The Citroën brand has a rich history starting with its founding in 1919 by André-Gustave Citroën. Citroën was known for its innovative engineering and avant-garde styling in early models like the Traction Avant and DS. https://www.evanshalshaw.com/news/100-years-of-citroen/
The Citroën C4 was first introduced in 2004 as a compact car to replace the Citroën Xsara. There have been three generations of the C4 so far, with the current third generation model debuting in 2021. Over its lifetime, the C4 has been available as a hatchback, coupe, and crossover SUV. It competes against other compact cars like the Volkswagen Golf, Ford Focus and Toyota Corolla.
This article will provide an overview of the different Citroën C4 models and generations, including details on performance, specifications, pricing, and more.
First Generation (2004-2010)
The first generation Citroën C4 was introduced in 2004 and produced until 2010. It was available as a 3-door hatchback, 4-door sedan, and 5-door MPV. The C4 offered a range of petrol and diesel engine options:
- 1.4L VTi 95 hp
- 1.6L VTi 120 hp
- 2.0L i 16v 138 hp
- 1.6L HDi 110 hp diesel
- 2.0L HDi 138 hp diesel
Trim levels included X, LX, SX, VTR, and Exclusive. Key features of the first gen C4 included:
– Curvy, flowing body design with Coupe-like roofline
– Hydractive 3 suspension system with electronic damping control (on higher trim levels)
– Xenon headlights and front fog lights (on VTR and Exclusive)
– Driver-oriented interior with aircraft-style handbrake
– Available panoramic sunroof
– Advanced safety systems like ESP, ABS, and up to 8 airbags
[Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Citroen_C4_(first_generation)_(rear),_Serdang.jpg]Second Generation (2010-2018)
The second generation Citroën C4 was introduced in 2010 and represented a complete redesign of the model. Available as a 5-door hatchback and station wagon, the second generation C4 featured more angular body styling compared to the rounded look of the original model.
Engine options included gas and diesel choices ranging from 95 to 155 horsepower. Gas engines included the 1.4L VTi and 1.6L VTi, while diesel options included the 1.6L HDi and 2.0L HDi. Trim levels included VT, VTR+, Exclusive, and Hybride for the hybrid model.
Key features of the second generation C4 included:
- Revised suspension system for improved handling
- Touchscreen display with Citroën interface
- Advanced traction control system
- Lane departure warning system (from 2013)
- Hybrid version with NiMH battery pack (from 2011)
According to H&R PCD Adapters To Fit: Citroen C4 Second Generation, the second generation model provided more interior space compared to the first generation. The redesigned C4 continued Citroën’s focus on comfort and convenience in the compact class.
Current Generation (2018-Present)
The current generation Citroen C4 was introduced in 2020. It is available as a 5-door fastback or 5-door wagon. Key body styles and features include:
- Sleek, aerodynamic exterior design with a sloping rear roofline
- Spacious, high-tech interior with a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Advanced driver assistance systems like highway driving assist and active safety brake
Engine options consist of efficient 3-cylinder gasoline and diesel units:
- 1.2L PureTech 130 turbocharged gasoline with 6-speed manual or 8-speed auto transmission
- 1.5L BlueHDi diesel with 6-speed manual or 8-speed auto transmission
Trim levels offered are Feel, Feel Pack, Shine, and Shine Pack. Upper trims add features like panoramic sunroof, heated front seats, and parking assist. The new C4 showcases Citroen’s focus on comfort and technology. Its supple suspension soaks up bumps in the road, while the cabin provides a relaxed atmosphere with plush seats and sound deadening materials.
Performance & Handling
The Citroen C4 offers responsive handling and a comfortable ride. According to Top Gear (https://www.topgear.com/car-reviews/citroen/c4/driving), the C4 has a supple suspension that smoothes out bumps, but still remains composed in corners. Steering is light and accurate, making the C4 easy to maneuver.
Braking performance is strong thanks to front ventilated disc and rear disc brakes. Anti-lock brakes and electronic brake force distribution are standard across the range. Acceleration is peppy with the turbocharged gasoline engines. The top-spec 155 hp unit can propel the C4 from 0-60 mph in 8.2 seconds. Top speed for most models is around 130 mph.
