The updated version of Citroen's third generation C4 remains a credible but properly distinctive family hatch. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Ten Second Review

This improved version of the third generation C4 is a far more creditable offering for Citroen in the family hatchback sector. The looks are sharper, the cabin's smarter and the mild hybrid and EV drivetrains are well up to date. As before though, the really brand-specific bit is the clever suspension system which makes this contender feel really Citroen-esque.

Background

Back in 2020, the third generation C4 was launched as being 'Citroen to the core'. Well four years into production, the brand hopes that this extensive mid-term update will continue to set it apart in the combustion and EV parts of the family hatchback segment. 2022 saw the introduction of a C4 X saloon variant - which continues, but mild hybrid tech takes over from most of the conventional PureTech petrol engines at the foot of the range. Significant styling and interior updates feature with this improved design, bringing the C4 more into line with its segment rivals. And as before, this C4 plays to the things people tend to like about Citroen - innovative design, a distinctive feel and exemplary ride quality.

Driving Experience

As part of this update, Citroen has dispensed with most of the pre-facelift model's un-electrified PureTech engines, so now if you want an affordable combustion-powered C4, your main choice is to opt for the brand's 48V mild hybrid tech. This was available before in Hybrid 136hp form, a variant now also joined by a more affordable Hybrid 100hp model. In both cases, the brand's familiar 1.2-litre three cylinder petrol unit is supported by a 28hp 48-volt electric motor energised by a tiny 0.4kWh battery pack. If you really don't want the hybrid-ised petrol unit, the brand will still sell you the old PureTech 130 engine mated to EAT8 auto transmission. The full-EV e-C4 options haven't changed, so as before you choose between 50kWh/136hp base version (with a 219 mile range) or a 54kWh/154hp model (with 257 miles). To boost this capability, the car can recover energy when decelerating or braking. And there are three drive modes - 'Eco', 'Normal' and 'Sport' - that can vary the level of engine power and the energy draw from the air conditioning to boost driving range. Citroen hopes that the way this car drives is what will sell it to you - or more specifically, the way this car rides. As before, it features a clever Progressive Hydraulic suspension set-up. Here, the car's springs and shock absorbers work in concert with hydraulic compression and rebound stops, which are supposed to slow body movement over bumps and tarmac tears.

Design and Build

The visual changes to both hatch and C4X saloon versions of this model go beyond the scope of the usual facelift, drawing upon the brand's Oli concept car from 2022, with squared-off lighting signatures and the brand's latest logo. The slim LED front headlamps feature a characteristic light signature divided into three distinctive horizontal segments. There are rear tail light updates too, as part of changes to improve aerodynamic efficiency. Plusher versions get smart new 18-inch 'Amber' wheels, whilst the 'Colour Clips' that run horizontally across the rear of the car aim to add personalisation. The changes are even greater inside, where there's a bigger 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster (1.5-inches larger than before). The 10.0-inch central screen's the same size as before, but has been updated with a new connected 3D navigation system and a better 'Hello Citroen'-activated voice control set-up. A major selling point of the pre-facelift car was its cossetting 'Advanced Comfort' seats; well they've been improved with an extra 15mm of foam and a new denser section of padding in the centre of the squab. For the EV versions, there's also now a 'V2L' 'Vehicle-to-Load' system, which enables you to plug external devices (like laptop, lights, coffee makers, drones and so on) into the vehicle battery. Further back of course, it's just as before. For the rear seat, the brand continues to claim best-in-class knee room and offers a wide range of storage compartments. Plus there's a decently-sized 380-litre boot in the hatch version; the C4 X saloon's boot is a big 510-litres in size.

Market and Model

Right, let's get to prices, which as before are the same whether you choose hatch or C4 X saloon and start from around £22,000. The full-electric e-C4 and e-C4 X models start from around £26,000. The core trim levels are 'Plus' and 'Max'; the hatch additionally has a cheaper entry-level 'You' level of spec. To take on key compact similarly-sized EV rivals in the same price bracket, all versions of this C4 need to be well equipped. They are. Nice touches the include LED ambient lighting on the new 7-inch digital instrument panel. Front passengers benefit from access to Citroën's Smart Pad Support, a retractable tablet holder built directly into the dashboard, which enables the front passenger to make the most of time spent on the move. Below this is a Dashboard Tray, a large sliding drawer with a cushioned action. A popular option will be the large electric opening panoramic sunroof. A 10-inch central infotainment screen comes with all C4s, as does wireless 'phone charging and 'Apple CarPlay' and 'Android Auto' smartphone-mirroring connectivity. A superb sound system can be specified too, with Arkamys digital sound processing and 8 speakers. A nice optional touch you might well want to consider is a full-HD camera built into the rear view mirror which can take photos or video stored on a 16GB memory card. Safety-wise, there's no fewer than 20 different driver assistance features, including Highway Driving Assist and a 'level 2' semi-autonomous drive system incorporating Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Keeping Assist.

Cost of Ownership

So, petrol or electric? Of course, to make a proper judgement, you're going to need to peruse the combustion model efficiency figures - which are very class-competitive. The Hybrid 136 DCS6 petrol/electric version manages up to 62.1mpg (similar to the old 1.5 diesel) and up to 107g/km (much better than that old diesel). Citroen reckon that in urban driving, you'd be battery-powered around 50% of the time. And the full-electric variants? Well, the Department of Transport tells us that the average motorist in the UK covers 7,400 miles a year, which is the kind of mileage that would cost an e-C4 owner somewhere between £200 and £300 in added electricity charges, powering up from a typical 7.4kW garage wallbox on off peak rates, the variance depending on driving style and different electricity prices (we've assumed 11p per kWh). The e-C4 charges at up to 100kW with the 50kWh battery - or at up to 115kW with the 54kWh battery. But charging times are much the same either way. The e-C4 is fitted with a 7.4kW on-board charger, which can rapid charge to 80% in around half an hour using a 100kW public fast charger. At home, the car will charge from empty in around 7.5 hours using a 7kW garage wallbox. That could fall to just 5 hours if you have a 3-phase home electricity supply and have the car fitted with an optional 11kW on-board charger. As usual with an electric car, to take advantage of lower cost off-peak electricity tariffs, you can manage charging times by using the touchscreen tablet in the passenger compartment or by using the provided 'MyCitroen' app. The charging port features a coloured indicator so the user can monitor the charging process - which can also be followed on the 'MyCitroen' app. Whatever your choice of C4, you'll properly want to keep garage costs in check by opting for the affordable 3 year servicing plan that is available at point of purchase. Finally, there's the usual Citroen three year / 60,000 mile warranty. And the e-C4 has its own battery warranty - 8 years or 100,000 miles for 70% of charge capacity.

Summary

As before, this third generation C4 nods to the two currently trending themes of crossover style and electrified power. Yet now delivers them within a family hatchback package that traditional buyers in this segment can be more comfortable with - quite literally, thanks to the Progressive Hydraulic Suspension set-up and the improvements made to the Advanced Comfort front seats. The French maker thinks this sector is 'right for changes' and this car delivers them without getting carried away with innovation. We can't help thinking that right here, right now, the Hybrid version might make more sense than the full-EV variant. Whatever your choice though, ultimately what really matters is that what we have here is a proper Citroen - with all that means. Thank goodness for that.