Citroën C4 review: Smooth
While the previous C4 was a very classic car, committed to trend, the current generation (the third) plays in the yard of SUVs and other crossovers, with large wheels and increased ground clearance, but also a particular style that would not have displeased some Japanese brands .
On board
The model entrusted to us for this test is a high-end Pack Shine. Keys in hand, car unlocked when we arrive. Once on board we discover superb leather seats, heated, massaged and electrically adjustable. We were spoiled, it’s a €400 option. Their softness leaves no doubt that we are indeed on board a Citroën. Significant fact, in addition to high quality materials, the storage space is very numerous and well thought out, with a real drawer facing the passenger that can accommodate a laptop or a tablet. With a small accessory, the passenger can even fix his tablet in front of him thanks to a retractable holder in the dashboard. Big !
Under the driver’s eyes, the instrumentation is fully digital. Still happens for the impossibility of adjusting the display, but the dimensions of the screen are really ridiculously small (5.5 inches). This means that all the necessary information is available. In the center of the dashboard, the infotainment system’s screen is well integrated and has two shortcut keys (one for the home screen and one for accessing settings). Nothing to complain about, except that the reception of the DAB signal is really bad and the picture quality of the rear camera leaves a lot to be desired. A good point, however, for the air conditioning adjustment panel equipped with “real” knobs.
In the rear, side passengers have sufficient legroom thanks to the large wheelbase (2.70 m between the front and rear wheel axles). The middle one is of course a bit tighter.
In accordance with the style of the body, the loading sill is quite high. The flush floor is removable and hides a nice additional storage space. This results in a usable volume of 340 or 380 liters depending on the position of the removable floor and 1,250 liters with the rear seats folded down. Values perfectly in the middle of the segment.
Let’s end this chapter by specifying that, in terms of visibility, the two-piece rear window may not appeal to everyone, especially since there is no wiper provided.
On road
The strong point of this model is the quality of its cushioning. In its category, the C4 is certainly the only one to offer such a level of softness. However, cash movements are well controlled. In short, a remarkable comfort. The steering is soft and light, as is the actions of the lane keep assist, which we didn’t even try to turn off. Because comfort is in the foreground at this point, the C4 is obviously not very dynamic. But is that really what we expect from a car like this?
The 3-cylinder PureTech 130 PS, which is characterized by a special sound, also completely convinced us. Admittedly it’s not the one that benefits from the best vibration noise isolation in its category, but we can only appreciate its availability at low speeds and its expansion as soon as more is demanded. Our test model was equipped with the EAT8 automatic transmission. Again, it’s not the best (a few slight stutters remain perceptible), but the pleasure this box conveys still lives up to expectations. We can therefore only recommend it.
budget
The model provided to us costs €33,150. In view of the rich equipment (adaptive cruise control with stop & go function, traffic sign recognition, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring, reversing camera, head-up display, automatic bi-zones, hands-free entry/start, LED headlights with automatic high beam switching, networked navigation, etc. ) one can speak of a very good price/equipment ratio.
Conclusion
It is undeniable that the Citroën C4 is the most comfortable car in its segment. A real treat every day, at least for those who prefer smooth behavior to dynamics. The price positioning with prices starting at €23,850 is also advantageous. In fact, the hardest thing about the C4 is getting used to its twisted lines. But hey, the taste and the colors…
