Citroën C4 - TopCarNews

Citroën C4 (2020 – present) | Expert Rating [hide]

Summary

The Citroën C4 is a medium-sized family car, which was unveiled in late 2020 and arrived in the UK in early 2021. It’s similar in size to a Volkswagen Golf or Ford Focus, although it’s more a liftback than a regular hatchback, and rides a bit higher like an SUV/crossover. So it’s certainly a bit different to its competitors.

Unusually, the C4 is available with a choice of petrol, diesel or electric power. This page only covers the conventional fossil-fuel models, and we have a separate page for the electric ë-C4 version.

The initial reviews for the new Citroën C4 have been generally positive, although not quite as strong as for the leading rivals in its class. Being a brand new model – which was launched during a global pandemic – it will be be a while before we see a complete set of full UK reviews for the new C4 range. As such, its Expert Rating may shift up or down by a few points in coming months.

As of October 2021, the C4’s Expert Rating sits at 65% based on 19 reviews, which is several below the class leaders. Its electric sibling, the ë-C4, currently sits three points higher. The C4 range has been praised for its comfort and distinctive design, which is notably different from anything else in the mid-size family car sector

Key specifications

Body style: Five-door liftbackEngines: petrol, diesel
Price: From £18,820 on-road

Launched: Winter 2020/21Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA

Image gallery

Media reviews

Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Auto Express

Model reviewed: 1.2-litre petrol automatic 130hp Shine PlusScore: 7 / 10“Our rating reflects the fact that the higher-end, automatic car we’ve driven here isn’t likely to be the sweet spot in the new Citroën C4 range; for that, you’d save the cash and stick to a manual gearbox, or choose the electric version as a company car and revel in the tax breaks.”
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Auto Trader

Model reviewed: HatchbackScore: 7 / 10“With new trim options, and Citroën’s continued focus on comfort, the new C4 is a big improvement over its predecessor.”
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Autocar

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 6 / 10“Citroën’s third-generation modern C4 is a car in which the sensible is blended with the unusual in several intriguing ways. Although it’s not a particularly practical mid-sized hatchback in outright terms, it is quite well priced and well equipped and has some useful features that promise to make it agreeable to live with.”
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Model reviewed: 1.2-litre petrol automatic 130hp Shine PlusScore: 5 / 10“The Citroën C4 is an interesting-looking car with a relatively appealing interior. But it’s a good deal worse to drive than the ë-C4 electric version. It has the worst ride-and-handling combination I’ve experienced this year.”
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Business Car

Model reviewed: 1.2-litre petrol automatic Shine PlusScore: 7 / 10“In summary, the new Citroen C4 is a good replacement for the old C4 and Cactus. For those who need to travel reasonably long distances on a regular basis – but still frequent towns and cities – the petrol C4 range is a compelling choice.”
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Car

Model reviewed: 1.2-litre petrol automaticScore: 8 / 10“The new Citroën C4 is as supple as a Pilates teacher, refreshingly putting comfort above all else. It’s nicely equipped and competitively priced.”
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Car Keys

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“To those that criticise cars for being too similar these days, the Citroen C4 exists to prove this is definitely not the case. It really is a breath of fresh air in the crossover and hatchback segments, with its bold design, pleasing interior and impressive levels of comfort.”
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Carbuyer

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8.2 / 10“The Citroen C4 is a comfortable family hatchback with modern, fashionable styling.”
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Carwow

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 7 / 10“The new Citroen C4 is part hatchback, part crossover, and offers funky styling, loads of kit and a comfortable drive.”
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Company Car Today

Model reviewed: 1.2-litre petrol manual ShineScore: 8 / 10“A striking and distinctive new take on the regular lower medium hatchback, the Citroën C4 is comfortable and practical, as well as offering a good range of powertrains.”
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Daily Mail

Model reviewed: 1.2-litre petrol automatic Shine Plus“The new Citroen C4 certainly looks the part and should give the rival VW Golf and Ford Focus a run for their money.”
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Daily Mirror

Model reviewed: 1.2-litre petrol automatic Shine PlusScore: 10 / 10“The new Citroen C4 ticks a lot of boxes and looks refreshingly different. It works particularly well as an electric car but is still a great choice in petrol. And diesel offers a possible 70mpg. Whatever the powertrain, the new C4 marks another step forward for Citroen.”
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Eurekar

“The new Citroen C4 is a very smooth operator.”
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Fleetworld

Score: 8 / 10“Nothing like as conventional as rivals such as Ford’s Focus and Vauxhall’s Astra. However, if you value comfort then the C4 is definitely worthy of keen consideration.”
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Honest John

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“If you’re looking for a car that’ll turn heads in the Tesco car park, the Citroen C4 is a much better choice than more conventional alternatives. It’s not much of a compromise, either, with a decent cabin and frugal petrol and diesel engines.”
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Parkers

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8.2 / 10“Distinctive hatchback majors on comfort.”
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The Sunday Times

Model reviewed: Petrol C4 and electric ë-C4 combined reviewScore: 6 / 10“The petrol Citroën C4 is a little floaty over bumpier roads, and our test car revealed vibrations on some country lanes that become really quite unpleasant, to the extent that it felt like there was a flat spot on a tyre. The ë-C4 on the other hand, had no such issues.”
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Top Gear

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 7 / 10“Citroen C4 hatch isn’t like all the rest and plays big on comfort. Plus, it’s not a crossover.”
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What Car?

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“The Citroën C4 is very temptingly priced for a coupé SUV, while comfort and refinement also impress. You do pay for its cushiness with roly-poly handling, though, and there are more practical options.”
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Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

No safety rating

As of March 2021, the new Citroën C4 has not been crash tested by Euro NCAP. Testing was halted during the first half 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, and has been gradually resuming since Autumn 2020. Once the C4 has been put through its paces by Euro NCAP, we will publish the results here.

Eco rating

No eco rating

The Citroën C4 has not yet been 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, and inevitably the testing programme was halted in early 2020 by the coronavirus pandemic. If and when the new C4 is assessed by Green NCAP, we’ll have the results here.

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