Picasso Grand C4 vs Touran vs Smax
Discussion
Nuts and bolts: 2 (+1 soon) kids. Have survived 2 with a 1.8 petrol civic mk8 which is great to drive, super reliable Etc. but ultimately a pain even before the +1
Budget: 6-10k / Under 70k miles / could go lower than 6k given will be a bin on wheels anyway, but not sure if actually wise w tax/maintenance/running costs
Shortlist:
grand picasso '14 onwards - lots of kit / can get couple yrs newer compared to others / reliability issues? / efficient / EAT6 box from '15 seems to be turning point on an acceptable drive
touran - smallest but like a tardis / boring / pricey / most reliable?
smax - biggest but best to drive apparently / again reliability / higher running costs
Performance - don't want a totally lame dog, but don't need a remapped focus st engine either
if buying new might go touran but all have good/bad points. with all, 90% sold as diesels, but we do mostly town driving which seems to be an issue when you read around. other thing is manual vs auto, the budget scares me off auto boxes a bit
Budget: 6-10k / Under 70k miles / could go lower than 6k given will be a bin on wheels anyway, but not sure if actually wise w tax/maintenance/running costs
Shortlist:
grand picasso '14 onwards - lots of kit / can get couple yrs newer compared to others / reliability issues? / efficient / EAT6 box from '15 seems to be turning point on an acceptable drive
touran - smallest but like a tardis / boring / pricey / most reliable?
smax - biggest but best to drive apparently / again reliability / higher running costs
Performance - don't want a totally lame dog, but don't need a remapped focus st engine either
if buying new might go touran but all have good/bad points. with all, 90% sold as diesels, but we do mostly town driving which seems to be an issue when you read around. other thing is manual vs auto, the budget scares me off auto boxes a bit
We've got a 2008 Ford S-Max. It's a fine family bus, and rides pretty well, but is not a very PH car.
It's great as a family car, the seating particularly is pretty good. All 2nd and 3rd row seats fold independently of each other. The 2nd row also slide back and forth. You kind of have the choice of:
- 2nd row forwards with adults in and 3rd row up for up to medium sized kids, hardly any boot.
- 2nd row forwards, 3rd row down, huge boot.
- 2nd row back, plenty of legroom, decent sized boot.
They're more practical than an estate car, it's handy that the smaller kids can stand in the middle row and put their wellies on in the dry or whatever.
The middle seat might be a bit smaller than the outside two, and not isofix, check when you look. With three kids, a Galaxy or similar has even more flexibility with proper removable seats. If you have somewhere to store them, this might be handy, as you could go 2, 2, 1 on the seating, and have a bit of space between the kids.
It's great as a family car, the seating particularly is pretty good. All 2nd and 3rd row seats fold independently of each other. The 2nd row also slide back and forth. You kind of have the choice of:
- 2nd row forwards with adults in and 3rd row up for up to medium sized kids, hardly any boot.
- 2nd row forwards, 3rd row down, huge boot.
- 2nd row back, plenty of legroom, decent sized boot.
They're more practical than an estate car, it's handy that the smaller kids can stand in the middle row and put their wellies on in the dry or whatever.
The middle seat might be a bit smaller than the outside two, and not isofix, check when you look. With three kids, a Galaxy or similar has even more flexibility with proper removable seats. If you have somewhere to store them, this might be handy, as you could go 2, 2, 1 on the seating, and have a bit of space between the kids.
Had a similar list to you a few years back, S Max generally the best all rounder but pricey. Picasso nice but awful awful gearbox. We went for a 5008 in the end, works fine for us and we have 4 kids under 8. Holidays are a squeeze but put a roofbox on and bike carrier on the back. 64 plate, we've had it for around 3 year and it's been ultra reliable and very cheap to run.
At your budget of £6k to £10k the smax is by far the best 7 seater to drive and should be the cheapest to run. Smax is based on the mondeo platform and drives like a car rather than a family bus (they have excellent body control and nice steering).
