precision for an MPV. The suspension employs a front MacPherson strut and rear torsion beam structure, tuned for comfort. It handles speed bumps or uneven roads well, filtering out bumps quite effectively. However, the body roll becomes slightly noticeable during high-speed cornering, which is expected for a seven-seater vehicle where handling is not the main focus. As for noise insulation, the interior remains relatively quiet at speeds below 60 km/h, but wind and tire noise become increasingly noticeable at speeds over 80 km/h, though still within an acceptable range.

For the fuel consumption test, we chose a route that was half city driving and half highway. The final fuel consumption was about 7.8L per 100 kilometers, which is not far from the official combined fuel consumption of 7.2L. For a 1.6T seven-seater model, this performance is considered acceptable. In terms of braking, the brake pedal feels linear, the body remains stable during emergency braking, and the braking distance is considered normal within its class.

Overall, the core advantages of the 2019 Citroen Grand C4 SpaceTourer lie in its sleek design, flexible space layout, and comfortable chassis tuning. Compared to its class competitors like the Toyota Innova or Honda Odyssey, it is more affordable and has a more youthful design. However, its shortcomings include the limited third-row space and lower brand resale value. This vehicle is more suitable for young families who value design and daily practicality, especially those who do not need to frequently carry seven passengers but still want to balance aesthetics and space. If you are a family user who seeks a balanced option, the Grand C4 SpaceTourer is worth considering.