Citroen C4: The crossover SUV with style
The Citroen C4 makes a bold statement as it sets them up to return to the family car market. It features bold styling which is delivered in a shape which seems to defy a category, the wheelbase and length reflects competitors in the hatchback space, but the rest of the design is in-line with a crossover SUV. However, you wouldn’t be wrong to mistake it for a coupe-style SUV thanks to the roofline.
With availability in petrol, diesel and electric, this crossover can appeal to a wide range of audience. The design stands out significantly when compared to competitors such as the Volkswagen Golf or the Ford Focus, on the other hand the price puts it in the Mazda CX-30 and Volkswagen Taigo territory.
What is the Citroen C4 interior like?
The SUV crossover design of the Citroen C4 means that your seating position crosses over too. You sit higher than the hatchbacks but lower than other compact SUVs. The seats are comfortable, making motorway trips easy, and each range level features adjustable lumbar support.
The dashboard brings a breath of fresh air. Physical buttons control the air conditioning, moving away from other cars which are steering towards having all the controls in a touchscreen. The physical buttons leave you one less distraction that comes from blindly tapping a screen with no feedback on what you tapped on.
Overall, the interior is one of the best from Citroen so far, surpassing cars from the rest of their range. It features a good level of build quality and a nice range of materials, reflected in a more refined experience. The inclusion of various soft-touch surfaces and solid panels puts it in the same league as its competitors whilst outshining anything that Citroen have put out in the past.
Each version of the Citroen C4 comes standard with a respectable 10” screen, including the very handy Apple CarPlay & Android Auto. The base model doesn’t include sat nav, but outside of that, the features are the same.
How well does the Citroen C4 drive?
Regardless of which engine you pick (although you are limited in choice), don’t expect to be using the Citroen C4 for country road racing on the way back from work. It’s clear from the moment you sit in the C4 that Citroen have focused on comfort over performance. That may be a dealbreaker for some, but for the most part, Citroen has never been synonymous with sporty.
So, what have Citroen done to hit the comfort mark? The ride is certainly smooth and the noise suppression is noticeable. Flying down the motorway, you’ll notice that the wind and road noise are reduced considerably. All versions of the Citroen C4 feature ‘progressive hydraulic cushion’ suspension, this suspension is designed to offer a nice soft driving experience but stops it feeling bouncy.
Overall, you’ll find that driving around town will be a smooth experience. The Citroen C4 tackles the bumps, pot-holes and rough roads well. Couple this with a good turning circle and the C4 becomes a breeze to drive around the town.
How practical is the Citroen C4?
As with many coupe-like vehicles, you’ll quickly realise that the rear view is extremely restricted. This is for two reasons; the first being the very nature of the coupe shape but the second reason being the inclusion of quite a chunky spoiler cutting across the rear windscreen which restricts it further. All versions of the Citroen C4 come with rear parking sensors, but if you find yourself needing more visibility, it might be worth pushing for a higher spec with a built in reversing camera.
Whilst the Citroen C4 is a large car approaching the size of an SUV, it certainly feels less roomy on the inside. This isn’t to say that it is cramped; the design of the coupe-like rear may reduce some interior space, but it’s still spacious enough for a shorter person to sit in the back, although tall people beware. Even in the driver seat, you’ll find plenty of adjustability to allow the driver to find their perfect driving position.
The boot in the Citroen C4 isn’t anything to shout about. The 380l boot is reasonable but only just matches the space you would get from smaller competing hatchbacks such as the Volkswagen Golf. Compare the C4 with smaller SUVs and you’re look at 456l from the Ford Puma, a significant difference from the C4. However the boot floor can be lifted to gain additional space, allowing you to store smaller items underneath.
Take a look at the latest Citroen C4 lease deals at AMT Auto
AMT currently have a lease deal for the Citroen C4 1.2 Puretech You 5dr as the Deal of the Week.
Alternatively find all the latest AMT Auto leasing deals.