Citroen Grand C4 SpaceTourer

Citroen Grand C4 Space Tourer – Overview

The Citroen Grand C4 Space Tourer was facelifted in 2018 and is available in just one variant. Assembled locally in Malaysia by Naza, the Citroen Grand C4 Space Tourer was priced at RM149,888. The most direct competitor to the Citroen Grand C4 Space Tourer is the Nissan Serena S-Hybrid. 

The Kia Grand Carnival is larger plus it seats 8. Traditional European competitors are the Volkswagen Touran and Ford S-Max, both of which have long been discontinued for sales in Malaysia. Renault meanwhile no longer makes the Espace for markets with right-hand drive orientation, such as the UK and Malaysia.

Citroen Grand C4 Space Tourer – Exterior

The Citroen Grand C4 Space Tourer is a European-centric product, hence it has a different form of beauty compared to the Asian designs. For instance, the headlamp are a dual-level layout, with the top row forming the DRLs and indicators. The main lamps are Bi-Xenon technology. The curves on the body panel are more subtle too.

The first generation Citroen C4 Grand Picasso was famous for its panoramic extended windscreen, which stretches some 6 inches into the section of where the traditional roof begins. The latest Citroen Grand C4 Space Tourer continues this feature, which also means forward visibility is unhindered due to the vast amounts of glass forwards and sideways.

While not specifically mentioned, the Citroen Grand C4 Space Tourer is offered in four colours, all with semi-dual tone finish, as the upper half of the body is covered with a satin silver finish. The tail lamps on the Citroen Grand C4 Space Tourer are also shaped to look like dual-level to better pair with the frontal design, with 3D effect sculptured into them. 

Unlike the Nissan Serena and Kia Carnival with powered sliding doors, the Citroen Grand C4 Space Tourer comes with regular hinged rear doors. The tailgate however is powered and hands-free for ease of use. 

Citroen Grand C4 Space Tourer – Interior

Dashboard

The Citroen Grand C4 Space Tourer has a compact dashboard to minimise space into the cabin. The designers also maximise the depth thanks to the panoramic windscreen, where glass panels are also placed at the side plus an extended windscreen length.

Instead of directly ahead of the driver, the instrument panel is placed at the centre of the dashboard. There are no physical switches for the air-conditioning control (embedded into the infotainment system) plus the gear shift lever for the automatic transmission (P,R,N,D,M) is placed on the steering column. Below the 7-inch infotainment screen is a large storage box for smartphones, like the USB port and 12V power socket is hidden here. Neat!

Thanks to the position of the steering column-mounted shift lever, the console in between the front seat is a large storage area with a retractable lid. It is however lowly mounted, and as such, the front seats get a rotating armrest. The two-tone theme on the dashboard (with a unique pattern on the surface) also makes the cabin look more premium, as with generous but tastefully placed trim pieces in satin silver.

Instrument cluster

Space and practicality

Occupants on the second row have access to the foldable tray table mounted on the seatback. All three seats also slide and recline individually. Apart from door pockets and seatback nets, there aren’t any additional storage spaces for the second row. The interior of the Citroen Grand C4 Space Tourer is incredibly versatile. All seats on the second and third rows can fold flat into the floor, creating some 2,200 litres of space.

With the third row of individual seats up, the luggage room is fair and legroom for the third row is also commendable. There are some storage slots neatly integrated into the side panels for the third-row occupants. Access to the third row is very different from Asian automakers, in the Citroen Grand C4 Space Tourer, the seat bench lifts to increase the sliding distance to the front row. 

Citroen Grand C4 Space Tourer – Features

Safety features

The Citroen Grand C4 Space Tourer also comes with a ‘conversation mirror’, where a small rectangular mirror with a wide lens above the rearview mirror allows the driver to better see the occupants in the second and third rows.

Comfort features

Dual-zone automatic air conditioning for the front occupants, while the second row has access to adjustable fan speed and blower mounted on the B-pillar of the Citroen Grand C4 Space Tourer. The foldable tray table is useful too, and it even comes with its reading lamp. Manual roll-up sunshades are meanwhile only on the second-row windows.
Unfortunately for the middle row, there is no central built-in armrest.

Infotainment

The Citroen Grand C4 Space Tourer back in 2018 already came equipped with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone connectivity, with a large covered storage box to keep the smartphones in place. Mirror-link can also be used, plus an integrated navigation system. 

Citroen Grand C4 Space Tourer – Powertrain

Engine

Transmission

Chassis 

Similar with other vehicles made by French automakers, the Citroen Grand C4 Space Tourer uses MacPherson Strut suspension up front and a torsion beam axle for the rear. Disc brakes are used at all four corners. For the 2018 Citroen Grand C4 Space Tourer facelift, the tyres are 205/55R17 on dual-tone 17-inch alloy wheels.

Drivetrain

Citroen Grand C4 Space Tourer – Driving Performance

Engine performance

Transmission performance

The paddle shifters allows manual selection of the gear ratio, if needed. A special mention for the Citroen Grand C4 Space Tourer, with the shift lever mounted on the steering column. It does look strange, but with its smooth and precise movement, it is easy to use and nothing unfamiliar after a trip to get the groceries. According to Citroen, the 2018 Citroen Grand C4 Space Tourer takes 8.7 seconds to reach 100 km/h from rest.

Steering and handling

We also like how well controlled the body roll is during cornering, ensuring passengers are well within their seats and not being moved about. However, the ride does feel a tad busy at low-speed and rough roads, such as over repaired patches. 

Citroen Grand C4 Space Tourer – Ride Comfort

Citroen Grand C4 Space Tourer – Fuel Economy

Citroen Grand C4 Space Tourer – Conclusion

There are plenty of practical features and storage spaces too, with the middle row seats able to slide fore and aft individually as well as a completely flat floor once both second and third rows are folded down. Performance from the powertrain is respectable.

However, owning the Citroen in Malaysia has its challenges, with the small dealer network its biggest weakness for long term ownership experience. The transmission performance is also a very noticeable weakness in the otherwise great package.