Used Citroen C4 (Mk3, 2020-date) review: comfortable hatch covers all the bases

Verdict

The small-family-car segment is busy, and getting ever more so as makers introduce a raft of electric models that are separate from their petrol and diesel counterparts.But Citroen has all bases covered with the C4, and with the e-C4 accounting for a large proportion of sales, the EV option has proved popular. We’ve run an e-C4 and a C4 X on our test fleet and liked their comfort, practicality and tech. However, when we tested a C4 against Kia’s XCeed, it was the latter that won, which proves there’s some tough competition out there. The important thing is that if you do decide that the Citroen C4 is the right small family car for you, with the third generation we can finally say that we don’t disagree.

Citroen has a rich history of innovation, but there’s a whole generation of car buyers who see the brand as nothing more than a maker of cheap and ordinary products, thanks to a raft of uninspiring models introduced over many years, starting in the noughties.

But things started to change a few years ago, with quality much improved, and more reliable electrics and electronics being introduced, along with desirable eye-catching designs. Nowhere is this better encapsulated than with the C4, which was hard to recommend in its Mk1 form (from 2004 until 2010). Although the Mk2 was better, it was a question of third time lucky for Citroen – as well as buyers, who could finally put their money into one of these small family cars with confidence.

History

The C4 and e-C4 went on sale in October 2020, with the first cars delivered at the start of 2021. From the outset there was a choice of petrol, diesel and electric power. Citroen offered three 1.2-litre PureTech petrol options (100, 130, 155bhp), along with 1.5-litre BlueHDi 110 and 130 diesels. The sole electric option (sold as the e-C4) came with a 50kWh battery pack and a 100kW (134bhp) electric motor.

There were Sense, Sense Plus, Shine and Shine Plus trims, with the posher editions by far the most popular. Citroen reduced the availability of the cheaper models in October 2021, while earlier this month it introduced a 54kWh e-C4 with a 115kW (154bhp) motor, alongside a 134bhp 1.2-litre petrol/electric hybrid.

Which one should I buy?

The only engine we’d suggest avoiding is the PureTech 100, because it lacks zip, while the diesel makes no sense unless you cover a lot of miles each year. Although the e-C4 is good if you want low running costs, its range isn’t very impressive.

Even entry-level C4s have 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, digital dials, a 10-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Also included are automatic headlights and wipers, dual-zone climate control and rear parking sensors.

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The Sense Plus adds a head-up display, satellite navigation, a rear camera and LED cabin lighting. Shine spec includes a raft of additional safety equipment, including adaptive cruise control, high-beam assist and blind-spot warning, while Shine Plus brings an upgraded hi-fi, synthetic leather trim and heated front seats.

Alternatives to the Citroen C4

You generally need to consider two sets of alternatives, depending on whether you want an electric car, or one powered by fossil fuel. If you’re in the market for the latter, the Peugeot 208 and 2008 are related to the C4, along with the Vauxhall Corsa and Mokka, and there’s also the DS 3 Crossback. The SEAT Leon, Skoda Scala, Volkswagen Golf and Kia Ceed are other rivals. They don’t have the crossover look, although the Kia Xceed is a closer option.

If you’re in the market for a used EV, we’d suggest that you take a look at the Hyundai Kona Electric and its cousin, the Kia Niro EV. While the Volkswagen ID.3 is plentiful, its Cupra Born relation is more appealing. There are lots of Nissan Leafs available, too, but it’s a bit dated now.

What to look for

Comfort

In a world of firm-riding cars, one of the C4’s USPs is its superbly comfortable ride. If this is a priority for you, buy a C4 or e-C4.

Range

Citroen claims a 217-mile range for the e-C4 50kW, but 160-180 miles is more likely. This can drop to just 135 miles or so on the motorway.

Topping up

The maximum charge rate for the e-C4 is 100kW, which fills the battery in 30 minutes. Charge at home (7.4kW) and it takes 7.5 hours.

Extras

Key options that are worth seeking out include a heated steering wheel, an opening glass roof, a 360-degree camera and an integrated dash cam.

Interior

The cabin is streets ahead of its predecessors’, but it still can’t eclipse the class leaders for the quality of materials used. It doesn’t look or feel cheap, but the relentlessly black trim can seem oppressive. The ergonomics are excellent and the 10-inch touchscreen works really well; things got even better in 2023, with improved software.

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There’s enough space for four six-footers and the boot capacity is good, at 380 litres, or 1,250 litres with the back seats folded. These figures apply to the C4 and e-C4, although the latter doesn’t have a split-level boot floor, whereas petrol and diesel models do have this feature.

Prices

The number of e-C4s for sale isn’t that far behind the number of petrol and diesel editions. Of the ICE models, diesels account for about one in six, but if you’ve been toying with the idea of going electric, the e-C4 could be the car to help you do that.

To check prices on a specific model head over to our valuation tool.

Running costs

While the C4 has a service interval of every 12 months or 16,000 miles, the e-C4 stretches this to every two years or 16,000 miles, although it does need an initial check-up at one year or 8,000 miles. The C4 and e-C4 maintenance schedule runs Interim, Main, Interim, Major. For the e-C4 the Interim costs £70, the Main is £209 and the Major is £229; the equivalent costs for petrols are £205, £255 and £405, and for diesels it’s £205, £255 and £375. Pattern parts can be used to shave a few quid off these prices.

All engines have a cambelt that must be changed every 10 years or 116,000 miles, at £499. All C4s have a two-year unlimited-mileage warranty; cars bought from an official dealer have an extra year’s guarantee with a mileage limit of 60,000. An e-C4’s battery pack is guaranteed for eight years or 100,000 miles.

Recalls

Showing just what great strides Citroen has made in terms of quality, whereas the first C4 (2004-2010) was recalled on 11 occasions, the third-generation C4 has been recalled just once so far. That was in May 2023, because 6,867 vehicles left the factory with faulty wiring. All of these cars were made between July and November 2022, with the recall also affecting the SpaceTourer, C4X, Jumpy and Berlingo.

The problem centred on the wiring in the air-con compressor developing a fault, which could lead to the entire powertrain shutting down. The solution was to update the software in the Powertrain Diagnosis ECU. To see if any Citroen is subject to any outstanding recalls, just put its chassis number into the web page at citroen.co.uk/maintain/safety-recall-check.html.

Driver Power owner satisfaction

The C4 Mk3 achieved first place in its Driver Power New Car survey debut in 2023, which automatically made it the top compact family car. The only poor scores were 68th for all-round visibility and 59th for touchscreen sensitivity, so that first place was no surprise. Also in the mix were top spots for overall quality and ride comfort, plus top-10 scores for most of the things that matter, aside from 17th for reliability.