Skip advert
Advertisement

Citroen C4 2010 review

Will revised hatch’s understated looks make it a more appealing prospect?

Overall Auto Express rating

3.0

How we review cars
Avg. savings
£3,162 off RRP*
Find your Citroen C4
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

The C4 is a competent compact family hatchback. It’s good looking, well made, relaxing to drive and efficient. Yet there’s a feeling that Citroen has toned down the C4 in order to put some distance between it and the upcoming DS4 crossover. It doesn’t stand out in the way that a Citroen should, and while it’s a good family car, there are plenty of rival models available that offer buyers a bit more spark.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Is this the Citroen that will ‘C’ off competition from Ford’s new Focus and the VW Golf? The French company has high hopes for the C4 – it’s been completely revised, getting a new look, even more economical engines and a real upmarket feel to tempt UK drivers.

On sale in January, prices will start at £16,000, rising to about £22,000. No three-door version will be available, but there will be a range-topping DS4 crossover to go with this five-door model. The new C4 has lost the distinctive rounded shape of its predecessor. It has a smart front end, with a C5-derived face and clamshell bonnet, but despite the long slashes in the sides and neat tail-lights, it’s all rather conventional.  

Video: watch CarBuyer's video review of the Citroen C4

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

C4

2023 Citroen

C4

37,090 milesManualPetrol1.2L

Cash £12,197
View C4
C4

2023 Citroen

C4

40,000 milesAutomaticPetrol1.2L

Cash £13,297
View C4
C4

2022 Citroen

C4

59,496 milesManualPetrol1.2L

Cash £10,000
View C4
C4

2022 Citroen

C4

32,124 milesManualDiesel1.5L

Cash £14,099
View C4

[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"content_narrow","fid":"69290","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image"}}]]

It’s longer than its predecessor by around 5cm (at 4.33m), as well as being wider. And combined with a panoramic glass roof, the cabin feels spacious and airy. The boot is bigger, too, at 408 litres, while further neat touches include coloured instrument lighting for the digital dials, a trip computer that helps you to drive more economically, and a choice of polyphonic tones to replace the usual dash beeps.  

Advertisement - Article continues below

Material quality is better than ever – with soft-touch plastics and classy metal trim – and the cabin is logically laid out. Equipment is decent, too. All VTR, VTR+ and Exclusive models are likely to have ESP, air-conditioning and alloy wheels, with the top-spec Exclusive getting leather and Bluetooth. Blind spot monitoring will also be available.

Out goes the controversial fixed-hub steering wheel of the old C4. As a result, the cabin feels similar to the exterior: classy but rather conservative.

Despite being bigger, the C4 doesn’t weigh any more than before. Yet Citroen has still managed to ensure a maximum five-star Euro NCAP crash test rating.

Under the bonnet, there’s a choice of three petrol engines, with 94bhp, 118bhp or 153bhp, and three HDi turbodiesels with 90bhp, 110bhp and 148bhp. There will also be a stop-start-equipped 110bhp e-HDi
from launch that emits around 109g/km of CO2. It will be joined by a tax-exempt 99g/km version shortly after.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Lower-powered models come with five-speed manual gearboxes, while higher-powered versions get a six-speed unit. A four-speed auto is available on the 118bhp petrol, while the 1.6-litre HDi diesel is equipped with Citroen’s automated manual gearbox, boasting steering wheel-mounted paddles or a selector on the centre console. It’s notoriously jerky – and it’s a shame there’s no twin-clutchtransmission, such as Ford’s PowerShift system or Volkswagen’s DSG, on offer.

Our 148bhp 2.0-litre turbodiesel flagship was punchy (0-62mph takes only 8.6 seconds), smooth and very economical.

On the motorway, the C4 is an excellent performer, thanks to a long top gear and fine ride, bolstered by comfortable seats and a lack of wind noise. In corners, it’s agile, but the precise steering could do with more feel. As a result, the overall package isn’t particularly engaging. In comparison, a Golf is more fun to drive, while we expect the new Focus to be even better.

Is the C4 a class leader? Not really. There’s much to like about it, but it won’t worry the established players too much.

Rival: Volkswagen Golf
With a wide engine range, brilliant build quality and an accurate, rewarding driving experience, the gimmick-free Golf is about as good as hatchbacks get.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Citroen C4

Citroen C4

RRP £19,940Avg. savings £3,162 off RRP*Used from £10,200
Renault Megane E-Tech

Renault Megane E-Tech

RRP £32,495Avg. savings £6,086 off RRP*Used from £15,681
Citroen C5 Aircross

Citroen C5 Aircross

RRP £24,685Avg. savings £5,525 off RRP*Used from £8,395
Citroen C3

Citroen C3

RRP £18,305Avg. savings £1,858 off RRP*Used from £3,994
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Ford Fiesta: latest details on supermini’s potential return
Ford Fiesta exclusive image

New Ford Fiesta: latest details on supermini’s potential return

The Ford Fiesta could be coming back as an electric car, and here’s everything we know so far
News
20 May 2025
Flawed hybrid car efficiency data to stifle UK EV sales and propagate pollution
Connecting charger to Hyundai Tucson PHEV

Flawed hybrid car efficiency data to stifle UK EV sales and propagate pollution

Half a million extra PHEVs could reach UK roads by 2030 in place of cleaner EVs due to changes surrounding the ZEV Mandate
News
19 May 2025
Kia is returning to its 'Keeping It Affordable' roots
Opinion - Kia

Kia is returning to its 'Keeping It Affordable' roots

Mike Rutherford thinks new cars are simply too expensive, but some manufacturers are starting to do something about it
Opinion
19 May 2025