Though the robot ads are not for me, I can't help warming to Citroen's C4. The shape is a refreshing change from the usual rather dull designs that populate the Family Hatchback sector and it helps that the innovative approach is also carried through to the interior.

All the usual practicalities of a modernday Family Hatch are in evidence and interior space and stowage room are both more than class competitive. What I really liked however, was the way that Citroen have tried to build in features more often seen on luxury cars - laminated side window glass for example. Not only does this aid safety in the result of an accident, it also provides enhanced protection against crime and even boosts the cabin's acoustic qualities. Manufacturers of car stereos have long lamented the fact that with a high proportion of echoing surfaces, the car's interior is one of the most acoustically challenging environments in which to create great sounding music reproduction. It has been found that the insulating layer of clear plastic inside a laminated windscreen produced less acoustic scatter than the harsher echoes that rebounded off a more brittle toughened screen. The innovations don't stop there. The C4 even features a scented air freshener built into the dashboard to prolong that fantastic new car smell. One of the nicer detail touches is a translucent instrument cluster that adjusts to ambient light levels, giving a clear readout whatever the light conditions. Many cars offer LCD screens that are virtually impossible to read in daylight and if you switch your headlamps on so that other cars can see you coming, the problem can get worse. Thankfully Citroen have spent some time and money coming up with a solution.

As with a number of Citroen models, you slide behind the wheel to be greeted with a digital speedometer display rather than the usual analogue round dials. It's a little strange at first if you're not used to it but after a while, like most things of this kind, it becomes the norm and other cars begin to seem a little outdated. The curious steering wheel arrangement took a little longer to grow on me and I had to consult the handbook to fully understand all the curious little buttons. It's certainly a clever piece of design but it will have customers fumbling around if their only familiarity with the car is based on a 10 minute test drive around the block. There's a wide range of powerplants, most of which meet Euro IV emissions standards, offering a broad range of performance - from 90 to 180bhp for the petrol engines and 92 to 138bhp for the HDi diesels. Buyers seeking the convenience of an automatic can specify a 5-speed unit with the 1.6 or 2.0-litre petrol engines in SX or Exclusive trim. The HDi diesel range opens with an engine that made its debut in the C4, although in fact, it's simply a lower output version of the 110bhp 1.6-litre HDi engine that's already appeared elsewhere in the manufacturer's line-up. With 92bhp, this 1.6-litre 16-valve unit still delivers a fair turn of speed, particularly lower in the rev range where the 159lb/ft of torque at 1,750rpm makes its presence felt. Next up is that 110bhp 1.6-litre HDi engine we just mentioned and while the official performance figures aren't a massive improvement over the 92bhp engine (11.2s 0-60mph and 119mph top speed instead of 12.5s and 112mph) there is noticeably more urge off the line. The ultimate C4 HDi is the 138bhp 2.0-litre 16-valve version. This powerplant feels significantly more muscular at lower engine speeds thanks to a brutal 236lb/ft of torque at 2,000rpm and it's more responsive higher in the range too.

This car certainly falls into the category of models I'd buy because I wanted to rather than I had to - and there aren't too many of those in the Family Hatchback sector. To be honest, it deserves to sell in greater numbers than it does. Perhaps Citroen need to promote it differently - but then, what do I know..