Citroën ë-C4 (2021 – present) | Expert Rating [hide]
Summary
The Citroën e-C4 was launched in Spring 2021 as an electric version of the new C4 mid-size family hatchback – which has itself earned praise as a more distinctive and better-looking vehicle than its predecessor.
The ë-C4 gets its power from a 100kW (136hp) electric motor supplied by a 50kWh lithium-ion battery. That gives it an official range of 217 miles, which is likely to be closer to 160 miles in the real world.
It’s hard to pigeonhole the e-C4 as it’s something of a mix of styles – it has SUV-like styling, but a strongly sloping rear roof line gives it a coupé image as well. This would normally translate into cramped rear cabin space, but it’s surprisingly roomy inside.
Having been surprised by the space, reviewers agree that the ë-C4’s interior is one of Citroën’s best for some time, with particular praise for retaining traditional buttons alongside a touchscreen, unlike many new cars.
The ë-C4’s driving range is best described as adequate rather than outstanding, as it will cover most needs but can’t match some rivals like the Kia e-Niro or Volkswagen ID.3. However, its standard compatibility with 100kW rapid charging earns bonus points, cutting the time needed to charge at a public charging point before getting back on the road.
Adequate also describes the car’s acceleration and handling, though many reviewers also highlight its hushed and refined performance at motorway speeds.
The Citroën e-C4 currently holds an Expert Rating of 68%, based on 19 reviews, as of January 2022. As it’s still a very new car, this score could change as more reviews are carried out in coming months. The Citroën C4 range, including the e-C4, is yet to be tested by Euro NCAP.
In January 2022, Citroën announced a cheaper new entry-level specification that – unsurprisingly – keeps the ë-C4’s starting price under the government’s reduced threshold for the £1,500 plug-in car grant.
ë-C4 highlights
- Distinctive looks without sacrificing space
- Quality interior
- 100kW rapid charging capability
- Refined at speed
ë-C4 lowlights
- Modest real-world battery range
- Not as affordable as some rivals
- Performance is adequate rather than great
- Soft suspension leads to average handling
Key specifications
Body style: Five-door liftbackMotor: Single electric motor, battery-poweredPrice: From £28,495 on-road*
* price includes £1,500 Plug-In Car Grant
Launched: Winter 2020/21Last updated: Winter 2021/22
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: Score: 8 / 10“The e-C4 is an excellent first attempt at an all-electric family car from Citroen, with a genuinely usable range and solid recharging capability.”
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Autocar
Model reviewed: 50kWh ShineScore: 7 / 10“In terms of interestingness, the Citroën ë-C4 is probably halfway between the Nissan Leaf and Volkswagen ID.3 in terms of both looking at and sitting in it. And with a 50kWh battery, it should go further between charges than their base variants, but it’s not quite as nice to drive as either.”
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Business Car
Model reviewed: ShineScore: 8 / 10“The Citroen e-C4 is a lot of car for the money and if your commute is not too long and charger access is good, the company car tax benefits and driving experience are tangible differentiators.”
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Car
Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“The Citroën e-C4 is a likeable electric car that goes a long way to broadening choice for those wanting to make the plunge into an EV. It’s a distinctive-looking car that we love for its single-minded pursuit of maximising comfort.”
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Car Keys
Score: 8 / 10“Citroen has certainly brought some charm to the EV market with its e-C4 – offering an attractive price, long list of standard kit and promising electric range.”
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Carbuyer
Model reviewed: Score: 8 / 10“The Citroen e-C4 hatchback is a stylish electric car that’s safe, practical and comfortable.”
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Carwow
Model reviewed: Score: 7 / 10“If style and comfort sit high in your list of priorities for an electric car then the Citroen e-C4 should be strongly considered.”
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Company Car Today
“Stand-out styling and a reasonable range for the electric model help make the Citroen C4 an eye-catching return to this core fleet segment. “
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Daily Mail
Model reviewed: Shine“The C4 is a pleasant and certainly comfortable drive. The comfort factor goes doubly for the electric Citroen e-C4 version, which adds a peaceful silence and smooth running to the mix. It’s also a more engaging drive and – thanks to its frictionless acceleration – a fraction faster out of the blocks.”