The 2.2 tdci is the best of the bunch, manual or auto equally good (note the 2.2 is the only auto smax of the 2011-2015 models that is reliable as it was the only non powershift auto they did).
Petrol model smax Are relatively rare in this price bracket and all the 2.0 petrol 2011 -2015 came as powershift auto (avoid) There is also a rare petrol 1.6t Ecoboost 165 bhp version these came as manual only and have lower rate road tax and do drive extremely well ( same engine as fiesta st180).
You should avoid the auto versions of smax from mid 2010 till 2015 as these were powershift gearboxes and are horrendously expensive to fix (£3k) and they do go wrong once older/have a few miles on them mainly due to lack of oil changes every 40k so best avoided. Only the 2.2 auto is non powershift box.
I sell used smax so if you need any advice let me know.
The 2.2 tdci is the best of the bunch, manual or auto equally good (note the 2.2 is the only auto smax of the 2011-2015 models that is reliable as it was the only non powershift auto they did).
Petrol model smax Are relatively rare in this price bracket and all the 2.0 petrol 2011 -2015 came as powershift auto (avoid) There is also a rare petrol 1.6t Ecoboost 165 bhp version these came as manual only and have lower rate road tax and do drive extremely well ( same engine as fiesta st180).
You should avoid the auto versions of smax from mid 2010 till 2015 as these were powershift gearboxes and are horrendously expensive to fix (£3k) and they do go wrong once older/have a few miles on them mainly due to lack of oil changes every 40k so best avoided. Only the 2.2 auto is non powershift box.
I sell used smax so if you need any advice let me know.
The S Max is the pick, now a good alternative is the Mazda5 in Sport Venture trim:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103180...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105132...
Diesel
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103130...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104231...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103180...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105132...
Diesel
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103130...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104231...
louiebaby said:
We've got a 2008 Ford S-Max. It's a fine family bus, and rides pretty well, but is not a very PH car.
It's great as a family car, the seating particularly is pretty good. All 2nd and 3rd row seats fold independently of each other. The 2nd row also slide back and forth. You kind of have the choice of:
- 2nd row forwards with adults in and 3rd row up for up to medium sized kids, hardly any boot.
- 2nd row forwards, 3rd row down, huge boot.
- 2nd row back, plenty of legroom, decent sized boot.
They're more practical than an estate car, it's handy that the smaller kids can stand in the middle row and put their wellies on in the dry or whatever.
The middle seat might be a bit smaller than the outside two, and not isofix, check when you look. With three kids, a Galaxy or similar has even more flexibility with proper removable seats. If you have somewhere to store them, this might be handy, as you could go 2, 2, 1 on the seating, and have a bit of space between the kids.
Thanks that's all good to know. What model do you have, reliability been ok? Re the isofix I think they stuck another in the middle seat for the 2010 facelift. You're right of course, not a PH car, but needs must and I'm strangely coming round to the insane practicality of these things.It's great as a family car, the seating particularly is pretty good. All 2nd and 3rd row seats fold independently of each other. The 2nd row also slide back and forth. You kind of have the choice of:
- 2nd row forwards with adults in and 3rd row up for up to medium sized kids, hardly any boot.
- 2nd row forwards, 3rd row down, huge boot.
- 2nd row back, plenty of legroom, decent sized boot.
They're more practical than an estate car, it's handy that the smaller kids can stand in the middle row and put their wellies on in the dry or whatever.
The middle seat might be a bit smaller than the outside two, and not isofix, check when you look. With three kids, a Galaxy or similar has even more flexibility with proper removable seats. If you have somewhere to store them, this might be handy, as you could go 2, 2, 1 on the seating, and have a bit of space between the kids.
zedx19 said:
Had a similar list to you a few years back, S Max generally the best all rounder but pricey. Picasso nice but awful awful gearbox. We went for a 5008 in the end, works fine for us and we have 4 kids under 8. Holidays are a squeeze but put a roofbox on and bike carrier on the back. 64 plate, we've had it for around 3 year and it's been ultra reliable and very cheap to run.
