Citroën C4 X petrol review: generous space and comfort at an accessible price

Generous space and onboard comfort at an accessible price. Is anything missing from the petrol-only Citroën C4 X?

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The Citroën C4 X, the four-door, three-box saloon in the C4 family, was initially scheduled to arrive on the domestic market exclusively as a fully electric model. That has since changed.

Perhaps because the brand identified greater potential for the model, it expanded the range to include combustion-engined versions. This petrol-powered model, fitted with the 1.2 PureTech engine, is the focus of this test, and it leaves very little to be desired.

Externally, there are almost no differences from the electric version I have already had the chance to drive. The only noticeable change is the lack of the ë-C4 X's blue detailing; everything else is the same.

From the front, the Citroën C4 X is not markedly different from the version without the X in its name, which has a five-door, two-box body. However, the brand has also added extra plastic trim, around the wheel arches for instance, along with generous ground clearance that seems to “nod towards” the SUV world.

Space and comfort, with no surprises

Inside, the petrol Citroën C4 X is once again virtually identical to the fully electric version, whether in terms of trim, available room or the numerous storage compartments. The driving position still takes some effort to get right initially, and attracts the same criticism.

From the driver's seat, there is the same steering wheel and gear selector. It also uses the same small fully digital instrument display, whose information is limited to the essentials. This is one area where a more sophisticated appearance would be welcome.

For space, this C4 range body style will always be a sound choice. There is more than enough room in the rear row, both for headroom and legroom. Behind that sits a 510-litre boot, although the relatively narrow opening needs to be considered when carrying larger items.

Just three cylinders for the Citroën C4 X

In this version, powered by the 130 hp 1.2 PureTech engine, its compact dimensions and three-cylinder layout never appeared to be an issue for the Citroën C4 X's 1364 kg. The eight-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox also makes the most of the PureTech engine's full potential. Compared with the most affordable electric C4 X, it has only 6 hp less while shedding almost 300 kg.

Even with the car nearly full, the Citroën C4 X is happy to take on a longer motorway run. Nor does it object to more conventional daily journeys with children, backpacks and so on.

The three available driving modes bring only a slight variation in throttle response, so I made little use of Eco and Sport. Normal, the middle setting, was selected almost all the time, and average fuel consumption remains perfectly reasonable in this mode.

Although the final test average was 7.8 l/100 km, this included plenty of city driving and traffic, as well as a few unsuccessful attempts to coax a sporting character from the 1.2 PureTech engine. Much more economical figures are achievable.

Combine open-road or motorway driving with restrained throttle use, and consumption will sit comfortably below six litres.

More comfortable than dynamic

From a more dynamic perspective, it is worth remembering that this is not the ideal model for tackling a sequence of bends at a brisker pace. With the Citroën C4 X, the brand has instead drawn on its heritage by fitting features designed to deliver high levels of comfort and a calmer atmosphere onboard.

For that reason, the suspension uses hydraulic bump-stop technology, helping it disguise many of the surface imperfections encountered along the way. Citroën also appears to have devoted more development time than usual to acoustic comfort, with rolling and aerodynamic noise both kept very well under control.

Better suited to our market

Last October, I had the opportunity to drive the fully electric Citroën C4 X, and I remember that price was not among its strongest points. Yet this is exactly where the petrol-engined version stands out most, and where the difference from the electric option is greatest.

In MAX trim, as fitted to the test car, the Citroën C4 X 1.2 PureTech 130 EAT8 has a starting price of €32,613. Adding the Alcantara elements (€200) and black roof paint (€300), the options fitted to the tested C4 X, brings the total to €33,113.

At this level, the price no longer seems especially excessive, particularly when considering everything the Citroën C4 X has to offer. Compared with the fully electric version, the €10,000 difference still buys a great many litres of petrol.

Verdict

Technical specifications