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Electrifying.com
Model reviewed: Score: 8 / 10“There’s a lot to like about the Citroën e-C4. Comfortable, easy to live and nicely made, it does all the boring things very well. But where the e-C4 really stands out is its design and attention to detail. This feels like a car that a team of designers and engineers genuinely enjoyed putting together.”
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Eurekar
Model reviewed: Shine Plus“When it comes to performance, the Citroën e-C4 certainly lives up to the hype. It starts in absolute silence, and the pull-away power is instant and impressive. A Brake feature that increases the energy regenerated through braking means single-pedal driving is possible in stop/start city driving.”
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Fleetworld
Score: 8 / 10“The Citroen ë-C4 stands out with its impressive comfort and affordable prices.”
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Green Car Guide
Model reviewed: ShineScore: 8 / 10“The Citroen e-C4 delivers a comfortable driving experience, which is a very valuable selling point for a country with such poor quality urban road surfaces as the UK.”
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Honest John
Model reviewed: “The all-electric Citroën e-C4 can cover 217 miles on a single charge according to WLTP tests. It features a 136hp electric motor with 260Nm of torque and a 50kWh battery, which can support 100kW rapid charging. It has a 0-62mph time of 9.7sec and a top speed of 93mph.”
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Parkers
Model reviewed: Score: 8.2 / 10“All-electric family hatch is comfortable and stands out from the crowd.”
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The Sun
“The Citroen e-C4 is cheap to, comfy and super-smooth.”
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The Sunday Times
Model reviewed: ë-C4 Shine Plus and petrol C4 Shine Plus combined reviewScore: 6 / 10“The Citroën ë-C4 has far superior ride quality and performance to the petrol C4. It comes with a hefty price premium, which would take a chunk of time to recoup in fuel savings, but it’s still one of the more affordable pure-electric cars with a range of more than 200 miles per charge.”
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The Telegraph
Model reviewed: ShineScore: 8 / 10“While the Citroen C4 is a likeable, modern and well-rounded EV, we would still be looking to the 64kWh Kia e-Niro as the best family EV on the market right now.”
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What Car?
Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“If you fancy a stylish-looking coupé SUV and want the clean conscience and emissions of an electric car, then the Citroën e-C4 is a good option. A Volkswagen ID.3 is faster, handles better, and has a much longer battery range, though.”
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Safety rating
No safety rating
As of January 2022, the new Citroën ë-C4 has not been crash tested by Euro NCAP. Once the ë-C4 has been put through its paces by Euro NCAP, we will publish the results here.
As standard, the ë-C4 comes equipped with all the usual kit you’d expect to see in a new car, such as autonomous emergency braking and lane-keeping assist. However, to get the full list of safety features you need to add ‘Safety Pack Plus’ for an extra £1,100. This includes a more advanced emergency braking system, traffic sign recognition and other accident avoidance technology.
Eco rating
No eco rating
As of January 2022, the Citroën ë-C4 has not been lab tested by Green NCAP.
The Green NCAP programme measures exhaust pollution (which is zero for an electric car) and energy efficiency. Electric cars are much more energy-efficient than combustion cars, so the ë-C4 is likely to score very highly in Green NCAP testing whenever it ever takes place. Check back again soon.
Awards
Trophies, prizes and awards that the Citroën ë-C4 has received
2021
- DieselCar & EcoCar Top 50 – Best Electric Medium Car
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Citroën ë-C4, you might also be interested in these alternatives
Hyundai Ioniq Electric | Hyundai Kona Electric | Kia e-Niro | Kia EV6 | Mazda MX-30 | Mercedes-Benz A-Class plug-in hybrid | MG ZS EV | Nissan Leaf | Peugeot e-2008 | Polestar 2 | Tesla Model 3 | Vauxhall Mokka-e | Volkswagen ID.3 | Volvo C40
The Citroën ë-C4 is a bit difficult to pigeonhole compared to most cars. It rides a bit higher than a regular saloon/liftback like the Hyundai Ioniq, but not quite as high as an SUV/crossover vehicle like the Hyundai Kona. As such, it has plenty of rivals that sit (literally) above and below it.
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Keyword: Citroën ë-C4