Had considered, but was under the impression it was just a picasso in a different dress, so will look again!rallycross said:
At your budget of £6k to £10k the smax is by far the best 7 seater to drive and should be the cheapest to run. Smax is based on the mondeo platform and drives like a car rather than a family bus (they have excellent body control and nice steering).
The 2.2 tdci is the best of the bunch, manual or auto equally good (note the 2.2 is the only auto smax of the 2011-2015 models that is reliable as it was the only non powershift auto they did).
Petrol model smax Are relatively rare in this price bracket and all the 2.0 petrol 2011 -2015 came as powershift auto (avoid) There is also a rare petrol 1.6t Ecoboost 165 bhp version these came as manual only and have lower rate road tax and do drive extremely well ( same engine as fiesta st180).
You should avoid the auto versions of smax from mid 2010 till 2015 as these were powershift gearboxes and are horrendously expensive to fix (£3k) and they do go wrong once older/have a few miles on them mainly due to lack of oil changes every 40k so best avoided. Only the 2.2 auto is non powershift box.
I sell used smax so if you need any advice let me know.
This is invaluable will have to tap you up for some further advice if the Smax wins out The 2.2 tdci is the best of the bunch, manual or auto equally good (note the 2.2 is the only auto smax of the 2011-2015 models that is reliable as it was the only non powershift auto they did).
Petrol model smax Are relatively rare in this price bracket and all the 2.0 petrol 2011 -2015 came as powershift auto (avoid) There is also a rare petrol 1.6t Ecoboost 165 bhp version these came as manual only and have lower rate road tax and do drive extremely well ( same engine as fiesta st180).
You should avoid the auto versions of smax from mid 2010 till 2015 as these were powershift gearboxes and are horrendously expensive to fix (£3k) and they do go wrong once older/have a few miles on them mainly due to lack of oil changes every 40k so best avoided. Only the 2.2 auto is non powershift box.
I sell used smax so if you need any advice let me know.
I thought the Picasso would be cheapest to run though at least in fuel/consumables, Smax is heavy on mpg and front tyres from what I've read? Honestly though, reliability is probably a bigger issue given will be relatively low mileage per yr (it's not a commute car, not even school run, just town driving and few big trips each year), and having had fords before I know how easy parts are to find from breakers Etc. Never had a VW or Citroen.Mazda 5 I've ruled out on same grounds as a Cmax, that middle 2nd row seat makes things a squeeze. As for the Alfa, a great idea and of course very tempting, but tbh it's the thought of bending down for another five years to cram kids into car seats that's really sold me on a temporary mpv. The high roof and flat floor seems like a winning combo where kids are concerned.
In comparison, all the SUVs I looked at had the roofline but no space inside and no room for 3 kids side by side. Options exist obviously, but a disco/q7/xc90 is just total overkill, at least for my needs.
In comparison, all the SUVs I looked at had the roofline but no space inside and no room for 3 kids side by side. Options exist obviously, but a disco/q7/xc90 is just total overkill, at least for my needs.
nevermind111 said:
Thanks that's all good to know. What model do you have, reliability been ok? Re the isofix I think they stuck another in the middle seat for the 2010 facelift. You're right of course, not a PH car, but needs must and I'm strangely coming round to the insane practicality of these things.
Mine is a 2 litre diesel with a 6 speed manual. It has only needed tyres and routine servicing in the last 28 months, and I've probably done about 24,000 miles.I wouldn't swear to the middle row isofix, and the missus is out in it at the moment. As a family car you can just use without being too concerned, I would definitely recommend it.
The only thing I'd like more is a Transporter Kombi / Shuttle. We do a lot of cycling as a family, and have a dog, so taking the dog box out and mucking about with the seats to get the bikes in is a faff. Doable, easy enough, but a faff. However, with the price of vans currently I might just bite the bullet and have a towbar fitted so I can put the bikes on a towbar mounted rack. (Putting them on a roof is tricky, even when you're a giant like me it's a long way up to lift bikes!
Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff