The Citroen C4 is probably the most attainable European compact sold here. And now, it is offered as an EV, so it also is greener

2023 Citroen e-C4

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Launch Date: July 2023, S$171,999 with COE and VES
Five-door, compact crossover, five seats
130hp, single-motor electric drive, 14.5kWh/100km, 363km range

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PROS

Comfortable suspension
Decent equipment levels

CONS

Cheap, almost brittle hard plastics everywhere
Front seats lack thigh support

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Photos : Clifford Chow

SINGAPORE

When the current Citroen C4 first arrived, we were treated to a bag of both positives and negatives, stirred into a pot of quirks, herbs and spices. But quirky is pretty-much the middle name for the storied French automaker, as they are known to build cars which are often on the western-most side of left-of-field. The Citroen e-C4 Electric is the third offering in the C4 range, and is their first electric passenger car here. 

In every sense of the (loosely used) word, the e-C4 is a Crossover. And to qualify, it has higher ground clearance than any hatchback out there, and nothing shouts “off-road inspired” more than frosted-black plastic trim all-around. But while its coupe-like silhouette bears some resemblance to the previous hatchback, that is probably where any resemblance ends.

Citroen’s design approach to the current car is significantly more organic, especially in the front, where the headlight styling could almost trigger Trypophobia in some. Citroen’s unrestrained “pen swishes” continue at the rear, where organic forms blend effortlessly with angular lines. There is also a wing, plastered across the rear single-piece windshield (similar to but unlike the Toyota Prius), which visually “jacks” the rear up.

Once inside, that feeling that you are in a coupe is quite evident, due to the rake angle of the windshield. The dashboard has little clutter, and if you were to mess with its switchgear, you’d quickly tell that the e-C4 is generally ergonomically sound, as the important bits are within easy reach. The 10.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, though not the quickest, is rather easy to operate, and wired versions of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are supported through Citroën Connect Play. A wireless charger is part of the standard equipment list, and although the tray is not huge in size, it is large enough to accommodate most mobile phones. In a time where manufacturers are actively reducing the button count on their dashboards, I am glad that Citroen chose to retain physical adjusters for the air-conditioning.

So, I do notice when building cars, the French seem to have a thing for scratchy-black hard plastics. I have seen this used to varying degrees in the Peugeot 3008 and 5008; and also in the Renault Megane. Over in the e-C4, the black stuff makes up much of your touchpoints, which in-turn cheapens the interior. Also, I wish that Citroen had not gone ahead with that i-Pad holder located above the glove compartment, and spent time sculpting the instrument cluster, as the latter does look like an afterthought.

We all know that one of Citroen’s hallmarks is ensuring that their cars are comfortable. The e-C4 is no exception, boasting Citroën Advanced Comfort seats, which are designed to provide additional comfort and support. Extra cushioning comes from a 15mm layer of memory foam under the seat fabric. On first impressions, they work great, allowing your lower body bits to descend in comfort; however, the front seats lack crucial thigh support. The story is similar at the rear, with the same pillowing comfort coming from the bench-style seats.

At 380 litres, the Citroen’s boot is on-par with that of the Volkswagen Golf Mk.8, and slightly larger than the MG4 EV. I like that it has little in the way of odd corners, and if you need to activate all 1,250 litres of its cargo-carrying capacity, the 60:40 folding rear seats drop, creating an almost-flat loading area.

In-place of that familiar 3-cylinder turbocharged engine, paired to an 8-speed automatic, the e-C4 gets a single motor up-front, which takes its power from a 50kWh battery. Over here, you get 130hp and 250Nm, which is able to take the Citroen EV to 100km/h in 10.6 seconds – Not much in terms of on-paper performance. But the electric crossover takes-off from the lights more quickly than its petrol-powered brethren, and you will easily find yourself at the front of the pack, all thanks to the motor’s instantaneous torque delivery. 

Where the e-C4 is moderately slower than its petrol-propelled sibling, it makes up for this in terms of smoothness. It is devoid of gear-changing pulses, 3-cyl vibrations and engine noise, therefore it feels simply more refined. Ride quality is mostly smooth, largely thanks to its ‘Progressive Hydraulic Cushions’. While driving comfort is not nearly close to that of hydropneumatic setups found in yesteryear Citroens, the progressive cushions still do a fine job in steamrolling through minor road bumps.

However, since I am driving what is in-essence a raised hatchback, there is some compromise to its handling. Around bends, it feels far from being “Golf” planted, or even as sharp as the MG4. But the electrified C4 decently holds its own, and is far from being the softest compact EV out there. That award would likely go to the BYD Atto 3.

Increasingly with cars in its class, the e-C4 is equipped with similar driver-aids, which include active safety braking, automated dipped beams and adaptive cruise control. The last feature is great especially when you are trapped in a jam on the highway. 

2023 BYD Atto 3 100kW Review: Same Yet Different

Based on manufacturer estimates, the Citroen e-C4 is able to cover a range of 363km, which is similar to the Peugeot e-2008 and Opel Mokka-e – siblings from different mothers. However, similar-size competition, like the KIA Niro EV doing a claimed 400km and the MG4 boasting a range of 450km, have a (slight) advantage. But, if you do not plan to drive the car across the border, and have access to your own charging port, I would say that the extra range capabilities are not as relevant.

While COEs are at an all-time high, the consolation here is that the Citroen e-C4’s power rating ensures that it is a Category A car. But it still doesn’t come cheap. At $171,999*, the “bread-and-butter” EV is still an expensive way to get around.

Citroen e-C4 Electric

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