Citroën C4 1.6 HDi 112 CV CMP, road test (equipment, prices and assessment)

Over these days we have been analysing the new Citroën C4, a car that has been completely redesigned and that is also important within the Citroën range in terms of sales. For the test we chose the 1.6 HDi 112 CV diesel engine, paired with the CMP six-speed semi-automatic manual gearbox.

Our C4 was the e-HDi, the eco version within the range, and it featured start&stop, among other improvements to make this performance-oriented diesel engine as efficient as possible. Everything related to the engine, consumption, performance or behaviour can be found in the first part of the test.

The exterior design, as well as the redesigned interior, was the main focus of the second part of the test. As we have seen, the new C4 now has a more traditional line while improving interior quality.

Finally, in the third part of the test we always focus on equipment, without forgetting everything related to safety, and we also look at prices and finish with our overall assessment of the model.

Equipment

Within the standard safety equipment on the Citroën C4 we can find items such as ABS, front, side and curtain airbags, stability control, and optionally we can fit blind-spot warning and fog lights. In EuroNCAP tests it achieved the coveted five stars with 90% adult occupant protection.

The range is structured into three trim levels: Business, Seduction and Exclusive. From the base trim we get as standard air conditioning, a CD MP3 radio with six speakers, front electric windows, AUX input, electric mirrors, among other items.

Our unit was the Exclusive trim, which comes equipped with practically everything, as we had fog lights, speed control and limiter, hill start assist, four electric windows, light and rain sensor, 17-inch alloy wheels, USB and Bluetooth connectivity, a 230 V power socket, massage-function seats, among other items.

One of the features that Citroën is promoting most on the C4 is the wing mirror blind-spot warning. It is a very interesting system that warns us when there is a car in our blind spot, and when changing lanes it is a real help. But it is a pity that, when this system was developed, a simple beep was not fitted (something many brands do) when we switch on the indicator towards the side where the obstacle is, because a simple light in the mirror feels somewhat incomplete.

It also had a parking system, which includes the sensors and measures the space when we are about to park in a line, a system we have already tried on the Citroën C5, and which is very practical especially in spaces where we are a bit tight.

Finally, our model also had a navigation system, but not the well-known WIP NAV; instead it was an update of an old acquaintance from the PSA brand. Despite the design change, I believe it is still an updated RT3 (if I am not mistaken), and its operation is not exactly very intuitive.

In terms of connectivity it gets an excellent mark, since our unit had USB, AUX and Bluetooth for the phone, all standard at this Exclusive trim level, and it is also worth highlighting the sound quality of the speakers, which were not Hi-Fi but sounded really good.

Prices

We recommend checking the Citroën website or going directly to a dealership to find out first-hand the prices and discounts currently in force. Citroën usually has interesting offers and discounts that are updated every month.

• Citroën C4 VTi 95 Business 14,850 EUR
• Citroën C4 VTi 120 Business 15,650 EUR
• Citroën C4 HDi 90 Business 16,550 EUR
• Citroën C4 VTi 120 Seduction 16,850 EUR
• Citroën C4 HDi 110 Business 17,650 EUR
• Citroën C4 HDi 90 Seduction 17,750 EUR
• Citroën C4 VTi 120 Seduction Aut. 18,650 EUR
• Citroën C4 HDi 110 Seduction 18,850 EUR
• Citroën C4 VTi 120 Exclusive 19,200 EUR
• Citroën C4 e-HDi 110 Airdream CMP6 Seduction 19,750 EUR
• Citroën C4 HDi 90 Exclusive 20,100 EUR
• Citroën C4 HDi 150 Seduction 20,850 EUR
• Citroën C4 THP 155 CMP6 Exclusive 21,300 EUR
• Citroën C4 e-HDi 110 Airdream Exclusive 21,400 EUR
• Citroën C4 e-HDi 110 Airdream CMP6 Exclusive 22,200 EUR
• Citroën C4 HDi 150 Exclusive 23,200 EUR

-Price of the tested unit (Citroën C4 e-HDi 110 Airdream CMP6 Exclusive): 25,300 EUR

Overall Assessment

Important shift towards quality, with this premise is what we are left with after testing the new Citroën C4. Outside, the design has become somewhat more traditional; it will have its fans and detractors, but it still retains a certain level of personality in its lines. Meanwhile, the interior has gained presence, design and build quality (although some materials could visually be improved).

Its 112 CV HDi engine, which Citroën calls HDi 110, is very performance-oriented and is undoubtedly an interesting choice if we seek performance and economy in equal measure, but we strongly recommend that if we opt for this engine we do not fit the six-speed CMP gearbox.

This gearbox has the advantage of being cheap, as we can get an automatic (or rather, something similar to an automatic) at a relatively low price, but when driving with it we notice that it costs many points in ride comfort and response due to a certain sluggishness when engaging gears, a characteristic of this semi-automatic manual gearbox.

That said, the engine and its consumption surprised us because its response is very performance-oriented and the figures we achieved are very close, and the response is more than adequate. As with interior comfort, it is not a car that stands out for agility or sportiness, but in return the interior comfort sits at high levels.

Finally, the equipment has gained with the incorporation of certain systems from the C5 (such as the parking assist) or new to the range (such as the blind-spot warning), which is an added value for a compact and positions it very well in the market. That said, some of these new equipment elements can still be improved, without detracting from the merit of their operation or the inclusion of these technologically advanced systems in a compact.

Therefore, overall, the new Citroën C4 has impressed us with its efficient engine, a design that gains in quality, and state-of-the-art equipment for a compact.

Photos | Diego G. Moreira