Citroen offers a choice of 3-cylinder PureTech gas engines and BlueHDi diesels for the C4. According to AutoEvolution (https://www.autoevolution.com/cars/citroen-c4-2020.html), horsepower ranges from 100-155 hp. Performance and economy are both strong, resulting in a well-rounded package.
Safety Features
The Citroën C4 demonstrates a solid performance in safety crash testing. In Euro NCAP testing, the C4 received a 5-star rating, with high scores of 85% for adult occupant protection and 86% for child occupant protection (Euro NCAP, 2021). Reviews praise the C4’s standard safety features including six airbags, lane keeping assist, autonomous emergency braking, and speed limit recognition (Drive, 2022).
Some standout active safety technologies in the C4 include driver attention alert to detect drowsiness, intelligent beam headlights that automatically switch between high and low beam, and active safety brake that detects pedestrians and cyclists. Buyers can also opt for extras like a 360-degree parking camera system, blind spot monitoring, and highway driver assist, which centers the vehicle in its lane and automatically adjusts speed based on traffic.
Fuel Economy
The Citroen C4 offers decent fuel economy, especially for the diesel engines. The 1.6L diesel engine has been tested to achieve between 56-65 mpg on average (source). The 2.0L diesel gets slightly lower mpg at around 50-60 mpg. The petrol engines achieve lower fuel economy with the 1.2L petrol getting 40-50 mpg and the 1.6L petrol achieving 35-45 mpg (source).
In eco mode, the C4 can achieve slightly better fuel economy by optimizing performance for efficiency. The greenhouse gas rating for the C4 is average for the segment with the diesel models rating higher with 124-129 g/km CO2 and the petrol around 159-164 g/km CO2 (source). Overall, the C4 offers competitive fuel economy especially for diesel models, but petrol versions lag behind some rivals.
Pricing & Availability
The Citroen C4 is currently available in many markets around the world, including Europe, Australia, and select countries in Asia and South America. In Europe, pricing starts around £20,000 for lower trim models, ranging up to £28,000 for higher performance trims like the C4 VTi.
In Australia, the C4 is priced between AUD $39,990 – $43,490 for the 2024 model year range. Available trim levels include Feel, Feel Pack, Shine, and Shine Pack (CarsGuide). Deals and incentives are sometimes offered directly from Citroen dealerships, including cashback offers up to $2,000 off or low interest financing around 4.99% APR.
In the United States, the C4 was last sold from 2005-2012. It has not been available in the US market since then. At this time, there are no plans announced to bring the C4 back to the US. Used models can sometimes be found through private importers or specialty dealers.
Accolades
The Citroën C4 has won several prestigious automotive awards since its launch, highlighting its blend of style, comfort, practicality and value.
In 2021, the Citroën C4 was named Best Coupé SUV for Value at the Car of the Year Awards. Judges praised its striking design and premium features at an affordable price point compared to rival premium brand coupe SUVs.
Most recently in 2023, the electric Citroën ë-C4 won the Auto Express Driver Power Award, voted for by thousands of UK drivers. This award recognized the ë-C4’s mix of range, performance, comfort and safety as highlighted by owner reviews.
Future Outlook
The next generation Citroen C4 is expected to build upon the success of the current model with a focus on efficiency, technology, and comfort. Citroen has hinted that the future C4 will move more upmarket while retaining Citroen’s reputation for comfort and distinctive styling.
At the 2018 Paris Motor Show, Citroen revealed the CXPERIENCE concept which previewed the styling direction and technologies for future Citroen models including the C4. The concept featured smooth, flowing bodywork and a minimalist modern interior. It also introduced Citroen’s new Advanced Comfort active suspension system which uses onboard cameras to scan the road and prepare the suspension for upcoming bumps or potholes. This technology could make its way to future C4 models.
Citroen is also investing heavily in electrification. The brand has committed to offering an electrified version of every model by 2025. So we can expect next-gen C4 models to be offered with plug-in hybrid or fully electric powertrains for improved efficiency and lower emissions.
While details on the next C4 are still sparse, the CXPERIENCE concept provides hints at the sleek styling, comfort technologies and electrified powertrains that are likely to define the C4 models of the future as Citroen continues evolving its popular compact model range.
