The deep wide dashboard has two clever dash mounted storage boxes that flank the centrally mounted drivers digital display sensibly covered with a lip so the sun does not reflect onto the screen. There are some really nice touches on the Grand Picasso, such as the CD player/radio being concealed from prying eyes and pops open when required, the air-conditioned central storage box that means the passenger can keep the drivers thirst quenched on long journeys.
Because of the electric handbrake, which in fairness I did not like nor trusted is mounted on the dash, it frees up space between the passenger and driver seat so my handbag was happy, and lots of other storage solutions were scattered around the cabin. The air conditioning controls, electric window and door mirrors switches are located to the right of the driver for excellent ease of use. With all seven seats in place there is very little room for any shopping bags, but luckily all the seats are really easy to fold, tumble or even pull out if necessary. Overall a nice comfortable interior.
Unfortunately, that was all about to change when I switched on the engine. Firstly, it’s a noisy diesel, surprisingly as diesels are becoming quieter, but more importantly, this test car was fitted with a six speed automatic gearbox which gave a rather unforgiving ride as it lurched through the gears rather like dodgy roller-coaster and made me feel quite queasy. I tried to combat it with the integrated air freshener that wafts the cabin with nice smells, but no, it did not work. The Grand Picasso is obviously a large car and not one to be chucked around the tight bends, corners etc so I could not see the point of having paddles for manual mode.
These are normally to be found on sports cars that provide a bit more excitement, not a full-blown family car. The suspension was equally unforgiving but the Exclusive trim does come with a self levelling system which I am sure will be worth the extra money. The brakes were slow to react for such a large car and early braking is strongly recommended while the power steering was excellent for the small parking bays, it could have been tighter for the open road. However, being a diesel, fuel consumption is a very respectable 49.6 mpg on a combined cycle which is just a so well as with five children in the car, trips to the petrol station could become quite expensive. Further savings will be made with a relatively low insurance group of 7E, CO2 emissions right down at 150 thus Band C road fund licence currently at £110 and a 20% Benefit in kind Rating.
Safety wise the Grand Picasso VTR +comes with a host of features thus scored five stars in the Euro NCAP ratings for adult occupancy, two for pedestrian and three for child protection. As standard on the VTR+ is ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and Emergency Braking Assistance, Electronic Stability Programme, adaptive driver and passenger airbags, drivers knee airbags, curtain airbags and front lateral airbags with the passengers having a cut off switch. The front seat belts have pre-tensioners while all seven seats have a 3 point inertia reel seat belts and adjustable headrests. Protecting the occupants is an energy absorbing side impact protection system and the auto activation of the hazard warning lights in an emergency stop.
Securing the Grand Picasso is remote central locking with deadlocks, an immobiliser, automatic boot locking when the car is in motion, and automatic re-locking after 30 seconds which is not enough time if you have to get five children in and belted up. What is clever is the electric child lock indicator and a seatbelt warning on the dashboard that informs the driver which child had not got their seatbelt done up or which naughty child has just undone theirs!
Whilst my test car has a price tag of £18, 695, it also came with lots of options like the Comfort Plus pack, Panoramic Glass sun roof, Techno pack, Boot pack, Seucitry pack and Parking pack which rockets the price up so be careful what you choose.
I personally would steer clear of the automatic gearbox and diesel engine. With the money saved I could afford a quieter petrol with top of the range spec whereby some of these optional extras on the VTR+ are included.
Jackie Violet Firsts Motoring Correspondent