We thought the pre-facelift petrol C4 was better when paired with the six-speed manual transmission (which was axed as part of the facelift) rather than the eight-speed automatic you get now.
The Hybrid 145’s automatic gearbox is a bit of a let down. While it’s slick between shifts, we found it laggy when kicking down during testing. This is not improved by using the paddle shifts on the steering wheel, because the C4 all too often ignores the commands.
| Model | Power | 0-62mph | Top speed |
| C4 Petrol 130 | 129bhp | 9.4 seconds | 124mph |
| C4 Hybrid 145 | 145bhp | 8.0 seconds | 130mph |
Performance, 0-60mph acceleration and top speed
If you’re after the fastest C4, the hybrid is the one to go for. This model dispatches the 0-62mph run in a fairly brisk 8.0 seconds, and the top speed is 130mph.
The petrol has more leisurely acceleration, completing the same sprint in 9.4 seconds, and the top speed is a bit slower at 124mph.
Town driving, visibility and parking
The C4’s Advanced Comfort suspension does an excellent job at ironing out the seemingly endless imperfections that can be found on the tough city streets. Both powertrains offer a good amount of shove from a standstill, too, so you won’t have too many issues if you want to get away from a red light in a bit of a hurry.
Front visibility is good thanks to a lofty driving position, but it’s less impressive at the rear, where you’ll find a rather obstructive spoiler. A rear-view camera helps here, but you’ll only get that if you opt for the pricier Plus trim.
Country road driving and handling
The Citroen C4 doesn’t claim to be a car you’ll regularly chuck into corners, but reassuringly, it manages to hold the road well if you do decide to channel your inner Sebastien Loeb. The steering is light and requires an extra input or two to get some feel for the front wheels, although this hatchback is agile enough when pushed hard. We also found the skinny eco-optimised tyres served up plenty of grip.
Motorway driving and long-distance comfort
Once again, Citroen’s suspension expertise pays dividends when you take the C4 on a longer trip. Very few elements are allowed to compromise the ride quality, and the cabin is well protected against any exterior noise. It’s not quite a Rolls-Royce, but at this price, we doubt you’ll have any complaints.
