Test drive Citroën C4 Cactus: more comfortable, just as daring

We tested the new 2018 Citroën C4 Cactus with its three-cylinder petrol engine, 1.2 litres and 110 CV.

The Citroën C4 Cactus 2018 is a daring and different car that improves on its predecessor in many respects. Setting aside the many design changes the car has undergone, the new progressive hydraulic suspension gives the compact a ride comfort we had never experienced in this model. Inside we find higher-quality finishes, more generous seats and a state-of-the-art technology package. At Top 10 Motor, we took the wheel of the new Citroën C4 Cactus with the 110 CV PureTech petrol engine which is available from €15,800. These are our impressions:

Exterior design changes: daring but more elegant

The new Citroën C4 Cactus has undergone a major makeover, making it a more refined car than its predecessor. To begin with, the French compact offers a longer silhouette than before, thanks to its 2 extra centimetres in length (4.17 metres). The new C4 Cactus still belongs to the C segment, but depending on the angle from which you look at it, you can even make out the shapes of a saloon.

One of the most distinctive features of this model is its famous airbumps, panels that protect the body from the doors. On the previous model, the airbumps were positioned along the middle of the side doors, whereas now they have been moved to the lower part of the doors, which gives the car’s profile a more refined line, especially with the red touch the airbumps take on in this new C4 Cactus. At the front of the car there are also red details on the fog lights, while the rear has new air intakes and new headlights with 3D LED effect.

One of the great attractions of this model is its high level of customisation: the car is available in 31 colour combinations different (9 body colours and 4 colour packs) and can be fitted with 16- or 17-inch wheels.

Improved chassis: exceptional ride comfort

The previous version of the Citroën C4 Cactus offered somewhat poor driving dynamics compared with its rivals (Focus, Leon, 308…), and although this new model still isn’t a benchmark in this respect, we do notice a clear improvement.

One of the big novelties of the new Citroën C4 Cactus is the PSA group’s progressive hydraulic suspension. The PHC damping offers two hydraulic stops (one for extension and one for compression) that slow the suspension’s movements throughout its travel. In other words, the damping of the new Citroën C4 Cactus avoids many uncomfortable rebounds and offers ride comfort superior to that of a traditional suspension. In this area the French compact approaches the more premium cars in its segment. Potholes are dealt with exceptionally smoothly in this car, while irregularities in the road surface are absorbed exceptionally well by the suspension.

On the other hand, the new Citroën C4 Cactus is not a car that responds brilliantly to dynamic driving, although it has improved over its predecessor. The PHC suspension has a soft setting that allows some body roll in demanding corners. The steering is also quite power-assisted. We don’t mean this is bad per se, simply that the chassis is more focused on comfortable driving.

Engine range: efficiency and smoothness

We tried the 110 CV PureTech engine with a six-speed automatic gearbox, and we can confirm it is one of the most efficient powertrains in the range. It is a three-cylinder, 1.2-litre petrol engine that produces 110 CV of power. What surprised us most is its smoothness when delivering power and its good torque at low revs. Its homologated consumption is 4.7 litres/100 km, and although it isn’t far from the average we obtained during our use (5.5–6 litres per hundred), it’s important to bear in mind that consumption can vary greatly depending on how the car is used. If we drive in a relaxed style, the engine rewards us with consumption below six litres, but if we abuse the accelerator we get the opposite: consumption of up to 10 litres. In this sense, this three-cylinder engine is like Jekyll and Mr Hyde… it’s best not to take the beast out for a walk (forgive my cheap humour =).

For its part, the 6-speed EAT6 automatic gearbox offers very smooth operation. Gear changes are fluid and contribute to the vehicle’s good ride comfort.

The petrol engine range of the new Citroën C4 Cactus is completed by a 130 CV Puretech unit and an 80 CV naturally aspirated engine. As for the diesel range, the C4 Cactus offers two 100 and 120 CV Blue HDi engines.

Interior: better finishes and excellent insulation

Inside the car we find better-quality finishes, such as the Piano Black plastic on the dashboard, a newly designed steering wheel and, above all, seats that are more comfortable than in the previous version. The Advanced Comfort seats are more padded (the cushioning surface has increased from 2 to 15 mm) and offer more generous proportions than we are used to in a compact car.

It’s also worth highlighting the good rear-seat space, where the Citroën C4 Cactus offers more than its rivals in the C segment. The boot still offers a capacity of 358 litres, which rises to 1,170 litres with the rear seats folded down.

One of the areas where this Citroën C4 Cactus has improved most over its predecessor is the good cabin insulation. Citroën has done a good job of improving the car’s soundproofing; inside, far fewer outside noises can be heard (road, engine, aerodynamic…).

The latest in connectivity and 12 driver assistance systems

The Citroën C4 Cactus is right up to date when it comes to technology. The car is available with three levels of connectivity: Connect Box, Connect NAV and Mirror Screen. All of them are compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and the last two incorporate an infotainment system that includes a very intuitive 7-inch touchscreen. A curious detail: the air conditioning and heating control panel can only be accessed through the touchscreen, which is somewhat inconvenient compared with the classic buttons on the centre console or dashboard.

The instrument cluster is fully digital and the car has up to 12 driver assistance systems. Among them, the most notable are: lane departure warning, the rear-view camera and the Grip Control system. All the driver aids can easily be switched off from the infotainment system.