The elevated ride height further distances the DS4 from the C4
The front cabin is one of the DS4’s best qualities
The middle child of Citroën’s DS range eschews categorisation, which is also its undoing
Road Tests BlogBy: CAR magazine
This is our first test of the entry-level DS4 after the flagship diesel model failed to garner much interest among the CAR team. Boasting most of the luxuries of that model, the VTi 120 is more palatably priced and should find more widespread appeal.
The hatchback/coupé/crossover/we-don’t-quite-know DS4 falls between the DS3 and DS5 size- and pricewise and is based on the C4 hatch back’s platform but looks very different to the mainstream hatchback (except for the front, which perhaps is too C4-derived). Notable design changes are the narrow rear doors that make it obvious why Citroën refers to the DS4 as a “two-plus-twodoor coupé”. The openings that allow access to the rear seats are tight.
The rounded rear-end features a shallow window, while the (optional at R4 990) 17-inch wheels don’t quite fill the arches. Being a two-plus-two, adults would not be as comfortable on the restricted rear bench as in, for instance, an Audi A3 Sportback; both knee- and headroom are at a premium. Should you wish to open one of the rear windows, you might wonder why you can’t find the up/down button … the windows are fixed. The reason for this practical flaw is because the glass is too wide and can’t be lowered into the door.
Redemption comes when you climb into the driver’s seat; here, the DS4’s better qualities surface. The supremely comfortable seats aid the perception of quality, while delightful design details such as the duplication of the bonnet’s indents on the instrument cowl differentiate it further from the C4. The buttons (16 in total) on the steering wheel are mostly straightforward to operate.
It soon becomes evident why the high button count is necessary; this DS4 has an extensive standard-specification list. You can change shades of the background and instrumentation lighting; and there are different sounds for every warning and command.
Like the cabin design is undermined by its limited practicality, so too are the driving characteristics a hit-and-miss affair.
The 1,6-litre engine, which has been around for years in various Mini and PSA products, is smooth but performance is lacklustre. It took a timeous 13,24 seconds to reach 100 km/h and 13,42 seconds in fourth gear from 80 to 120 km/h.
As mentioned, aside from a shift in design, Citroën’s aim with the DS models has been to create fun-todrive, dynamically rewarding cars. And, to an extent, the French manufacturer has succeeded with the DS4. Body control is good and the revised steering is well weighted. But…
The ride is too stiff. If the DS4 offered an exceptional dynamic driving experience, you could have pardoned the poor ride quality, but it doesn’t, so you can’t.
TEST SUMMARY
The DS4 is difficult to pinpoint. It has its place in the Citroën stable because it adds much-needed pizzazz to the C4 range, but the fact remains that it’s no more than an acquired taste. From the ridiculous fixed rear windows to the choppy ride, the DS4 is simply too flawed.
Keyword: Citroën DS4 VTi 120 Design