As more buyers embrace fuel efficient, low emission diesels, mid size hatchbacks like Citroën's C4 2.0 HDi offer exceptionally strong performance, luxury car equipment levels and superb comfort, all for the price of a base model Commodore or Falcon.
Value for money
Pricing
The Citroën C4 HDi sits at the top of the five door C4 range. It's priced at $35,990. A face-lifted model, with new petrol engines, is due in 2009, but this 2.0 litre turbodiesel/six speed sequential auto drivetrain will continue.
Expect prices on the C4 to be negotiable as a result of the upcoming model upgrade.
Standard equipment
Stability control, six airbags, 17 inch alloy wheels with 205/55 tyres, dual zone automatic air, power windows and mirrors, a five stack CD in the centre armrest, rain sensing wipers, velour upholstery, remote central locking with deadlocking, automatic headlights with height adjustment and a remote on/off function to guide you to or from your car at night.
Options
Leather upholstery $3500; full length glass sunroof $1500; metallic paint $700.
Warranty
Three years/100,000 kilometres.
Retained value
The 2.0HDi was only released this year, so it has no resale history yet.
Design and function
Ergonomics
The driver's seat (with optional leather and power adjustment on the test car) is firmer than the usual French chair, though still luxuriously padded, comfortable and supportive. Long travel, a height adjuster and a height/reach adjustable wheel, make it easy to tailor the driving position for all physiques.
Rear vision is slightly restricted by the thick rear pillars and narrow window.
Although most of the glove box is occupied by the fuse box, there's plenty of other storage, including big door bins, a sunglasses holder and several small open and lidded bins, all lined.
Indicator lights are provided so you can check if the kids have buckled up in the back seat.
The steering wheel turns on a fixed hub. This allows the shape of the airbag to be optimised for maximum protection, because no matter what the driver is doing with the wheel the position of the airbag will be constant.
The fixed hub also carries frequently used switches, including cruise control (which incorporates a speed limiter), audio, trip computer and airconditioning recirculation. Again, the fact that the switches do not move with the wheel, as on other cars, makes it easier to locate and hit the one you want with your thumb.
Instead of analogue instruments, the C4 has a wide digital display high in the centre of the deep, flowing dash. It has solved the problem of poor legibility, particularly in bright light, by making the display translucent, using the sun itself as the light source. It is clear and easy to read, day or night, when it can be dimmed to enhance exterior vision.
However the display housing itself does reflect in the windscreen on clear days, especially on winter mornings when the sun is at a low angle.
The C4 wouldn't be a real Citroën without an eccentric touch. This comes in the form of a small recess beside a central dash air vent, into which you insert an air freshener cartridge - or, as the box says, "Parfumeur d'Ambience."
Technical details
- The C4 is made in France
- The 2.0 litre HDi engine is also used in the Peugeot 308. Citroën and Peugeot are jointly owned
- It produces 100kW of power at 4000rpm and up to 340Nm (via an overboost function which adds 20Nm) of torque at 2000rpm
- A six speed sequential automatic transmission is standard
- Suspension is MacPherson strut front/torsion beam axle rear
- Brakes are discs with ABS and stability control
- 17 inch alloy wheels are fitted with 205/50 Michelin tyres
- Weight is 1491kg.
Safety
The C4 scores five stars out of five for adult occupant protection in EuroNCAP testing. It also achieved three stars out four for pedestrian protection, and four stars out of five for child protection.
Security
The C4 scored 75.5 points out of a possible 120 in NRMA Insurance's security ratings.
Space and practicality
Most adults can travel comfortably in the back seat, which is properly contoured for two and has an angled, supportive cushion. Storage includes front seat back nets and a box in the centre armrest. Leg room can be tight if the front seat occupants use most of their seat travel. Wide opening doors make it easy to climb in and out. Two child restraint anchors are on the seat back.
There's average floor space in the boot but the tapered roof severely restricts overall capacity. It is easily extended to an almost flat 1.45 metres with the 60/40 split fold rear seat back. A full size spare on a steel wheel is under the floor.
Build and finish quality
No problems on the test car this time. On a previous C4 tested the full length glass roof cracked and the airconditioning fan was noisy. Some of the plastic edges are a bit rough, but overall the cabin has a beautiful spacious, premium feel. In terms of reliability and quality, though, French cars rate poorly in independent owner surveys.
On the road
Fuel efficiency
- European standard test averages: 5.1L/100km highway; 9.1L/100km city
- CO2 emissions are 175g/km
- The C4 2.0 HDi scores three and a half stars out of five in the Green Vehicle Guide.
Performance
When it comes to strong, tractable real world performance, that works equally well on the highway or in the city, with single figure economy and low emissions as well, a 2.0 litre turbodiesel matched with a six speed sequential automatic is arguably the pick of current drivetrains on the market.
Many European makers now offer it, and we'll see more in coming years.
The Citroën version is markedly superior in performance, refinement and economy to the 103kW, 2.0 litre four cylinder petrol engine alternative, which is matched with a four speed automatic.
The six speed helps minimise any turbo lag and, under acceleration, keeps the diesel engine spinning in its optimum 2000-3500 range. When cruising, or trickling along in the traffic, its performance is effortless and refined. The automatic does its job without you noticing, which is as high a complement as you can give an automatic transmission. You can shift gears yourself if you like, but it's unnecessary.
Handling, braking and ride
Dynamics are acceptable, though the C4 is far from sporty. The 2.0 HDi was more confident and secure than the 2.0 litre petrol model, tested in 2005 on the same rough country roads. The HDi's damping felt heavier - perhaps to compensate for the fact that it weighs 200kg more than the petrol model - and it has 17 inch alloys instead of 16s (with 205/55 tyres), so roadholding and body control were much improved and the ride was noticeably more comfortable, compliant and quiet.
In this regard, the C4 HDi really does feel like a larger luxury car.
The steering is direct, accurate and beautifully weighted, with less kickback than previously. The brakes are fine.
Smoothness and quietness
Excellent, as a Citroën should be. Some tyre noise was apparent on the earlier model, but it wasn't an issue on the 2.0 HDi.
Summary
If you're downsizing from a large luxury car or SUV, and you're looking for comparable comfort and refinement in a smaller, more fuel efficient package, without sacrificing real world performance, you might find a lot to like in the Citroën C4 2.0 HDi.
The writer of this report does not necessarily represent the views of the NRMA and this report is provided for you as an alternative to our own NRMA car reviews.
The writer of this report does not necessarily represent the views of the NRMA and this report is provided for you as an alternative to our own NRMA car reviews.
