Highlights
- Stand-out looks
- Practical for families
- Good to drive
- Impressive fuel economy
Introduction
The C4 may be one of French brand Citroën’s most cutting-edge models, but believe it or not, the name has actually been around since 1928.
And in that 94-year stretch, the popular compact car has surpassed a sales figure of a whopping 12.5 million.
You don’t shift that number of motors without learning some lessons on the way, and the C4 along with its sister electric variant the ë-C4 has evolved into one of the most desirable small cars on the market.
The entry-level model Sense Plus driven here is packed with equipment, safety tech, and takes on the road with ease.
Design and Practicality
The C4 is a stylish-looking car anyway with its racy, dynamic lines, and the gloss black trim surrounding the 10-inch touchscreen at the heart of the dash only adds to the effect.
While safety and efficiency are high on the priority list, the latest C4, aided by a few styling tweaks for 2022, places a healthy emphasis on passenger comfort.
The combination of it all is a cabin that’s not only modern – sculpted fabric with panelled white stitching – but spacious too.
Legroom is surprisingly generous in the back, where a centre rear passenger can sit comfortably flat, even when the front seats are slid fully back.
Stowage space is well considered with a pair of cupholders behind the 6-speed manual gear shift, bottle holders in each front door bin, two rubberised trays up front, a flip-up central container and magazine flaps in the front seat backs.
And if you need more luggage space than the 380-litre boot with its split-level floor can accommodate, then the rear seats split and fold 60:40 and completely flat.
You also get a low sill for easier loading, and there are also pockets at each side of the carrying area – all family-friendly and sensible.
Other practical compartments include a sliding drawer on the dashboard ideal for storing a tablet and cup holders in the rear armrest.
Technology and Safety
At the forefront is something called the Citroën Advanced Comfort programme, based around “progressive hydraulic cushions” to provide a flying carpet effect – even over uneven surfaces.
Then there’s another innovation in the shape of Advanced Comfort seats in an attractive mid-grey colour with visible padding, softness and support plus high density foam to avoid any sagging over time.
The C4 comes well specified through the model range, which features up to 20 driving assistance systems plus half a dozen connectivity technologies developed to boost safety and improve comfort.
Driving Experience
Both petrol and diesel engines are up for grabs with power outputs between 100 and 155bhp as well as the 100 percent electric powertrain, and our tested model was the 1.2-litre PureTech petrol unit developing 129bhp.
Light and spirited, the 1.2-litre petrol unit was everything you would need in a car of this type, while at the same time returning impressive fuel economy.
Mike Torpey
Our own return, recorded over 290 miles of mixed urban and motorway driving, was 44.7mpg, which compares favourably with the official combined figure of 47.3mpg.
Citroën’s sales pitch of a magic carpet ride wasn’t far off the mark, and the cabin remained well insulated against exterior wind and road noise throughout.
Summary
The Citroën C4 will serve families well thanks to its brilliant practicality and spacious interior, and where the car excels in practicality, it doesn't sacrifice style by any means.
Sense Plus models come with sleek aerodynamic design cues both inside and out and a surprising amount of kit to keep drivers safe and entertained throughout their journey.
