Name: Citroen C4 Review
Item: Citroen C4
Author: Gumtree.com

Is it a family hatchback? Is it an SUV? Is it a coupé? The Citroën C4 is something of a difficult beast to pin down. Looking at the shape, you might view it as a coupé SUV in the mould of the BMW X2, but it’s priced to go up against the likes of the Ford Focus and Volkswagen Golf and SUVs such as the Skoda Karoq. In a world where more and more cars are looking to cut a sporty dash, the C4 stands out by going for comfort and convenience, with its Progressive Hydraulic Cushion suspension standard across the range.

Check out the Citroën C4 model page to learn more and explore available cars.

What we think about the Citroën C4

The Citroën C4 is a decent family hatchback with funky crossover styling, offering the chance to ride in comfort without breaking the bank.

Pros

Comfortable ride

Striking looks

Well equipped

Cons

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Rivals are more exciting to drive

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Boot is on the small side

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Body leans a bit in bends

The Citroën C4 was unveiled in 2004. The engine line-up was updated in 2008 to comply with Euro 5 standards, and Citroën made changes to the bodywork and interior at the same time. The second generation landed in 2010, and saw the French marque pivot to a more conservative design. In 2019, trim levels Touch Plus, Feel Plus and Flair Plus were introduced, replacing the previous Touch Edition, Feel and Flair hierarchy. The third generation arrived in 2021, with the model rediscovering its stylish roots. Trim levels were revised again to Sense, Sense Plus, Shine and Shine Plus.

Driving performance of the Citroen C4

Our Driving Rating7 / 10

The emphasis with the C4 is on comfort rather than driving thrills. Its hydraulic dampers will soften big bumps in the road, and the difference from standard family hatchbacks is noticeable. The flipside of this kind of suspension is the way the C4 takes corners, with a fair degree of lean if you try to do it at speed. Steering is composed if not agile. The mid-range 128 bhp engine delivers decent punch at low revs and works well paired with the six-speed manual gearbox.

Safety and reliability of the Citroen C4

Our Safety Rating7 / 10

The C4 was awarded the full five stars by Euro NCAP back in 2010, but lost a star when the new model was tested in 2021 due to issues with its AEB system and a 57% score for pedestrian protection. The second generation featured electronic brake force distribution, emergency brake assist and traction control, along with an electronic stability program. The new generation adds a suite of safety kit including lane-keeping assist and a forward-collision warning system.

Under the bonnet of the Citroen C4

Our Engine Rating7 / 10

The second-generation C4 was offered with a choice of 1.4-litre or 1.6-litre petrol engines, as well as 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre diesels. The 2015 facelift brought in a brilliant 1.2-litre PureTech petrol engine as well as more efficient 1.6-litre diesels. In its most recent incarnation that 1.2-litre turbo is available in 99 bhp, 108 bhp, 128 bhp and 153 bhp versions. The 128 bhp version has plenty of poke and pulls hard from low revs.

What you'll find in the Citroen C4

Our Design Rating8 / 10

The combination of a curved coupé roofline, pumped-up wheel arches and elevated seating certainly makes the C4 stand out when compared to other family cars. The second generation saw the C4 smarten up and strike a more conservative pose, though the 2015 facelift updated it with new lights, front bumpers and colours. The third generation brought a return of the French flair that characterised the debut edition, with sharper lines, a new front light cluster and chunky black plastic trim.

Comfort and interiors in the Citroen C4

Our Comfort Rating8 / 10

Inside a C4 you’ll find plenty of space, along with a conventional but well-put-together interior. Instrument dials are stylish and easy to read, while the leather steering wheel looks and feels good. The view out of the rear window is compromised in the way you might expect from a coupé, but in the new generation the entry levels come with rear parking sensors to help mitigate this. Physical knobs for controlling the air conditioning are a bonus, being easier to operate on the go than a touchscreen.

What features you'll find in the Citroen C4

Our Features Rating7 / 10

Standard kit on the entry-level second-generation model included air conditioning, split/folding rear seats and a six-speaker surround sound audio system. There were also electrically adjustable, heated wing mirrors and cruise control with a speed limiter. Stepping up the trim levels brought things including fog lights, customisable colour instrument binnacles and a massage function on the front seats. The new model comes with 18-inch alloys, auto LED headlights and heated front seats as standard.

What fuel efficiency to expect from the Citroen C4

Our Fuel Consumption Rating8 / 10

Claimed figures for the second-generation C4 were impressive, particularly for the diesel-engined 1.6-litre HDi at 85.6 mpg. Other diesels in the range boasted figures between 60 mpg and 70 mpg, with the petrols ranging from 46.3 mpg to 60.1 mpg. Real-world reports show drivers achieving around 80% of these figures. The current generation sees the PureTech 130 petrol engine averaging more than 50 mpg on the WLTP test cycle, and the BlueHDI 130 diesel managing more than 60 mpg.

Running costs of the Citroen C4

Our Cost Rating8 / 10

The Citroën C4 sits in insurance groups ranging from 15 to 22, while servicing costs will likely be similar to what you’d pay for a more conventional family hatchback. The styling, pricing and equipment also help the C4 to hang on to its value better than most Citroëns.

Our verdict of the Citroen C4

4 / 5 Gumtree rating

The Citroën C4 makes an intriguing alternative to a conventional family hatchback, delivering the style of a coupé SUV at an affordable price.

Citroën C4 Review