While the previous C4 was a very classic car, trend obliges, the current generation (the third) plays in the court of SUVs and other crossovers with big wheels and raised ground clearance, but also a particular style, which would not have been to displease some Japanese brands.
On board
The model entrusted to us for this test is a high-end Pack Shine.
Key in hand, the car unlocks when we arrive.
Once on board, we discover superb leather seats, heated, massaging and electrically adjustable.
We were spoiled, it is a 400 € option.
Their softness leaves no doubt, we are indeed on board a Citroën.
Significant fact, in addition to quality materials, the storage is very numerous and well thought out, with a real drawer facing the passenger which can accommodate a laptop or tablet.
With a small accessory, the passenger can even fix his tablet in front of him thanks to a retractable support in the dashboard.
Great !
Under the eyes of the driver, the instrumentation is entirely digital.
Still passes for the impossibility of customizing the display, but the dimensions of the screen are really ridiculously small (5.5 inches).
That said, all the necessary information is there.
In the center of the dashboard, the infotainment system screen is well integrated and has two shortcut keys (one for the home screen and another for access to settings).
Nothing to complain about, except that the reception of the DAB signal is really poor and the image quality of the reversing camera leaves something to be desired.
A good point, however, for the air conditioning settings plate equipped with “real” buttons.
At the rear, thanks to the large wheelbase (2.70 m between the axis of the front wheels and that of the rear wheels), side passengers have enough room for their legs.
The middle one, obviously, is a bit more cramped.
Inherent to the style of the bodywork, the trunk sill is quite high.
The flush floor is removable, and conceals a nice additional storage space.
There is thus a useful volume of 340 or 380 liters depending on the position of the removable floor and 1,250 liters with the rear seats folded down.
Values perfectly in the middle of the segment.
Let's end this chapter by specifying that the rear window in two parts may not please everyone in terms of visibility, especially since no windshield wiper is provided.
On the road
The strong point of this model is the quality of its damping.
In its category, the C4 is certainly the only one to offer such a level of softness.
However, cash movements are well controlled.
In short, a remarkable level of comfort.
The steering is just as soft and light, as are the actions of the lane keeping assistance system, which we didn't even try to disconnect.
By giving priority to comfort at this point, the C4 is obviously not very dynamic in its behavior.
But is that really what we ask of a wagon like this?
Characterized by a particular sound, the 3-cylinder PureTech 130 hp also gave us complete satisfaction.
Admittedly, in its category, it is not the one that benefits from the best vibration soundproofing, but we can only appreciate its availability at low speeds and its extension as soon as it is requested more.
Our test model was equipped with the EAT8 automatic transmission.
Here too, it's not the best (a few slight jolts remain perceptible), but the pleasure conferred by this box still meets expectations.
We can therefore only recommend it.
Budget
The model made available to us costs €33,150.
Given the richness of its endowment (adaptive cruise control with stop & go function, recognition of road signs, lane keeping assistance, blind spot control, reversing camera, head-up display, dual-zone automatic air conditioning , hands-free access/starting, LED headlights with automatic high beam switching, connected navigation, etc.), we can say that it enjoys a very good price/equipment ratio.
Conclusion
It's undeniable, the Citroën C4 is the most comfortable car in its segment.
A real daily pleasure, in any case for those who prefer softness to dynamism of behavior.
Its price positioning is also advantageous, with prices starting at €23,850.
In fact, the hardest thing about the C4 is getting used to its twisted lines.
But hey, the tastes and the colors…
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