'Alive with technology' is what the advertisements say and looking out from the Citroen C4's driving seat across the substantial dash with its clustered buttons and assorted digital displays, there certainly is that impression. This is not the place for people easily daunted by the modern world's massed gadgetry because the C4 delights in its own tech-heavy approach. Underneath though, it's still just a car.

At this stage, we're well over the initial hurdle that most C4 owners are confronted by, that of getting to grips with the car's novel but innovative technology. Our test vehicle came with extra capacity to intimidate technophobes courtesy of its EGS automatic gearbox but, as is true of most of the C4's systems, if you give it a go, you quickly get the hang of it.

The EGS or Electronic Gearbox System is quite a piece of work on Citroen's part. It dispenses with the services of a clutch but still offers the driver the choice of changing the gears manually by prodding the gearstick back and forth or flicking the steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters. There's a fully-automatic mode too. All of the major family hatch manufacturers offer self shifting gearboxes with these capabilities but Citroen's is notable for both its slickness and simplicity. The neutral, auto and reverse modes are selected with the lightest of touches fore and aft on the stick, then you just knock it across into the manual shift mode when you feel like taking more control. It really is idiot proof.

The gearchanges themselves are executed swiftly and without undue drama in a manner that isn't bettered this side of the Volkswagen Group's twin-clutch 'box. Even at full throttle, the EGS manages to snap up from second to third without the lurch that characterises many of the market's cheaper self-shifting options. There's a slight lag when shifting from automatic to reverse modes for three-point turns etc. If you try to hurry the C4 through this kind of tight manoeuvre, the gearbox can engage the gear late, slotting into drive when you've already got too many revs on the board. The results can be a little undignified with the traction control being forced to step in.

"The C4 is alive with technology but it's technology that works"

All in all, we've found it's best to take things easy in our C4. It handles nicely enough with surprisingly sharp responses to steering inputs but understeer is never far away under fast cornering and the car's real strength on the road is its level of comfort. The engine remains hushed at cruising speeds and the suspension on our five-door model turns in a cosseting performance. Citroen offer the angular three-door coupe for the committed speed merchants.

The EGS gearbox and the 1.6-litre HDi engine make a highly economical combination. The powerplant has a respectable 110bhp to call upon but it can still return an average of 60mpg and the EGS gearbox adds a further 6% to that figure. On our test, we've routinely bettered 50mpg and a further benefit, both to the wallet and to the environment, is the 120g/km CO2 emissions figure. Harmful emissions are reduced further with the aid of Citroen's DPF Diesel Particulate Filter.

If you do find yourself a little overwhelmed by the displays and gadgets on the C4, don't panic. It's a credit to the car's designers that the things you really need are where you'd expect to find them. One possible exception is the main display which sits atop the fascia resembling the Lords cricket ground media centre. Peer beneath the hooded binnacle and rather than the Test Match Special team comparing notes on the day's fruit cake, you'll find essentials like your current speed, fuel reserves and engine temperature as well as various warning lights. The display works well in all light levels but some of the digits are a little small to pick-out at a glance.

The thing with the C4 is that there are lots of gadgets that you can get with the car. Our reasonably plush VTR+ model features scented air-conditioning, an automatic speed limiter and cruise control. You can also specify the lane departure warning system (which vibrates your seat to wake you up if you cross a white line without indicating), satellite navigation and other desirables that up the button count further. The lower-spec C4s that most people buy don't have anything like as much kit and so the controls are far simpler to fathom.

On a practical front, out C4 long termed has performed well. The stereo controls on the fixed-hub steering wheel are a winner as far as our testers are concerned, as is the sliding armrest in between the front seats that can be adjusted to your favourite position and lifts up to reveal a handy storage bin. The rear door openings could be wider to facilitate easier access and taller passengers in the back will find their legs bunched up a bit but there's plenty of headroom and a very capacious boot with a low loading lip. The seating material on out VTR+ is a strange netting fabric that has proven a little difficult to clean and the imitation carbon fibre plastic on the centre console isn't of the best quality. Otherwise, the materials and construction do more than pass muster.

We've enjoyed our time with the C4 and it's clear that the combination of the EGS gearbox and the 1.6-litre HDi engine really lends itself to family use. The C4's technological idiosyncrasies can be a little off-putting on first acquaintance but you really don't notice the ways in which it side steps convention once you've spent time at the wheel. The C4 is alive with technology but it's technology that works and that's always the best kind.