Review of the new Citroen C4 Range

Not your run of the mill family hatchback, the Citroen C4 piles on the technology and includes some unorthodox styling features but it all hangs together rather well. The car now gets the larger C5 model's more distinctive nose, plus there's a couple of higher-tech BMW-developed petrol engines borrowed from its Peugeot 308 PSA Group stablemate. The upgraded interior is now closer in quality to most some rivals and makes up for any remaining lack with its sheer wow factor. Excellent diesel engines and lots of equipment also help to tempt buyers.

Citroen confounded most people's expectations with their C4. To the outside observer, the French manufacturer seemed to have turned away from roots steeped in the creation of quirkily innovative cars and settled into a cosy niche, selling models that were competent and extremely tightly priced but rarely dynamic or challenging. Then the C4 family hatch arrived and made the kind of impact that you'd more readily associate with its plastic explosive namesake. The C4 felt fresh and distinctive and it still does but is that enough in a market where excellence is the minimum standard for big sales?

With over 900,000 examples sold, Citroen took the opportunity to do a spot of refettling, installing a more distinctive front end and the 1.6-litre VTi (Variable Valve Lift & Timing) petrol engines that weren't available when this car was first launched. The mainstream C4 range is split between Coupe and Hatchback models. 'Coupe' is Citroen-speak for 3-door, the family-orientated 5-door derivatives being called simply 'Hatchback'.

The initial impression when driving the C4 is that its makers may have overdone it on the innovation front. Digital read-outs shine back at you wherever you look and the centre of the steering wheel is fixed in position. Remarkably, however, once you get over the initial strangeness, everything works very well. You only need to divert your eyes from the road slightly to pick up the wealth of information on the main dash-top display, which now incorporates a rev counter that, if you really get your foot down, flashes red at the limit, prompting you to change up. Rear visibility is hindered somewhat by the unorthodox rear window on the Coupe but parking isn't a problem as the bottom section of the split screen gives decent view of objects immediately behind the car.

"This is a car quite unlike any of its rivals."

The C4 rides with impressive smoothness and composure but it doesn't quite offer the level of feedback you sometimes want from a sporty hatchback. The variable assistance power steering has an accurate feel and the car is nicely balanced through corners.

If you're familiar with the original C4, then the changes to the facelifted version won't come as too much of a shock. There's a redesigned, curvier bonnet to make it look more like the large C5, whilst the grille benefits from restyled integrated chevrons. The front bumper has also been revamped and the number plate repositioned for what Citroen hope is 'a stronger, sportier, more dynamic look'. The rear lights of the C4 Coupe are now finished in transparent crystal, there are fresh wheel designs and paint colours, plus in the pursuit of 'added elegance', chrome inserts are featured on some models.

Inside the cabin, the rev counter has been relocated to the innovative translucent central display unit. A plush grain is now featured on the dashboard and doors which, along with the smarter decor, makes for a more upmarket feel, while the integrated scented air freshener deals with unwanted odours. The interior is spacious and the Coupe provides similar amounts of rear legroom and boot space to the Hatchback. The boot opening is narrower, however, and the levers that fold the front seats forward allowing access to the rear have a habit of sticking up to catch the shins of passengers climbing in. Ouch.

The engine range opens with Citroen's older 90 and 110bhp 1.4 and 1.6-litre 16-valve petrol units. Best however, to try and stretch either for a diesel or for one of the more modern petrol engines. Many will choose the 120bhp 1.6-litre VTi option with its 120mph performance and 42mpg combined fuel economy..

In general, these high-revving petrol units are not without their charm but many buyers will be swayed by Citroen's impressive HDi common-rail diesels. The 1.6-litre HDi oil-burner is remarkably quiet. In 92bhp form, it will reach 62mph from standstill in 12.5s and if you upgrade to the 110bhp option there's a 11.2s time for the sprint and the option of Citroen's 6-speed electronic gearbox.

All Citroen C4 models receive ABS with EBD and brake assist, twin front and lateral airbags plus side window airbags. There's a multi-function trip computer, a CD stereo, remote central locking, electric front windows, electric door mirrors, power steering and cruise control with a speed limiter. This is a well equipped car and it becomes even more so as you ascend the trim level range. In recent times, there have also been a number of technology upgrades. Citroen's latest Europe-wide navigation system, MyWay, has been introduced, which features a high-resultion 7-inch colour screen, Bluetooth and USB connectivity as well as an audio system with a built-in 10GB hard drive.

As tends to be the case, the Citroen C4's best fuel economy is produced by its smallest diesel engines. The 1.6-litre HDI units return outstanding 60mpg fuel economy making them desirable all-round prospects. Expect around 44mpg from the 1.4-litre petrol and just over 40mpg from both the 1.6 VTi unit on the combined cycle. Insurance varies between groups 4 and 6.

If you find yourself uninspired by the obvious choices in the family hatchback sector, Citroen's C4 continues to make a distinctive and slightly leftfield choice. Citroen is at its best when it does things that little bit differently and the C4 is a prime example of this. The three-door Coupe and five-door hatchback are very different propositions visually but that should help the C4 appeal to the maximum number of buyers.

The unashamedly high-tech approach favoured by the C4 will alienate some people while inspiring others but it makes the car quite unlike any of its rivals. Reasonable build quality and a decent drive are matched to excellent equipment levels, a smarter feel, a better range of petrol engines and some of the best diesels in the business. With Citroen's tight pricing and aggressive marketing promotions placed into the mix, the C4 delivers on a lot of levels.

TOP 5 C4 DEALS

The results below show the top C4 deals on buyacar

Citroen C4 1.6i 16V VTi VTR Plus 5dr Hatchback
Price £11,997 Read C4 Reviews	Save £4,148
Citroen C4 1.6HDi 16V VTR Plus [110] 5dr Diesel Hatchback
Price £13,432 Read C4 Reviews	Save £4,343
Citroen C4 1.6HDi 16V VTR Plus 5dr Diesel Hatchback
Price £12,458 Read C4 Reviews	Save £4,217
Citroen C4 1.6HDi 16V Exclusive [110] 5dr EGS Diesel Hatchback
Price £14,527 Read C4 Reviews	Save £4,748
Citroen C4 1.6HDi 16V Airdream+ [110] 5dr EGS Diesel Hatchback
Price £14,056 Read C4 Reviews	Save £4,319
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