Citroen C4 review
The Citroen C4 is a good choice for long-distance drivers who list comfort and fuel economy as top priorities
The Citroen C4 was redesigned in 2011 and is one of the most comfortable mid-sized family cars you can buy. However, it's not much fun to drive as rivals like the Ford Focus or Volkswagen Golf. The cabin is practical, although rear seat space is compromised to make for a big boot. Citroen recently added the micro hybrid engined e-HDI diesel engine to the car's line-up. Thisgets an automatic gearbox as standard and offers combined fuel economy of 74mpg.
Our pick: C4 e-HDI 110 Airdream EGS6 VTR+
Styling
Thanks to a 2011 redesign, the Citroen C4 has no problem turning heads. Its sharply styled bodywork makes it one of the most distinctive looking family cars money can buy - a theme that continues inside. There's a button-heavy steering wheel, while top-spec Exclusive cars get massage front seats. It's not all good news, though. The rear seats are a little cramped, and the Citroen feels light on luxuries compared to the likes of the technology laden Ford Focus.
Driving
Soft suspension might offer the last word in comfort, but on a winding road, this car is not much fun to drive. The steering is light and offers very little in the way of feel and precision. At least the car puts in an unrivaled performance on the motorway. It's cabin is almost completely free of wind noise, while the diesel engines run smoothly and quietly. The fastest car you can buy is powered by a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine, offering a 0-62mph sprint of 8.7 seconds. The range-topping 2.0-litre diesel is a shade slower, but also delivers excellent fuel economy.
Reliability
With six airbags as standard, the Citroen C4 is a safe car. In fact, Euro NCAP awarded the C4 a full five stars in its crash safety tests. Citroen's eTouch service also features, which allows you to call – and be located by – emergency services if you break down or have an accident.
Practicality
Although the Citroen C4 gets a 408 litre boot, which is one of the most spacious in its class, the car's design does make it rather awkward to load. The cabin however is very well designed, and offers lots of storage cubbies. If you choose an e-HDI edition, you get an automatic gearbox, and a coolbox in the centre console big enough for a couple of 500ml drinks bottles.
Running Costs
Depreciation is savage, so make sure you get a discount when buying new from a dealer. At least running cost are low. The e-HDI engined Citroen C4 is a star performer - returning combined fuel economy of 74mpg. The so-called micro hybrid engine features stop and start technology to save fuel in stationary traffic, plus Citroen EGS automatic gearbox, which swaps gears via steering wheel mounted paddles. It's not very smooth, and requires you to change your driving style to make smooth shifts.
