The Citroen C4/E-C4 is a model that’s moved with the times. First it was a practical five-door hatch, or three-door coupe, with the avant-garde styling you’d expect from a car from the double chevron brand. The next-generation version, launched in 2009, had toned-down styling, which resulted in a fall in sales. Then, back came the quirky, with door protecting airbumps, for the C4 Cactus in 2014, before it became the C4 hatchback in 2020.
The current C4/E-C4 seems to have just the right amount of quirky, with its tall SUV styling, but small family hatch dimensions. That, and the fact it’s available both in ICE and EV versions, with all versions offering a refined and impressively comfortable drive, has helped the C4 stand out against Stellantis sister cars, such as the Peugeot 308 and our current family car favourite, the Vauxhall Astra.
Design and interior
Now, the C4/E-C4 has received its mid-life facelift. Outside, this means a redesigned grille with Citroen’s new logo in the centre, plus slim LED headlights. The lights feature an unusual signature, divided into three distinctive horizontal elements, and the lower part also integrates the LED directional indicators.
The rear design of the C4 has been given a cleaner, simpler look, with more conventionally styled rear light clusters, and with ‘Citroen’ spelt out across the middle – rather than the double-chevron logo.
At the side, the side guards have smoothed to give a more dynamic look, and the ‘Colour Clips’ that debuted on the E-C3 are now part of the design. There are also new wheel designs, and new colours.
Inside, the biggest change is for the Plus and Max equipment grades, which get an all-new 7in HD instrument cluster, along with the standard 10in touchscreen. This touchscreen is running the latest-generation infotainment system with connected 3D navigation – although it can’t hide the fact that the rest of the cabin feels quite dated.
Elsewhere in the C4’s cabin, the Advanced Comfort front seats have been redesigned to enhance the interior comfort, which along with the Advance Comfort suspension, must equal the most comfortable car in its class.
Performance and drive
The facelifted Citroen C4 is available with a choice of electric and two mild hybrid powertrains with 100hp and 136hp. The mild hybrid versions mate a 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine with a 28hp electric motor, and a 48V belt starter for starting the engine quickly and charging the 48V lithium battery, located under the passenger seat. Bringing this all together is an electrified six-speed dual-clutch gearbox.
There are also two EV versions, the first with a 50kWh battery and 136hp with a 223-mile range. The other has a larger 54kWh battery and 156hp, with a 264-mile range. Both are capable of a 20-80% charge in under 30 minutes.
We drove the E-C4 with the bigger 54kWh battery in range-topping Max spec first, and as before, it feels willing enough in everyday use. With reasonable acceleration off the mark, and instant torque, this electric Citroen never feels underpowered. The only change to the driving experience is if you engage ‘Sport’ mode, which most noticeably sharpens up the throttle response. This almost seems at odds with the C4’s comfortable, refined, and relaxed character – even on the Max spec’s 18in alloy wheels. Or, if you engage ‘Eco’ mode, which does the opposite and retards the throttle. The only demerit, apart from the body roll, is the slow steering, which lacks feel.
We also had the chance to drive a 136hp mild hybrid version, which feels largely the same as in other Stellantis products, although perhaps because of the C4’s cushioned ride, it’s more refined here. It boasts 125g/km official CO2 emissions, a 30% company car tax BIK figure, plus up to 62.1mpg fuel economy in Max spec, but this Citroën feels slower and noisier than its 8.0 second 0-62mph acceleration figure would suggest.
Facelifting the Citroen C4 and E-C4 has given this small family rival a serious shot in the arm, in what is a difficult sector thanks to the growth of SUV sales. Whether you choose ICE or EV power, the C4/E-C4 is a likeable, high value package (prices start at £22,295), which will take the fight to Chinese opposition and deserves serious consideration.
Positive: Decent EV range, impressive ride and refinement, well-equipped, affordably priced
Negative: Comfortable rather than fun to drive, dated interior, some odd spec omissions, look and feel might not appeal to all
Standard equipment: 18in alloy wheels, rear parking sensors, reversing camera, dual-zone automatic air conditioning, front and rear electric windows, auto headlights, rain-sensing front windscreen wipers,
Engines: Mild hybrid: 100hp 1.2, 136hp 1.2; Electric: 136hp, 156hp
Equipment grades: You, Plus, Max
Transmissions: Six-speed DCT automatic, single-speed automatic
| Model | Citroen E-C4 54kWh Max |
| P11D | £30,095 |
| Residual value | TBC |
| Depreciation | TBC |
| Fuel | £2,765 |
| Service, maintenance and repair | TBC |
| Cost per mile | TBC |
| Range | 264 miles |
| CO2 (BIK%) | 0g/km (2%) |
| BIK 20/40% a month | £10/£20 |
| Luggage capacity | 380 litres |
| Battery size/power | 54kWh/156hp |
| Score | 7/10 |
