By Ian Strachan.
Citroen has rejuvenated its excellent mid-range C4 with a completely new design, higher spec and a new range of engines. The C4 is now available with petrol, diesel or electric power
The new C4 is sleek, elegant, nicely designed and oozes quality. It’s often an intangible feeling, but when you sit in this distinctive hatchback you know you’re in an exceptionally well built car.
The new C4 has a distinctive, slightly understated, classy design and looked at from any angle is a thing of beauty, with the roofline gently falling away to a well constructed rear end, and stylish 18-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels.
Inside too, this feels like a car of a more vaunted pedigree. It is spacious, well laid out and comfortable, with good driver and passenger width as well as plenty of head and legroom for rear seat passengers.
I test drove a C4 in PureTech trim level vehicle powered by a sprightly three-cylinder 1.2 litre direct injection turbo-petrol engine. Linked to a smooth and springy six-speed manual gearbox this engine has excellent power delivery at any speed. Despite developing 130 horsepower, this unit will still give up to 54.7 miles to the gallon in mixed driving.
Handling is excellent with nicely graduated power steering and flat cornering. The suspension set-up is gentle without being uncomfortable.
A good specification means that you get plenty of car for your money. In PureTech trim level you get cruise control with speed limiter, rear parking sensors with reversing camera and top rear vision, blind spot detection, a 10-inch touch screen for all primary vehicle functions including satnav with live traffic reports, speed camera alerts and a voice-activated DAB radio, rain sensitive wipers, LED front headlights, automatic dual zone air conditioning, all round electric windows, lane-keeping assist, hill start assist and all round airbags.
You also get Citroen’s Smart Pad Support – integrated support for attaching a tablet computer for use the front seat passenger – a good idea.
One thing you will notice about the C4 is how quiet it is. The engine is virtually silent inside the car, and wind and road noise are minimal.
I have to admit I like pretty much everything about this car. It has brought luxury car quality to the medium sector and is a delight to drive. At £23,010 on the road, it’s not that expensive either, when you look at the high specification.
