Citroen e-C4 review | a comfort-focused electric hatchback

Citroen's quirky and comfortable e-C4 offers and impressive amount of space and refinement for not a lot of money. The addition of a new, larger battery improves usability, but compared to rival cars the e-C4 doesn't quite offer the long-range option that some company car users may require.

Overview

The Citroen e-C4 is the electric version of the C4. It competes alongside models such as the MG 4 and VW ID3, offering a spacious and practical crossover bodystyle at an accessible price point.

The e-C4 is priced from £31,695, making one of the most affordable EVs currently on sale but still considerably more expensive than a petrol-powered Citroen C4.

To read our Citroen C4 review, click here.

It's well-suited to families, with seating for five and a large boot. The car sits somewhere between a conventional hatchback and an SUV. It’s not particularly tall, but it’s wrapped in black plastic cladding that protects the bodywork from dings and scratches.

Citroen offers two powertrain options to suit those that need a lower price point or a longer range. The model range is divided across three trim levels: You!, Max and e-Series.

Comfort and practicality

As a fully signed up member of Citroen’s Advanced Comfort Programme, the e-C4 benefits from super-comfy seats and a blissful ride.

The car remains quiet and unflustered on the move, ensuring passengers enjoy a smooth and relaxing ride.

There’s plenty of storage in the car, including a handy drawer above the glovebox as well as a tablet holder for the front passenger.

Boot space in the e-C4 is rated at 380 litres, exactly the same as a C4, and includes a useful underfloor storage compartment for the charging cable.

Safety and technology

Like the C4, the e-C4 is equipped with Citroen’s latest infotainment system software, which is a welcome step-up from what went before. Using a crisp 10-inch display, the system is slick to operate and easy to understand.

A separate climate control panel makes operation straightforward, without the need to jab at the screen while driving.

Top spec models are equipped with a surprisingly impressive Citroen Hi-Fi system.

All versions come with a lane keeping system, although we found it a bit intrusive and preferred to drive with it switched off.

Driveability and range

Citroen’s focus on comfort means the e-C4 favours ride quality over handling. That’s not to say the car is poor performer, though. It’s a compliant and well-judged car that only shows its flaws if you really push it.

Two powertrains are available, depending on the range and performance you require.

The entry level model uses a 50kWh battery and can travel 221 miles between charges. It develops 136PS.

A more powerful variant was added to the line-up this year. It uses a newer, 54kWh battery and a 156PS electric motor. This version has an official range of 260 miles.

In either guise, the e-C4 is an efficient EV. We’ve managed 3.2mi/kWh in the lower powered model, while the more potent one is even more efficient, managing 4.0mi/kWh.

In real world driving you can expect around 180 miles from the 136PS car and 220 miles from the 156PS car.

The performance difference between the two is negligible, with the more powerful car managing to reach 60mph in a fraction of a second faster. Not that flat-out acceleration is the point of the e-C4. It’s much happier cruising on the motorway or gliding along B roads.

Company car tax and running costs

The Citroen e-C4 makes a lot of sense as a company car, offering low running costs for both business and driver. The entry-level You! Trim is only available with the smaller battery option, while the Max variant - which comes with more with equipment for £34,635 – can only be paired with the larger battery.

The e-Series can be specified with either powertrain and would be our pick. It comes with an all-important heat pump and represents good value with prices starting at £35,795. The price jump for the larger battery is only £900.

Running costs are competitive when compared against the VW ID3 but, as with all cars in this segment, come nowhere close when compared to the MG4.

Charging times

3-pin plug: 23.75 hours

7kW wallbox: 7.5 hours

11kW AC (optional): 5 hours

100kW DC rapid: 26 mins (10-80%)