The Citroën C4 is one of the most successful models in the recent history of the French brand. It is available with a gasoline engine and an electric one.
At a time when the public is demanding SUV-type vehicles, a good idea, from a commercial point of view, is to turn a model into an SUV, or at least appear to be one. This is how they understood it at Citroën with its compact segment C, available with electric versions and for less than 22,000 euros.
The Citroën C4 is one of the most successful models in the recent history of the French brand. A car that, after two generations with a typical compact tourism design, in this third installment adopts a format closer to a crossover.
This can be seen in its ground clearance of 156 millimeters, which is a measure lower than that of an SUV, but well above that offered by normal compacts. In addition, it shows a very muscular appearance and a design that leaves no one indifferent, as is customary in Citroën. It is worth noting the design of the C-pillar, inspired by the Citroën BX.
We therefore have a reinvented sedan, with certain SUV nuances, which stands out for its high ride comfort, thanks to the soft configuration of the suspensions and extra soft seats, a very French car for driving around the city and traveling in complete comfort.
Compact, with electric versions and for less than 22,000 euros
Little by little, the diesel engine is disappearing from the brand’s engine offer and in this Citroën C4 you can only choose between two gasoline options and a fully electric one, which we will talk about later.
The two electric versions correspond to the same engine: a block of three cylinders and 1.2 liters PureTech, with direct injection, supercharging by turbocharger, anti-particle filter and variable distribution in the intake and exhaust. It is available with two power levels, 100 and 130 hp, associated with a manual or automatic transmission EAT8 in the case of the most powerful.
About the automatic gearbox, it is an eight-speed torque converter type. It has a smooth operation, although not very fast. However, if you opt for manual gear selection, through the paddles on the steering wheel, the change is faster.
As we told you in our Citroën C4 test, it is a vehicle that seeks comfort, as demonstrated by its comfortable suspension with progressive hydraulic shock absorbers and its seats, with a soft padding that does not show fatigue and that filters, even more, the road irregularities.
There is also a 100% electric version with a ZERO label, called the Citroën ë-C4. In this case, it uses a 100 kW (136 CV) motor, powered by a brutal capacity 50 kWh battery, which gives it a range of 355 kilometers.
Modern and practical interior
Citroën has not only taken care of the exterior appearance of the C4 but also of the interior, although it must be said that it is more conventional than the C4 Cactus. We have a dashboard dominated by a digital screen, from which many functions of the vehicle are controlled. The good thing is that the management of the climate control is separate.
Behind the wheel, a small screen acts as an instrument panel. Little is not a figure of speech, she’s five inches. Even so, it offers clear information, although the rev counter is only seen in one of the configurations, the so-called Quadrants (there are four more: Minimum, Navigation, Driving and Computer).
Another characteristic of the French sedan is the number of holes to deposit objects distributed throughout the cabin and the tray that unfolds on the passenger side stands out to support a tablet.
In terms of habitability, the C4 offers enough space to comfortably seat four adults, although the drop roof design to give it that coupé look limits headroom. Instead, the legroom is very good. The trunk has a capacity of 380 liters, which is average for its category.
Worth?
The Citroën C4 is a smooth car, as it likes in the neighboring country. On the road, it behaves more comfortably than dynamically, which is ideal for covering long journeys without hardly noticing the passing of the kilometres. But if you pick up the pace a bit, the sway is noticeable, which is not helped by its ground clearance.
As a car to travel, it is perfect, especially the gasoline version. The electric is a completely different world, much smoother and quieter, but for use on short journeys.
The Citroën C4 has a starting price of 20,885 euros, with the basic finish Live Pack and the 100 CV gasoline engine with manual transmission. As for the electric C4, it starts at 35,635 euros, with a higher level of equipment, Feel Pack, although it can benefit from the aid of the MOVES III Plan.
