Citroen C4 review

Over the years, Citroen cars have had variable levels of quality when it comes to interiors.

So it comes as a nice surprise that they’ve pulled quite a few of the stops out – if not all – when it comes to the C4.

Generally, there’s the use of pretty high-quality materials including soft-touch plastics along with thickened glass and extra sound insulation to keep road, wind and engine noise to a minimum.

Driving position

The driving position is good with excellent all-round visibility and the comfortable seats offer a high level of adjustability.

Top-of-the-range models even have a massage function that can be a very useful addition on long journeys.

The instrument panel is clear and well laid out – you can even choose from different background colours according to your taste.

Tech and features

Many drivers will also appreciate that the air conditioning and climate control have physical buttons that are much easier to use than the touchscreen.

This is 10 inches and sits in the middle of the dashboard.

It is intuitive to use and looks good, especially when coupled with the compatible Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

The rear seats are roomy enough for two but may be a bit of a squeeze for three.

Handling and ride comfort

Comfort has always been another of Citroen’s big selling points - sometimes at the expense of handling.

That’s why the car has hydraulic dampers that are designed to soak up the things that go ‘bump’ in the road – and they are very successful at doing this. 

The trade-off is the roll that can occur when you take a corner even at a quite moderate speed.

And this, combined with fairly light and imprecise steering, means that it’s not the most exciting car to drive.

So, it’s not likely to appeal if you want some sportiness from your SUV.

If it’s utility you’re looking for, that’s a different story.

Boot space

While it’s nowhere near class-leading, there should be plenty of room enough for most people’s needs in the boot – and certainly enough to bring home the bacon and the rest of the week’s big shop. 

The car’s touring abilities mean it’s likely to be taking plenty of people on holiday and there’s ample room for luggage too.

The variable height boot floor adds an extra level of flexibility and when the rear seats are folded down the space is undoubtedly generous. 

Storage solutions

Citroen has also provided plenty of cubby holes and other storage spaces to prevent all those essential odds and ends from getting under your feet.

Fuel economy

As with all cars, the fuel consumption that you can expect from a C4 depends on whether you go petrol or diesel.

In both cases, it’s not too great.

For petrol engines, you’re looking at the upper 30s mpg and around 50mpg for the diesels. 

Something very useful is the excellent stop-start system that contributes to reducing both emissions and fuel consumption.

Insurance groups

Insurance is pretty reasonable though, and certainly no more expensive than any of the car’s main competitors. Sitting in between insurance groups 13 and xx, the C4 won't cost the world to own.