The fact that more and more high-rise cars are being sold is not news, but that the ancient hatchback is evolving into a higher model as a result is a new step. That’s what happened to the Citroën C4. In this test we take a closer look at the C4 with petrol engine, namely with the Puretech 130.
Citroën is a brand that always does things a little differently. It is different with design, interior and often with the general concept. That is no different with the new Citroën C4. It is the third generation C4, which, like its predecessors, simply has to compete in the C-segment with well-known models such as the Renault Mégane, the Opel Astra and the Hyundai i30. However, if you look ignorantly at the latest C4, you don’t expect it to be a successor to hatchbacks that came before it. Or is this perhaps the new C4 Aircross? After all, there was an SUV of the second generation, even if it had a different platform than the ‘low’ car of the same name. But no, the ferocious red monster on these pages is simply called C4, while it is clearly a car with a crossover design. It is high and has some tough elements on the outside to say the least. The nose is far from anonymous with its unusually shaped lamps. The plastic edges around the wheel arches are certainly not reminiscent of the somewhat clumsy predecessor. The car was unveiled with both fuel engines and electric drive in the form of the ë-C4. For this, the CMP platform had to be used, which also contains smaller models of the group. Technically, the car is therefore more related to the smaller Peugeot 2008 than, for example, the current C4 Picasso, which is on the EMP2 platform. When we first got acquainted, we only drove the electric version and therefore decided to add a petrol variant to our endurance test fleet. It became the 1.2-turbo engine with 130 hp and automatic transmission. Now that guest can also participate in this test.
Above average
We are riding the Shine version today. Together with some nice packages, the car comes to more than €36,000. We do have beautiful leather and include heated seats, good audio, autopilot and a sunroof. The car may be on a platform of smaller models, but we don’t see that in the interior. The materials used are above average for this price level, and everything also feels of good quality.
The step compared to the previous C4 is very large. We know the multimedia system in principle from other cars in the group. It is quite modern, but often works just a little too slow for our liking. Fortunately, the climate control is separate; We have seen that differently with the French. Given the height of the car, we are somewhat on the trestle, but that should come as no surprise. In order to find a good seating position, the seat has to be further than average to the rear, which does not benefit the legroom for any passengers. It is still in order, but because the car looks large from the outside, you count on more. The headroom in turn suffers a little bit from the shape of the coach. The trunk is 380 liters in size.
soft
The C4 is without a doubt one of the softest cars on the market. It really floats over the road, thanks in part to the pads at the end of the dampers. Even killer thresholds at high speed catch the chassis, something that fits well with Citroëns brand image. However, we find the car a bit too soft. It rolls and sways and large bumps cause too much unrest in the carriage, because the movement is not damped quickly enough. The brand new DS 4 we recently drove proves that this is not necessary. In the C4, comfort comes with some sacrifices and you have to take that into account. The drivetrain doesn’t help. We’re normally a fan of the 1.2-turbo from the Stellantis group, but the C4’s eight-speed automatic transmission keeps the engine revs so low when driving at a leisurely pace that there isn’t enough spunk out of it. For example, if you want to drive away a bit smoothly at the traffic light, you have to give extra gas, which sometimes leads to loss of traction with the relatively narrow tires (195). A manual gearbox would make a difference, because you can better control the revs of the engine, but perhaps the 155 hp version also feels a bit nicer. Once on the road, we are less disturbed by the drivetrain, although the automatic transmission could be a bit better in all cases. You can get started with the flippers behind the wheel, but the reactions are not very fast. Citroën wants to take a lot of work off your hands and especially filter out a lot of feeling. We respect the idea, but the execution could be better. The C4 dies a bit in beauty.
– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl