2021 Citroen C4 review: see why it drives unlike anything else in the family car class

Citroen is at its best when it takes a slightly different route from the crowd, and with the all new C4, it might have just created one of the most intriguing alternatives to the Volkswagen Golf and Ford Focus. And that's not just because of those quirky looks - the new C4 is offered with not only combustion powertrains, but in the case of the e-C4, an electric option, too. Deputy Editor John McIlroy gets behind the wheel to find out if Citroen has produced a class-leading family hatchback.

More Auto Express videos

Follow us

[ashleyreynolds]

Citroen back to their roots in being individual and different. Bravo!

[stickygaiden]

It's really pleasing to see english reviews when the reviewer is not doing the "french bashing" by default.

- From a frenchman.

[mrquordlepleen]

A breath of fresh air and hope for the future. Citroën going back to what they traditionally do best but have not done for a few decades; comfortable, softer riding cars with interesting design - I guess the more narrow minded might say ‘weird ‘. Let’s settle on ‘Individual ‘.😆 Probably with better build quality and reliability now too. Good to see.

[andreilungu]

Just ordered mine (Feel pack, 1.2 130hp), will arrive in April! Thanks for the review!

[megapangolin]

Excellent, clear, concise, informal, informative review, I thoroughly enjoyed this as an approach, with no gimmicks, showing off, or statements about "this is my preference" or "I like this". We don't want to hear about those things we want an independent review that focusses on what most buyers will be interested in. Citroens history revels in being different, and given that it is almost impossible to drive a car fast in the UK any more, then comfort is the way to go, especially if it softens the ride on our potholed roads. Great stuff all round.

[tgrytting]

This is going to be my first car, so excited.

[spursman]

At last, something which bucks the trend. Bravo Citroen, classy and different and all the better for it.

[stephenberry]

A French car maker returning to what they do best, Comfort, Originality and Style with practicality.
Why did so many manufactures try to make so many cars with mediocre ride and comfort for sporty handling??

Greatest case in point was the incredible Citroen GS - the most comfortable practical small car ever...
Great roadholding with body roll and superb comfort even with 4 passengers and a full cavenous boot..

[michield]

The pad holder is equiped with a filter so the driver can't see on the tablet. Otherwise you could just as well make the 10" touchscreen a video player to, ....

[Flaviusbob]

What a design, not great not terrible:). Citroen tried to do it all, to tick all the boxes, a spacious hatchback, an mini coupe suv. However the interior looks a bit too spartan. I would not say no to an electric version.

[aye]

Very quirky look exterior. The interior looks incredible.

[Darx]

Front and sides look decent but not a fan of the rear

[PaulA-zphn]

Looks great, well done Citroen.

And that 153 hp engine sounds just fine to me!

[josephjardine]

I like this, citroën are back to what they do best, which is brilliant as what they do best is comfortable cars with style. This is exactly that, from a mechanical perspective those hydraulic cushions are a brilliant solution, they are simple, and much less expensive than their previous hydractive suspension.

[BaruKz]

In terms of exterior design is better, and the interior looks better as well. I hope the quality has gone up a notch, the comfort was their good passport but I reckon it shouldn't move so much in the corners. Although it still is a good effort.

[TheAlyJihad]

great package, budget friendly compared to deutsch rivals. perfect suspension, gearbox and engine combination even close to bmw quality with this triple package.

[ramman]

The idea of the iPad tray is for when your parked /taking a break

[OscarLeeMX]

I can't believe he found a way to criticize the iPad holder.

[jgreen]

8 speed auto the best even if it costs extra. Smooth and quick shifts. Loose and rubbery manuals from Citroën best avoided imo.

[zuti]

Original look and diesel engine is sometihg i'm glad to see.