The Touran Sport is our favourite dad’s cab because it’s family-friendly and takes care of the hard-driving daddy at the same time. He also won’t go wrong with the Opel Zafira, which is just a little less convincing than the Volkswagen in its practicality/driveability combo, but costs a whopping $12k less. As for the Picasso, modern five-member households that appreciate the Citroen’s French fine art more than its two rivals’ clinical German science would be happy to add it to their collection.
Volkswagen Touran 1.4 (A)
DRIVETRAIN
Type
Inline-4, 16-valves, turbocharged
Capacity
1390cc
Bore x stroke
76.5mm x 75.6mm
Compression ratio
10:5
Max power
170bhp at 6000rpm
Max torque
240Nm at 1500-4750rpm
Power to weight 111.7bhp/tonne
Gearbox 6-speed dual-clutch with manual select
Driven wheels All
PERFORMANCE
0-100km/h 8.5 seconds
Top speed 212km/h
Consumption 13.2km/L (combined)
SUSPENSION
Front Strut axle with lower wishbones, coil springs, anti-roll bar
Rear 4-link axle, coil springs, anti-roll bar
BRAKES
Front / rear Ventilated discs / Discs
TYRES
Type Michelin Energy
Size 205/55 R16
SAFETY
Airbags 6
Traction aids ABS, EBD
MEASUREMENTS
Length 4407mm
Width 1794mm
Height 1659mm
Wheelbase 2678mm
Kerb weight 1522kg
Turning circle
11.2m
BUYING IT
Price incl. COE $94,300
Warranty 3 years/100,000km
+ Exciting and efficient drivetrain, practical and durable interior, excellent on-board equipment
– Boxy and bland styling, sombre cabin architecture, unsettled ride quality
Opel Zafira 1.8 (A)
DRIVETRAIN
Type Inline-4, 16-valves
Capacity 1796cc
Bore x stroke 80.5mm x 88.2mm
Compression ratio 10.5:1
Max power 140bhp at 6300rpm
Max torque 175Nm at 3800rpm
Power to weight 92.2bhp/tonne
Gearbox 5-speed semi-auto with manual select
Driven wheels Front
PERFORMANCE
0-100km/h 12.9 seconds
Top speed 197km/h
Consumption 13.9km/L (combined)
SUSPENSION
Front MacPherson struts, coil springs, anti-roll bar
Rear Torsion beam, coil springs, anti-roll bar
BRAKES
Front / rear Ventilated discs / Discs
TYRES
Type Bridgestone Turanza ER300
Size 205/55 R16
SAFETY
Airbags 6
Traction aids ABS, EBD
MEASUREMENTS
Length 4465mm
Width 1800mm
Height 1670mm
Wheelbase 2705mm
Kerb weight 1518kg
Turning circle 11.5m
BUYING IT
Price incl. COE $81,888
Warranty 3 years/60,000km
+ Respectable ride and handling, clever Flex 7 seating system, pro-driver orientation
– Cabin feels relatively cramped, esoteric Easytronic gearbox, unyielding plastics everywhere
Citroen C4 Picasso Exclusive 2.0 (A)
DRIVETRAIN
Type Inline-4, 16-valves
Capacity 1997cc
Bore x stroke 85.0mm x 88.0mm
Compression ratio 10.8:1
Max power 143bhp at 6000rpm
Max torque 200Nm at 4000rpm
Power to weight 87.9bhp/tonne
Gearbox 4-speed automatic with manual select
Driven wheels Front
PERFORMANCE
0-100km/h 12.0 seconds
Top speed 190km/h
Consumption 11.2km/L (combined)
SUSPENSION
Front MacPherson struts with lower wishbones, coil springs, anti-roll bar
Rear Torsion beam, coil springs, anti-roll bar
BRAKES
Front / rear Ventilated discs / Discs
TYRES
Type Michelin Primacy HP
Size 215/50 R17
SAFETY
Airbags 6
Traction aids ABS, EBD
MEASUREMENTS
Length 4470mm
Width 1830mm
Height 1680mm
Wheelbase 2728mm
Kerb weight 1627kg
Turning circle 11.8m
BUYING IT
Price incl. COE $90,988
Warranty 3 years/60,000km
+ Designer exterior and interior, airy and comfy cabin for five, smooth highway cruising
– Boat-like handling at times, pointless paddle shifters, no third row means less versatility
Related story: 2014 Citroen C4 Picasso review
Related story: 2016 Volkswagen Touran review
