New Citroen C4 crosses over

The new Citroen C4 has landed in Australia and is now available in a single Shine specification priced at $37,990 plus on-road costs.

That makes the replacement for the short-lived Citroen C4 Cactus and the previous C4 hatch a rival for premium variants of mainstream models in the sub-$40,000 small SUV segment and almost as pricey as compact luxury SUVs like the Lexus UX and MINI Countryman.

But Citroen Australia says the third-generation C4 is so broad in its appeal that it has no direct competitors, and that its extensive standard equipment list and generous aftersales provisions make its circa-$40K on-road price strong value.

First revealed in Europe in mid-2020, the 2021 Citroen C4 Shine is backed by the French brand’s five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, five-year roadside assistance plan and five-year Service Price Promise program.

With service intervals of 15,000km or 12 months, the capped-price service cost over five years is $2485 and the only options are a sunroof ($1490) and metallic paint ($690).

The latter comprises Iceland Blue, Pulse Orange, Elixir Red, Steel Grey, Platinum Grey and Obsidian Black. Polar White is the only standard paint colour.

Sitting alongside the C3 hatch and C5 Aircross medium SUV as only the third model in Citroen Australia’s current model range, the new C4 could be joined by the all-electric e-C4 at some point.

The new Citroen C5 X flagship is also confirmed for Australia, due in the third quarter of next year.

For now, the sole engine choice for the C4 is the French car-maker’s 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol PureTech 155 engine (without the idle-stop system fitted in Europe), producing 114kW of power at 5500rpm and 240Nm of torque at 1750rpm – the highest outputs available globally.

It’s matched to an Aisin eight-speed automatic transmission.

The new C4 is the first Citroen in Australia to be fitted with the Stellantis group’s new toggle-switch transmission selector on the centre console, which also houses an electric parking brake control and Eco, Normal and Sport drive mode selector.

Combined fuel consumption is 6.1L/100km, the claimed 0-100km/h acceleration time is 8.5sec and the 4335mm-long, 1237kg (tare) small SUV has a cargo capacity of 380 litres, extending to 1250L with the rear seats folded.

Standard safety systems include Active Safety Brake autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with day/night pedestrian, cyclist and vehicle detection at speeds between 30-80km/h, forward collision warning, blind spot monitoring, active lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, driver attention alert, speed limiter, six airbags and a reversing camera with top-down 360-degree view.

Also including Collision Risk Alert, Post Collision Safety and ‘extended’ traffic sign recognition (which displays speed limits as well as stop signs and one-way streets on the instrument panel), there’s a total of 18 driver aids – but no rear or junction AEB.

The new C4 is also yet to receive an ANCAP safety rating.

The generous standard equipment list extends to 18-inch alloys wheels (with a space-saver spare), ultra-thin frameless 10-inch touch-screen infotainment system with 3D navigation, (wired) Apple CarPlay and Android Auto plus DAB+ digital radio, a 5.5-inch digital instrument cluster, colour head-up display and heated Comfort front seats with driver’s massage function.

There’s also ambient LED lighting, dual-zone climate control, powered/heated/folding side mirrors, tinted rear side windows, chromed window frames, auto wipers, courtesy puddle lights, electrochromatic interior mirror, power windows/mirrors, height/reach-adjust steering wheel and, for rear occupants, air vents and USB outlets.

The comfort-focused cabin features a Hype Black interior colour scheme comprising Black Siena leather with Zephyr Grey stitching and black leather-effect textile, plus gloss black accents including for the paddle shifters.

A relatively long 2670mm wheelbase allows a class-leading 198mm of rear legroom, while 16 storage solutions totalling 39 litres include large door pockets, under-console compartment and a unique front passenger dashboard tray with iPad/tablet holder.

Citroen says practicality is also aided by a high hip point, physical HVAC controls and the brand’s trademark Airbumps on all four doors, while Progressive Hydraulic Cushions (stop bushings at both ends of the suspension stroke) are claimed to deliver a “magic carpet ride”.

Outside, there are standard LED headlights, daytime running lights, fog lights (with cornering function) and tail-lights, plus matt black lower skirts for the body-coloured bumpers, Obsidian Black wing mirrors and chromed exhaust outlets with gloss black trim surround.