Citroen C4

Vive la difference!

Citroen has often taken a different path to its rivals and siblings. and in its new C-Sector contender, the C4, that desire to be different is still strong, says Andrew Walker

With the Government recently announcing an end to the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030, it’s no surprise that a number of car manufacturers are taking the opportunity to launch new models across all platforms.

The PSA Group began this evolution in 2019 with the Peugeot 208/e-208 and Vauxhall Corsa / Corsa-e, and the cycle now includes the new kid on the block, the Citroen C4 and e-C4. This comes in 100 per cent electric, petrol or diesel models and is a larger, more practical car than the smaller 208 and Corsa.

With the rise of SUVs, C-Sector cars are not as dominant as they once were. None the less, Citroen sees its new C4 as a very important model and it comes to market with new engines and a completely new design.

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 – and two Euro 6d Diesel engines: Blue HDi 110 S&S 6-speed manual and Blue HDi 130 S&S EAT8 Auto. All will be familiar to existing Citroen and Peugeot customers.

There’s a new body shape which 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 new LED V-shaped front and rear lighting signatures, and these are coupled with nods to Citroens of yesteryear such as the CX and GS on the rear, side and boot panels. There’s also SUV-like side cladding and wheel arch extensions mirroring the Citroen SUV range. The rear end features a high-level rear spoiler, a split rear screen and a chunky rear bumper.

The new C4 has short front and rear overhangs which creates a long wheelbase of 2,670 mm. The car itself measures 4,360 mm long, 1,800 mm wide and 1,525 mm high. Thanks to its elevated stature, it offers a higher ‘eye-point’ than the competition, at 1.22 m, increasing visibility, while driving and giving front seat passengers an SUV-like feel.

The boot matches the space of a Golf with 380 litres available and a useful split floor and low loading lip. There’s also a ski-hatch on higher spec models.

Inside, the latest C4 owes a lot to the current designs found on board the DS range, so factor in high-tech interiors, with large, comfortable seats and plenty of options. For example, customers are able to configure their car to suit their preferences, with 31 exterior colour combinations and six ambiences inside the cabin.

The interior quality is a step-up for Citroen. Softly shaped door panels and multiple storage compartments add a dash of opulence while a new chevron grain pattern on the dashboard and the interior colour schemes co-ordinate the seats with the door panels for an executive feel. Comfort standards are greatly enhanced by the addition of the Advanced Comfort® programme first seen in the C5 Aircross.

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 (CitroënTM) with mobile phone storage. In effect, it’s an iPad holder so that front seat passengers can watch a film or TV programme while on the move. A clever as well as useful addition.

In the centre, at the top of the dashboard,

you’ll find a slim, gloss black 10” touchscreen, with a physical chrome dial and 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 and large colour head-up display, which give the driver essential driving information right in front of their eyes.

Buyers have their choice of four trim-levels: Sense, Sense Plus, Shine and Shine Plus. The entry-level Sense model comes as standard with LED headlights,18” alloys, rear parking sensors, lane-keep assist, an active safety brake,10” touchscreen, dual-zone climate control and an electric parking brake. The cheapest petrol Sense is priced from £20,990

Sense Plus models start from £23,840. Choose this version and it adds a heads-up display, a rear parking camera, an interior LED lighting system, two USB sockets and a tablet mount, plus a host of connected services such as live traffic and weather information.

Prices for the Shine range begin at £26,390. This model includes rear privacy glass, front and rear parking sensors, adaptive LED headlights, adaptive cruise control and active blind spot detection.

Range topping Shine Plus adds on a wireless smartphone charging pad, leather and textile upholstery, heated front seats, a premium stereo system with a sub-woofer and Citroen’s highway driver assist system, which can automatically adjust the speed and direction of the vehicle under motorway driving conditions. Prices start from £27,590.

We got an opportunity to drive a C4 left-hooker, a range-topping Shine Plus.

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 and fittings are very well made and feature a little bit of Citroen’s quirkiness which I really appreciate, as it enables the C4 to stand out. It’s no Ford Focus or VW Golf and it’s all the better for it.

For those sat up front, passenger space is decent, but a combination of the car’s sloping roof and the dark anthracite 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.

We were driving the PureTech 130 SandS EAT8 Auto and it’s a unit we know well from both the Peugeot 508 and C5 Aircross. The auto box offers a relaxing drive, which coupled with Citroen’s Advanced Comfort system help the C4 glide over pot-holed terrain. When tested in traffic in and around Coventry the C4 was refreshingly quiet, while on the motorway there’s plenty of acceleration where required and the adaptive cruise control meant worry-free driving.

All the car controls are within easy physical reach and the menu options and functions accessed via the touchscreen are simple to understand. The separate heating controls are an added bonus, allowing you to keep your eyes on the road ahead.

The infotainment system had been configured for the UK, so we sampled the DAB radio and connected our iPhone to Apple Car Play. The connection was seamless and a couple of hands-free calls were made en route. It’s certainly a nice cabin to be in and with the added tablet holder fitted to our test car, passengers can be entertained as well.

Do I have any reservations? None about the car itself, I really liked it. But I can’t help but feel that the C-Sector is in decline as customers opt for SUVs, and I’m not sure that the petrol or diesel C4 will do anything to change this. The electric version should be a winner, however.

The latest C4 may be completely new, but it’s 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 and a comfortable cabin. Add in the latest tech and safety features and the new C4 ticks an awful lot of boxes.

For me, it’s refreshingly different from the usual five-door hatchback fare. Buy or lease one and you are making a statement, that ordinarys not for you. And with an electric version too, there’s a C4 for everyone.

“Fixtures and fittings are well made and feature a little bit of Citroen’s quirkiness, which I like”

CC&V VERDICT

Quirky and refreshingly different as only a Citroen can be. Can’t wait to get our hands on it again for a longer test drive

CC&V RATING: N N N N