In late 2020, we were lucky enough to drive the all-new Citroen C4 in left hand drive. It’s different & we liked it, but a week in a right hand drive version beckoned & we managed to scratch the itch recently, driving a manual 130 Pure Tech model in Sense Plus trim.
Petrol engine choices
There are four Euro 6d petrol engines in the UK – PureTech 100 S&S 6-speed manual, PureTech 130 S&S 6-speed manual, PureTech 130 S&S EAT8 Auto, PureTech 155 S&S EAT8 Auto, with our week spent in the 130 S&S 6-speed manual PureTech.
Looks
The body shape combines the shape of a hatchback, while subtly adopting certain SUV design forms, notably at the rear quarter which appears more raised thanks to 156mm of ground clearance. The design features a new LED V-shaped front & rear lighting signatures, coupled with some nods to Citroen’s of old, with the rear, side & boot panels. There’s also SUV-like side cladding & wheel arch extensions mirroring the Citroen SUV range. The rear end features a high-level rear spoiler, a split rear screen & a chunky rear bumper.
Practicality
The wide dashboard features some clever storage areas. For example, above the decent sized glove box is a pull out dashboard tray, which is a Smart Pad Support, with mobile phone storage. In effect, it’s an tablet holder so that front seat passengers can watch a film or TV programme whilst on the move. A clever as well as a useful addition, that was fitted to our test car.
For those sat up front, passenger space is decent, but a combination of the car’s sloping roof & the dark roof lining fitted to our test car, made the rear feel a little claustrophobic. Anyone over six foot tall will feel a little cramped in the back & there’s really only room for two.
The boot comes with 380 litres & a useful split floor & a low loading lip. There’s also a ski-hatch on higher spec models.
Interior
The interior quality is a step-up for Citroen featuring as it does, softly shaped panels & multiple storage compartments. There is a new chevron grain pattern on the dashboard & the interior colour schemes coordinate the seats with the door panels. And, C4 features the Citroën Advanced Comfort® programme, first seen in the C5 Aircross, mating comfortable seats to the cars suspension for a more comfortable ride.
In the centre, at the top of the dashboard, you’ll find a slim, gloss black 10″ touchscreen, with a physical chrome dial & chevron motif. Traditional dual-zone automatic climate control buttons, are located underneath this, so there’s no fiddling with the touchscreen to turn the temperature up or down. There’s also a digital instrument panel & large colour head-up display, which give the driver essential driving information right in front of their eyes.
Spec
We were testing a Sense Plus model costing from £23,890. Choose this version & you’ll benefit from a standard safety pack, reversing camera with Top Rear Vision, rear parking sensors, Suspension with Progressive Hydraulic Cushions, LED front headlamps, a dashboard tray, automatic dual zone air-con, 18″ alloys, LED daytime running lights, Citroën Smart Pad Support, a heads up display & the 10″ hi-res touchscreen featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, DAB radio, Bluetooth & voice commands.
What’s it like ?
The first thing you notice when you climb aboard, is the very DS like interior, which is no bad thing. The seats especially reminded me of those on board the DS3 Crossback, with their quilted almost Bo-Concept like Scandi finish. All of the fixtures & fittings are very well made & feature some Citroen quirkiness enabling the C4 stand out. The plastics used on the dash are not the flashiest & overall it’s practical rather than luxurious.
Controls & tech
All the car controls are within easy physical reach & the menu options & functions accessed via the touchscreen, are simple to understand. The separate heating controls are an added bonus, so you can keep your eyes on the road ahead. Cruise control is easily set up & controlled through the steering wheel controls on the left, whilst the car & driving info, can be bought up using the buttons located on the right of the steering wheel, including voice commands.
We selected 6Music from the DAB radio & connected our iPhone to Apple Car Play using the C USB input, as the standard USB input, is only to charge your phone. It’s certainly a nice cabin to be in & with the tablet holder fitted to our test car, the front seat passenger can be entertained separately.
Driving & fuel economy
The 1.2 litre, 130 bhp engine isn’t going to set anyones heart on fire. But, it offers a very pleasant driving experience. The six-speed manual gearbox is light, Citroens suspension cushions your ride & the low kerb weight of the C4 at just 1247kg, means that progress doesn’t feel laboured, with a 0-62mph time of 8.9 seconds.
The C4’s light weight, also helps enjoyment when you’re driving on country roads & it handles corners with aplomb. In the city, the cars quiet & with the on board reversing camera & parking aids, it’s easy to park. Head further afield onto the motorway & the adaptive cruise control that’s fitted, allows you to control the cars speed. We had no complaints here either.
The seats are comfy, four adults will fit on board, but five would be a push & the boot was more than large enough to take our things on a night away. The only negative I found, was that the combination of wide B pillars & the large C4 headrests, do combine to partially obscure the drivers view to the left when exiting a junction.
In our week on board the C4, where we travelled 300 miles of which two thirds was on the motorway, we averaged 43.2mpg, when the claimed sits between 47.3 & 54.7 mpg. Emissions are 123g/km & BIK is 28%.
Pros
The C4’s different & stands out from the competition & it’s all the better for it. The high equipment & safety features on board, make it good value for money. It offers a quiet & comfortable ride & decent fuel economy.
Cons
Whilst the infotainment works extremely well, the touchscreen & TFT are a little small. I can’t help but feel that the C Sector is in decline, as customers opt for SUV shaped models & I’m not sure that the C4 will do anything to change this.
Conclusion
The latest C4 is unmistakably a Citroen. Not only does it look like a Citroen, it drives like one too, so factor in some quirky French touches, soft suspension & a comfortable cabin. Add in the latest tech & safety features & the new C4 ticks an awful lot of boxes. For me, it’s refreshingly different from the usual five-door hatchback. Choose one & you are making a statement, that ordinary’s not for you.
Bravo Citroen ! 4/5
