Skoda superb vs Citroen c4 grand picasso

1holly1

Hi
Just looking for your opinions please. We are looking to purchase either of the above. We will soon have three kids under 4.5. Our priorities are that 3 car seats can go across and pretty large boot space. In terms of value, reliability, fuel consumption, comfort; what's the best option for us? Would likely be a 2014 model of either. Thanks

stooge

1holly1 wrote: »

Hi
Just looking for your opinions please. We are looking to purchase either of the above. We will soon have three kids under 4.5. Our priorities are that 3 car seats can go across and pretty large boot space. In terms of value, reliability, fuel consumption, comfort; what's the best option for us? Would likely be a 2014 model of either. Thanks

Have you tried getting 3car seats across the back of the superb? We couldn't safely get them all in when we tried. We even bought the narrowest seats we could.

Ended up choosing a Kia Caren's over the c4

1holly1

stooge wrote: »

Have you tried getting 3car seats across the back of the superb? We couldn't safely get them all in when we tried. We even bought the narrowest seats we could.

Ended up choosing a Kia Caren's over the c4

Thanks for that. No we haven't but have heard of others with our seat combo that got it to work. Does Kia carens have 3 full seats?

The_Honeybadger

Was in this boat several years ago. With three kids under 5 an MPV makes most sense. The nicest by far IMO is the Ford S-Max, they are expensive but are good value in the UK or up north if that’s an option. The C4 Grand Picasso is a nice car too and will do the job, I preferred the pre 14 model myself.

Zoney

Similar situation, moving from Laguna to Skoda superb seemed a good step up (similar class car but superb has giant boot). Getting some luxury with cream leather inside was tempting.

In the end, sticking with Renault at first, a single test drive with three car seats in the Scenic was enough to make the MPV practicality undeniable. Didn't like the car though.

Instead went for the C4 and wouldn't look back. Got a UK import from Irish dealer, 2014 exclusive+ model with lounge pack, 2.0 bluehdi engine.

Love the huge windscreen and corner Windows, great visibility, also panoramic sunroof makes it so airy inside.

Kids love the flat floor across the second row, aircraft style tray tables, reading lights.

I really like the extras, xenon headlights and upgraded 3D LED rear lights, adaptive cruise control, 360 vision cameras (make manoeuvres a dream), self parking, blind spot warning, automatic tilt of wing mirrors in reverse. Motorized tail gate and keyless entry is nice (can live without the foot swipe for now that the newest ones have). 18" alloys look beautiful but don't seem to impact the ride, in fact seem better on some uneven roads.

Pre Nov 2014 of the new model exclusive+ comes with little touches removed from later UK spec. Spotlights inside the door handles front and rear, brushed metal door steps including rear sills, built in jukebox hard drive, extra usb port, extra upper hooks in boot for a boot net.

Seriously, the comfort levels and nice touches really make up for that transition from car to MPV in my experience. It's like piloting a space ship including the computer (even dials etc are on a flat panel display, configurable). The menu options are a bit mad, it is a French car after all. At some point they decided to give the option of changing the indicator tone, so you can select mystical or jungle beat tones...

Anyway, I was worried mine was being sold cheap because of some issue, despite mileage on the high side being a valid reason. But it looks like buying from UK and paying VRT I'd still have saved even another 2-3k, assuming the cheaper exclusive+ listings on autotrader are OK. So a UK import is a no brainer! I'm happy to have an Irish dealer to go back to, one or two minor items to get looked at. Local main Citroen dealer sorted me for some recall items: clutch work and a fixed cap for the adblue tank, registered me with Citroen for any further updates

Edit: pretty much exactly the same family situation.

RocketRaccoon

I'm in the same boat right now. We are trying to decide between the grand Picasso and the qashqai+2. Any opinions between these 2?

youcancallmeal

Had the same choice to make last Sept, went for the Superb in the end simply because we don't need 3 child seats across the back at the moment. If we ever need an MPV I would most likely go for the picasso though. Test drove it and I was impressed with all nice touches Zoney outlined above.

ectoraige

1holly1 wrote: »

Hi
Just looking for your opinions please. We are looking to purchase either of the above. We will soon have three kids under 4.5. Our priorities are that 3 car seats can go across and pretty large boot space. In terms of value, reliability, fuel consumption, comfort; what's the best option for us? Would likely be a 2014 model of either. Thanks

We upgraded from a Renault Grand Scenic to a 2010 Grand Picasso a couple of years ago, as we found it was getting a little cramped. Our kids are now aged 5, 8, and 11, and we've never been short for space with the Picasso, even with a dog. Having the seven seats has made a lot of school and after-school logistics easier so I'd definitely recommend the MPV route, especially if it's your only car.

In terms of reliability, we did have a string of problems not too long after we got it, which culminated in a new engine, but that's always a risk with a used car. Our mechanic who resolved it all actually bought one himself not too long after as, in his own experience, they seemed pretty sold, ours being a particularly troublesome exception. We also have had to replace the electronic handbrake switch, but that also happened to our previous car.

For the class of car it is, it's decent enough to drive, but if I had the money, I'd prefer the S-max or some of the volkswagen MPVs which I've had as rentals. That said, the C4 offers good value for money, especially once you rule out any of the cars that don't have a 5-star safety rating.