In-depth reviews

Citroen C4 Cactus review - Interior, design and technology

Eye-popping exterior design and touchscreen controls on the inside mean the C4 Cactus has plenty of style

Overall Auto Express Rating

4.0 out of 5

Interior, design and technology Rating

4.6 out of 5

Find your Citroen C4
Offers from our trusted partners on this car and its predecessors...
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Advertisement

One thing’s for sure, the C4 Cactus is a car that embraces the Citroen brand’s quirky past, and its proportions are unlike anything else on the road: Raised suspension, a low roof, long wheelbase and rounded nose give it a shape that falls somewhere between a crossover and a hatchback.

The front end takes some inspiration from the C3, with high-set LED running lights integrated into the outer edges of the front grille, while the main headlamp units sit just below. Further back, the curvy wheelarches feature plastic extensions, and behind this the sides of the car incorporate one of its big talking points – the Airbump panels.

On the facelifted model, these have moved from their previous prime spot, across the middle of the doors, to their lower edges. While not as conspicuous - or as squidgy - as before, they still offer useful protection from potential car park dings and paint scrapes.

While the new Airbumps aren’t offered in the same range of colours as the old ones, on top spec Flair models they’re available with a choice of coloured highlights which break up the large swage of black plastic. The Airbumps have disappeared at the rear, too, which makes it look a little bit more plain than before. 

Those C-pillars appear thick from the outside, although they don’t actually spoil over-the-shoulder visibility. A variety of shades are on offer, with buyers able to personalise their cars to a fair extent. You can go for a subdued colour or a vibrant finish to show off the Citroen’s unusual design elements and, in fact, the brighter the better, as it picks out the C4 Cactus’s striking design and contrasting areas.

Inside, the C4 Cactus takes inspiration from the upmarket DS range, and features a stylish layout that has a premium feel. There are asymmetric air vents on the centre console, a top-opening glovebox, luggage handle-inspired door pulls, a seven-inch touchscreen and a smart-looking oblong readout ahead of the driver.

The seats are wonderful, and the driving position is low so the C4 Cactus doesn’t feel as tall from behind the wheel as the suspension suggests. In the back Citroen has ditched the single-piece folding rear bench of the earlier cars and replaced it with split-folding, while the touchscreens that control the heating, infotainment and other vehicle functions mean the interior feels far from basic.

Some of the plastics used lower down in the cabin look cheap, but everything you touch frequently – steering wheel, gearlever and door pulls, for instance – has a high-quality feel. You get all the essentials, too, such as climate control, Bluetooth connectivity and a DAB radio.

Sat-nav, stereo and infotainment

All C4 Cactus models feature a seven-inch touchscreen, which combines all secondary control functions for the radio and climate control in one space. It’s not the best system on the market, with slightly slow response times, and the need to switch away from the nav or media menus just to tweak the climate control can become tiresome. The graphics look clear and colourful, though.

Partnership
Need to sell your car?
Find your best offer from over 5,000+ dealers. It’s that easy.

The system includes a standard digital radio, while Bluetooth music streaming and Citroen Multicity Connect, which is a 3G and GPS-enabled app-hub are included. The Flair comes with the Navigation and Hi-Fi Pack, which includes a six-speaker stereo, 16GB Jukebox and Arkamys amplifier. Because the C4 Cactus is now available only in what was formerly the mid-range Flair trim, the standard equipment list also includes features like built-in sat-nav and a six-speaker stereo system.

Most Popular

New 2024 Dacia Duster: third generation of Europe’s best-selling SUV revealed
Dacia Duster - front
News

New 2024 Dacia Duster: third generation of Europe’s best-selling SUV revealed

Dacia has taken the wraps off the latest Duster, which arrives with a new look and fresh technology
29 Nov 2023
New BMW X3 replacement to grow in size and feature a minimalist dash
BMW Neue Klasse SUV exclusive image - front
News

New BMW X3 replacement to grow in size and feature a minimalist dash

BMW’s first Neue Klasse electric SUV could carry the iX3 nameplate and our exclusive images preview how it might look
30 Nov 2023
The paper-thin speakers set to transform car audio
Auto Express editor-in-chief Steve Fowler holding a speaker developed by Warwick Acoustics
Features

The paper-thin speakers set to transform car audio

British firm is planning to shake up the in-car hi-fi world with its audio panels that replace traditional speakers. We sound them out
27 Nov 2023