Citroën C4 Cactus (2014 – 2021) | Expert Rating [hide]
Summary
The Citroën C4 Cactus was a medium-sized hatchback that sat somewhere between conventional family hatchbacks (like the Ford Focus or Volkswagen Golf) and similarly-sized SUV/crossover models (like the Nissan Qashqai or Ford Kuga).
The C4 Cactus arrived in the UK in the middle of 2014, and was widely praised for its unconventional design and focus on comfort ahead of performance. It received many awards here in the UK and abroad, but in 2018 it was restyled to look more conventional with styling that was more in line with the rest of the Citroën family.
After its mid-life update, the Citroën C4 Cactus wasn’t rated as highly by the UK motoring media, many of whom lamented the shift away from the original car’s distinctiveness to a more mainstream budget offering. The updated model was praised for its comfort and added safety protection over the earlier model, but was criticised for average performance and uninvolving driving dynamics.
The C4 Cactus is unrelated to the all-new Citroën C4 that was launched in early 2021. Although Citroën says that the new C4 is not a direct replacement for the C4 Cactus, it is unlikely that the Cactus will be replaced.
Key specifications
Body style: Five-door hatchEngines: petrol, diesel
Price: From £18,820 on-road
Launched: Summer 2014Last updated: Spring 2018
Replacement due: N/A
Image gallery
Citroën C4 Cactus (2018 facelift)
Citroën C4 Cactus (pre-facelift)
Citroën C4 Cactus (2018 facelift)
Citroën C4 Cactus (pre-facelift)
Citroën C4 Cactus (2018 facelift)
Citroën C4 Cactus (pre-facelift)
Media reviews
Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
The Car Expert
Score: 7.8 / 10“The Citroën C4 Cactus remains a car that will appeal to those who need a family hatch but who don’t want a family hatch like everyone else’s.”
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Auto Express
Model reviewed: (range review)Score: 8 / 10“The Citroën C4 Cactus is still a stand-out design that’s comfortable and efficient, but a recent facelift repositioned it as a budget hatchback.”
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Auto Trader
Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 6 / 10“The main appeal of the Citroën C4 Cactus lies in its individuality, with styling that’s distinctly different to anything else. It’s not the best car of its sort to drive, but it is reasonably practical, well equipped and comes with some really good petrol engines that are punchy, smooth and economical.”
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Autocar
Model reviewed: (range review)Score: 6 / 10“Citroen has achieved its goal: to make the updated C4 Cactus more comfortable than its predecessor with better suspension and better seats. It’s ultimately a flawed thing, surpassed in nearly every dimension by one rival or another, but it’s also one of the most characterful cars on the market.”
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Car
Model reviewed: 1.2-litre petrol automaticScore: 8 / 10“If you’re looking for an idiosyncratic hatchback that allows you to stand out from the crowd, then step this way and don’t look back. If you’re buying rationally, and with your head, then this car is probably not for you. As we said, it’s a proper Citroen.”
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Carbuyer
Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 7.8 / 10“The Citroën C4 Cactus is an individual, practical and affordable family car with some well thought-out features like clever suspension to soak up bumps.”
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Carwow
Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 6 / 10“The Citroën C4 Cactus is very comfortable and has a stylish interior, but you may miss the wackier looks of the old model.”
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Heycar
Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 6 / 10“The Citroën C4 Cactus is an unconventional family hatchback that has a lot of character and style, but not enough substance to make it a proper all-rounder. The iffy cabin quality, coupled with overly soft suspension and so-so driving dynamics, make it hard to recommend.”
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Honest John
Model reviewed: (range review)Score: 8 / 10“With prices starting at around £13,000 the Citroën C4 Cactus represents a lot of car for the money. It’s the ideal family car and we have no doubt it will find plenty of fans.”
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Model reviewed: (range review)“The Citroën C4 Cactus is still an appealing alternative to the mainstream and its positive elements will entice many buyers in, but its flaws will put as many people off. While it is smarter looking, it doesn’t offer as much in the way of charm as it did, which is a real shame.”
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Parkers
Model reviewed: Range reviewScore: 7.8 / 10“Comfortable and easy to live with, but too flawed for most drivers”
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The Sun
Model reviewed: 1.2-litre petrol manual Feel“Citroen has done a good job in making the C4 Cactus stand out in a fast-moving but increasingly samey segment, and it’s not difficult to like.”
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The Telegraph
Model reviewed: 1.2-litre petrol manual 110 FlairScore: 6 / 10“It seems slightly unfair of Citroen to give the C4 Cactus the role of C-segment contender, because it’s simply not big or clever enough to ever take on the best in that class. Viewed as the oddity that it is, however, this lightweight, smooth-riding and quirky-looking car holds some appeal. Just make sure you get a few thousand knocked off the price.”
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Top Gear
Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 6 / 10“By trying to make the C4 Cactus less niche in its appeal, Citroën has inadvertently made its place in the market harder to fathom. It’s a decent car, but it’s less affordable than before, and tasked with taking on tougher rivals. Against which it’s no longer a class hero.”
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What Car?
Model reviewed: (range review)Score: 6 / 10“A good choice if you want SUV styling and low running costs.”
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Which?
Model reviewed: Range overview“One for comfort lovers.”
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Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Overall rating: 4 stars
Date tested: October 2014
82%
ADULT OCCUPANT
79%
CHILD OCCUPANT
80%
VULNERABLE ROAD USERS
56%
SAFETY ASSIST
Read full Euro NCAP review
Eco rating
No eco rating
The Citroën C4 Cactus was not lab tested by Green NCAP. This is a new initiative, launched in 2018 as a sister organisation to Euro NCAP. As yet, very few new cars have been tested for environmental impact by Green NCAP.
Awards
Trophies, prizes and awards that the Citroën C4 Cactus has received
2019
- Diesel Car & Eco Car Used Top 50 – Best Used Medium Car
2018
- Carwow Awards – Comfort Award
2017
- Auto Express Awards – Small SUV of the Year
2016
- Honest John Awards – Most Popular Small Family Car
- DieselCar Awards – Best Compact Crossover
2015
- World Car Awards – World Car Design of the Year
- UK Car of the Year Awards – Small Hatchback of the Year
- Carbuyer Car of the Year Awards – Car of the Year + Best Economical Car
- Motor Trader Awards – New Car of the Year
- Fleet News Awards – Best Compact SUV
- DieselCar Car of the Year Awards – Car of the Year
- Tow Car Awards – Winner, Ultralight Tow Car category
- Car Design News – Production Car of the Year
- International Automobile Festival – Most Beautiful Interior
2014
- Top Gear Magazine Awards – Hatchback of the Year
- Next Green Car Awards – Best Crossover
- APMP Awards – Small SUV of the Year
- Fleet World Honours – Design of the Year
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Citroën C4 Cactus, you might also be interested in these alternatives
Alfa Romeo Giulietta | Citroën C4 | Fiat Tipo | Ford Focus | Honda Civic | Hyundai i30 | Kia Ceed | Mazda 3 | Mazda CX-30 | Mini Countryman | Peugeot 308 | Renault Megane | SEAT Leon | Skoda Scala | Skoda Octavia | Toyota Corolla | Vauxhall Astra | Volkswagen Golf
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Keyword: Citroën C4 Cactus (2014 – 2021)