Citroen C4 review

This compact family car is a practical choice that’s ideal for everyday driving and will efficiently take you from A to B. It has a spacious and comfortable interior which makes for a relaxing drive. 

The C4 provides good levels of equipment and all models have engines that offer an excellent combination of performance and economy. So if you’re looking for economy and value rather than style, then it’s worth considering.

The dashboard features three main dials in the instrument cluster. They’re easy to read and there’s a central driving information screen for navigation and the stereo which you can scroll through using the buttons on the steering wheel. You can also change the lighting colours if you’d like. High spec models include a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system.

All of the air con and audio controls are well within reach, while the gearstick is well-placed adding to the good driving position.
The seats are really comfortable for both town and long-distance drives. There’s lots of space for those sitting in the front and the higher spec trims, like the Space Tourer, also come with a back massaging function. There’s a fair amount of space in the back, but legroom might be a bit tight if you have four adults in the car.
At 408 litres, the boot space is impressive with plenty of room for luggage. The seats also fold down to add more room if you need to transport larger objects, like a flat-pack purchase.

The C4 is more about comfort than dynamics, so its soft suspension handles bumps in the road quite easily. There’s a bit of body roll when going around corners, but it’s very comfy in towns and villages where you’ll most appreciate its ride.
The steering feels light, so parking and driving along narrow country lanes is easier. It also offers a relaxing drive on dual carriageways and motorways.
Its suspension keeps everything feeling very calm and there’s excellent sound insulation which creates a remarkably quiet cabin.

The 1.2-litre Puretech petrol provides a great combination of power and economy, even with the 128 hp version.

The C4 is great value when compared with rival models such as the Ford Focus and Vauxhall Astra.

Running costs are excellent with a claimed average consumption figure of 78 mpg in one of the diesels. Even the least efficient petrol versions should give you a figure in the mid 40s.
Fixed price servicing at Citroen dealerships is good and helps to keep running costs down. GT-Line and X-Line special editions could command slightly higher insurance premiums so make sure you check this before you buy.

Citroen is doing a great job of trying to improve its reliability record and its dealer network is committed to making their maintenance and service better.
Tested back in 2010, Euro NCAP gave the C4 a maximum of five stars for crash safety. It has six airbags, Isofix child seat anchor points and a stability control system.