Citroen is preparing to unveil a ‘C-segment sedan’. Although it remains to be seen what that means in concrete terms, it is in any case known that the successor of the C4 / C4 Cactus is coming. Time to pick some used predecessors from the used car range.
Citroen ZX (1993)
You have to draw a line somewhere, so we won’t go further back than the ZX. Make no mistake, this is already a 27 (!) Year old car and not surprisingly it is also the cheapest from this list. The ZX was introduced two years before this model was built, and with this model, Citroën clearly lost some of its extravagance from previous decades. Although the lines did not make an indelible impression, the driving behavior was remarkably good. The unfortunately not entirely trouble-free steering rear axle contributed to this and ensured that the ZX was not only comfortable, but also quite dynamic. This one has the only 75 hp atmospheric 1.4 under the hood, so don’t expect a wolf in sheep’s clothing. For just under € 800, however, you cannot easily have reason to complain.
Citroen Xsara (2002)
After the ZX, Citroën continued to build on the same base (shared with the Peugeot 306). That platform had proven itself and was allowed to continue in a modernized version with the fresh coach of the Xsara on it. Once again, the design did not cause a landslide, certainly not next to the Peugeot brother. Nevertheless, the Xsara Citroën delivered a considerable sales success and the second-hand offer is still abundant. An Xsara costs relatively no flute anymore, but you still have a reasonably modern and pleasantly driving car. Especially if you have, as with this facelift Xsara, the 2.0 sixteen valve in the nose.
Citroen C4 (2005)
The first generation of the Citroën C4 showed that the French had their whimsy back. After the somewhat inconspicuous ZX and Xsara, this was really something completely different. Especially the three-door ‘Coupé’ still manages to get together here at the editorial board thanks to its special butt. If you are in the market for it, the VTR is definitely recommended. It is not a tear sample, but you still want at least the 109 hp 1.6 (the one for the THP) and as a VTR it is nicely decorated. Although such a C4 in red is perhaps best seen, this black is certainly not a crazy appearance.
Citroen C4 (2011)
As striking as the first C4 was, so anonymous was the second. Although the design has stood the test of time, it is the least noticeable car of this entire list. At the same time, it all looks reasonably fresh and it also drives fine. It is watch out for the HDIs of that time, because they are unfortunately not as problem-free as you might expect from a French diesel engine. The 1.6 VTi that was in this generation of the C4 was better than that of its predecessor, so we serve one of them. This C4 is also nice in its stuff and that is of course so nice.
Citroën C4 Cactus (2015)
Just when we thought that the C4 had taken a somewhat duller path, Citroen came up with the C4 Cactus. The Cactus was not entirely in one bloodline with the aforementioned cars, but of course we cannot omit it. What a wonderfully striking thing this is. Such a pity that almost very lease-driving Netherlands went for a black or other boring version. Go crazy, buy a purple! Or a bright green, of course, as the C4 Cactus was introduced to the world at the time. Nowadays the eccentric can be used second hand for a very reasonable price. Comfortable in French, but no steering wheel wonder. The operation is also a bit strange here and there. In any case, it is not boring and in that respect it is a lot nicer than alternative choices in that price range!