Citroen C4 review - Engines, performance and drive
Not the most dynamic or fun to drive, but the C4 offers excellent levels of comfort
Citroen has chosen to prioritise comfort for the third-generation C4, and a key piece of tech that helps to improve the ride is the use of hydraulic dampers, which are designed to more effectively deal with big bumps in the road and lessen any impact felt in the cabin. The system works well and you really notice the difference, compared to standard family hatches, when driving around town and taking on the scarred tarmac often found along urban routes.
What isn’t so great when driving the C4 is its overly-light steering which lacks any feel or feedback. Coupled with quite a bit of body roll through corners, you couldn’t say that the C4 is a particularly fun car to drive.
The 128bhp three-cylinder petrol engine has a reasonable amount of low-end punch, and is better paired with the six-speed manual ‘box rather than the eight-speed automatic transmission. The auto is smooth enough, but we think it’s best suited to the stronger 153bhp motor.
Engines, 0-60 acceleration and top speed
If you’re after the fastest C4, then the 153bhp 1.2-litre PureTech version is the one to go for: 0-62mph is dispatched in 8.5 seconds, before topping out at 129mph. The 128bhp variants aren’t too far behind, however, with the six-speed manual managing the same sprint in 8.9 seconds, and the auto taking a further 0.5 seconds to reach the benchmark.
Opting for diesel power, or the all-electric drive of the e-C4 doesn’t mean a reduction in performance, with the 128bhp oil-burner needing 9.5 seconds to reach 62mph and the EV half a second quicker.
