2022 Citroen C4

New models coming from Citroen seemed to have slowed down in recent times, so it’s nice to see the 2022 Citroen C4 rolling out in Australia.  New C4 versions in Europe are available in petrol, diesel, and fully electric form but it will be just the petrol at the moment for us Ozzies.  You’ll see that the new C4 design is typically cut in a unique Citroen styling and is just one of the likable things about the latest family-sized hatch/SUV from Citroen.

Sacrificing a bit of handling for comfort isn’t always bad, particularly if you’re into travelling at speeds inside the legal road limits and into enjoying the daily drive or commute settling back in comfort.  As far as the latest Citroen C4 goes – well, it goes really well and rides superbly – comfort being at the forefront of its experience.

At present in Australia the C4 comes out with the sweet top of the range 1.2 Turbo petrol Puretech 3-cylinder engine.  Remarkably, this little motor churns out 114 kW of power at 5500 rpm, and it can pull as much as 240 Nm from 1750 rpm.  This is the most powerful petrol motor Citroen offers for the new C4, so it’s pretty decent in all respects.  Linked to an 8-speed Efficient Automatic Transmission (EAT), the combination of power, fuel economy, and purchase price is fantastic.

Whether we’ll see the all-electric e-C4 version this year remains to be seen.  I guess that, although it doesn’t offer a massive electric range, it will suit many people’s normal journeys commuting around the city/town environment. The 2022 electric Citroen e-C4 puts out a reasonable 100 kW from its front-mounted electric motor, enough for a fairly sprightly 0-100 km/h time of 9 seconds. It’s clearly no Tesla, but as with all EVs the acceleration from any speed means it seldom feels underpowered.

Ride quality and seat comfort is exceptionally good.  The 2022 Citroen C4 has a ‘progressive hydraulic cushion’ suspension, a product specially designed by Citroen engineers.  It sets up the C4 for a really soft, compliant, carpet-like ride while cleverly preventing the car from wallowing or feeling too bouncy.  Take the new Citroen C4 over the rougher streets of town and it cushions most of the typical potholes, speed bumps you incur.  Out on the open road the car has plenty of power to run with the pack and it rides nice and serenely.  It feels solid, even with the noticeable roll through faster corners.  The engine note sounds nice and throaty when you put your foot down to accelerate, so all in all a likable car, once you understand that it isn’t built for hoons.

How about practicality?

2022 Citroen C4

Boot space is handy without being outstanding.  There are even smaller hatchbacks with more boot space than the C4.  However, you can pack a fair bit of stuff behind the back seats underneath the parcel shelf.  380 litres with the rear seats in place and 1250 litres with the rear seats folded flat is what you get to play with.  The back seats are also split folding.  You’ll also find some handy underfloor boot storage, which can even be adjusted.  The seats split-fold pretty easily thanks to levers within the luggage space, by the boot lid.  Once the rear seats are fully folded down, you do get a largely flat floor all the way through to the front seats.

Interior space is really good for those in the front seats.  Despite the steeply raked windscreen making the dashboard feel quite close to the driver and front passenger, there’s plenty of room for tall timber to get comfortable in either of the front seats.  In the back seats, you’ll find two adults with long legs won’t struggle for knee or foot space, even three.  The only quibble I’d have is with the headroom for taller folk back there because the coupe-like sloping roofline can make it a bit tighter height.  There is handy storage throughout the cabin, and a couple of cupholders beside a flip-up armrest at the front.  All the door bins can take bottles as well.  In the back you’ll find cupholders in the centre armrest, too.

How about equipment?

2022 Citroen C4

I love the new Citroen C4’s interior.  It is a well put-together cabin and an attractive place to be.  You’ll find a wireless smartphone charging pad in the centre of the dash with 2 USB-C connectors for any further travelling devices you might have with you.  All the infotainment apps are there, and I like the fact that Citroen has once again started offering decent physical knobs and buttons for the climate control system.  High-end features like the smart 10-inch touchscreen, a head-up display, satellite navigation, a reversing camera, LED headlights, 18-inch alloys and even an auto-dimming main mirror a part of the new C4 Shine kit. You’ll also enjoy Bluetooth telephone, a clear and attractive digital driver’s display, and audio streaming.

The Citroen C4 boasts premium safety features, just as I expected it would.  Remembering that Euro NCAP testers tighten their criteria every year, they gave the new Citroën C4 a solid 4-star safety rating (out of 5 stars).  Features like manual child locks in the second row, curtain and thorax airbags, front airbags, tyre underinflation detection, a post collision safety brake, an electric parking brake, hill start assist, electronic stability, front seatbelt pretensioners, and ABS are some of the features as standard.

So, all in all the 2022 Citroen C4 is a nice car with distinctive looks, solid safety, offers good value for money, and it’s a smooth ride and economical too.

2022 Citroen C4

The 2022 Citroën C4 models include the:

• Citroën C4 Shine

For any more information on the new Citroen C4 or, for that matter, any other new car, contact one of our friendly consultants on 1300 303 181.  If you’d like some fleet discount pricing (yes even for private buyers!), we can submit vehicle quote requests out to our national network of Citroën dealers and come back with pricing within 24 hours.  Private Fleet – car buying made easy!