Sometimes the best is the enemy of good. To want to “overplay” a personality halfway between a classic sedan and a SUV, the particular style of the 3rd generation of Citroën C4 launched at the end of 2020 was not unanimous at launch. But, thanks to its solid fundamentals, this does not prevent the car from making an honorable career. Because if we look at the 2024 sales figures, the Citroën is doing well: 2nd compact most sold in Europe behind the tireless Volkswagen Golf, the Citroën C4 is also the compact most bought by individuals in France, In front of the Peugeot 308 – the order is reversed in total sales, because the lioness is much more popular with the fleets. So, when offering him the essential restyling of mid-career, The rafters play the appeasement on the style side. In front, the gaze is simplified, while adopting the latest Citroën codes as well as the new logo. The car seems wiser, especially in this new “Manhattan Green” shade with pastel green. Same topo on the stern side, where optics, now organized on a single horizontal plane, refine the silhouette. Tour like the black banner that links them, now marked with a “Citroën” in all letters.
Some welcome changes on board
Behind these modifications which are seen as the nose in the middle of the figure, Citroën has made far fewer changes inside. The most obvious is the arrival of a new 7 -inch handset behind the steering wheel, in place of the 5 -inch original. Beyond that, from enlarged display, progress comes mainly from modernized graphics, the ancients being most simplistic. This rejuvenates a cabin of which The sense of reception is also reinforced by “Advanced Comfort” seats – delivered as standard from the second level of finish baptized more – which have been redesigned. The seat is reinforced by a thicker 15 mm foam while the lateral maintenance has been (too little) reinforced. Lastly visible modification, Citroën simplified the layout of the dashboard in front of the passenger. Finished, the two glove boxes and the tablet support (whose location we still see), the new Citroën C4 is now satisfied with a single glove box, with an increased capacity by the way.
Always as welcoming
For the rest, apart from the essential updates of driving aids and the infotainment system, the Citroën C4 remains faithful to itself. Here is a sedan which, failing to refer in terms of realization – honorable but without more -, puts space and practical aspects in the spotlight. In its 4.35 m long (-1 cm) and 1.80 m wide, the French offers a spacious interior. Especially in the rear seats, where the space to lengthen its legs is generous. Only downside, the grown-ups may feel a little bit engonen behind, the steep roof fault, responsible for a fairly any roof guard. Question storage, there is everything you need, with door bins of good capacity and large accommodation under the central armrest. Without forgetting, at the bottom of the console, under the induction smartphone charger and the two USB sockets, a small “discreet” housing very practical to hide menu objects away from eyes. Finally, the trunk, apart from a high threshold (73 cm), appears just as welcoming as before. The capacity measured before restyling and always topical (300 dm3 under tablet table at the bottom) appears honorable for the category.
Flat calm under the hood … and driving
Citroën, on the other hand, did not deem it useful to make technical modifications to its compact family sedan. No new engines on the program, therefore, or developments in terms of suspensions or management. In addition to two electrical variants (136 and 156 hp), the range therefore revolves (diesel disappeared in early 2024), as before, around a PureTech 130 version with automatic transmission and two 100 and 136 hp hybrids. At the wheel of the latter, we realize that the Citroën C4 is still in the blow. It is still not the most exciting driving compact that is – a 308 or even a VW Golf are more engaging – the fault of an incisive direction, offering more sweetness than feeling of the road. But the imperturbable rear axle of the Citroën and its balanced reactions in an emergency make it a companion all the more reassuring than its hydraulic stop shock absorbers smoke the road with talent. The slowders and the rowed roads are swallowed with talent and the few headings from the 18 -inch wheels are completely bearable. The suitable soundproofing, despite some air noises, completes to convince that this Citroën C4 is completely frequentable on a daily basis … Even if it is necessary to accept the lack of fluidity imposed by hybridization on the economy of Stellantis.
-A hybridization always as perfectible
Indeed, as in the (very) many other cars of the group that are equipped with it (Peugeot 308, Peugeot 2008, Peugeot 5008, Citroën C3 Aircross, Alfa Romeo Junior, Opel Astra, etc.), the 136 hp hybrid traction channel is perfectible in town on the Citroën C4. The power of the small electric motor (28 hp in peak) installed in the original triple clutch gearbox is too fair and you have to be soft with the accelerator so as not to shake the occupants of the car at low speed. Not to mention that the small battery of only 0.43 kWh does not allow you to drive more than a few hundred meters in full speed at low speed – The gain in consumption is however sensitive in town. The car appears much more pleasant on the road, where the good will of the 1.2 l turbo delivering 136 hp and 230 nm of torque allow you to revive in all serenity.
A Citroën at reasonable prices
Last asset of this restyled Citroën C4, not the least, competitive prices. The spacious Citroën family is displayed, in fact, from € 28,650 in a hybrid version 100. The PureTech 130 engine is billed from € 29,100 (with € 450 of adding), while The hybrid 136 starts at € 31,100 (without penalties) in the youth intermediate finish. Not bad when you see that a Peugeot 208 Hybrid 136 is displayed no less than € 32,250 in a basic style finish. We understand better why the Citroën C4 has made a place in the European market.
