Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

Citroen C4 Cactus (2014-2020) - Engines, performance and drive

There aren’t many engine choices, but they do the job. The smooth ride is excellent

Engines, performance and drive rating

4.0

How we review cars
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

On the road, the C4 Cactus is a relaxing cruiser. The new clever suspension tech means that the car wafts over all manner of road surfaces. It’s a far more comfortable car because of it. The trade off for this is that the C4 Cactus does generate pronounced roll through the corners, and there’s more pitch and dive under acceleration and braking than in its rivals.

Advertisement - Article continues below

There’s decent grip though, so while not conventionally sporty to drive, it remains enjoyable. Improvements in sound insulation, combined with that ride, means that the Cactus is an accomplished motorway cruiser, too.

The manual gearbox was a let-down in earlier Cactus models, but the 2018 facelift has brought a noticeable improvement. It’s still not the sweetest shifting car, but much of the old car’s sloppy, vague feel has gone.

The ratios, however, remain quite widely spaced, so you have to do quite a lot of forward planning to avoid finding yourself in the wrong gear at the wrong time. This can take some hard work from the engines, which in the diesel model results in a slightly unpleasant gruff sound. However, the C4 Cactus has sharp brakes, and stops well – again, helped by the Citroen’s low weight.

Engines, 0-60 acceleration and top speed

While the C4 Cactus was once offered with a decent array of engines, the powertrain line-up now consists of a 1.2-litre PureTech petrol with 108bhp and a 1.5-litre BlueHDi diesel with 99bhp. As a result, neither engine is bristling with power, though the car’s low kerb weight does at least allow reasonable performance. Citroen claims a 0-62mph time of 10 seconds flat for the diesel C4 Cactus, and quotes a slightly faster time of 9.3 seconds for the petrol version.

At one point, the C4 Cactus was offered with a six-speed automatic gearbox. However, it has now been phased out, leaving the six-speed manual as the only available gearbox until the car’s production run ends.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Not bothered by MoT advisories? That may be about to change
Protyre area manager Simon Hall inspecting a Vauxhall Corsa's tyre

Not bothered by MoT advisories? That may be about to change

The number of MoT failures caused by worn tyres is on the rise, and experts are calling for mandatory follow-ups on advisories
News
12 May 2025
Confirmed: New VW Golf GTI will be electric – and it’s a “monster”
VW Golf GTI badge

Confirmed: New VW Golf GTI will be electric – and it’s a “monster”

VW is taking the iconic hot hatchback brand into the electric era with the new Golf GTI EV already in development…
News
13 May 2025
Audi e-tron GT gets huge £20k price cut as new entry-level quattro joins range
Audi e-tron GT quattro - front 3/4 dynamic

Audi e-tron GT gets huge £20k price cut as new entry-level quattro joins range

Most basic e-tron GT also comes with the longest range and nigh-on 500bhp
News
13 May 2025