► The Citroen e-C4 line-up grows
► Now with 154bhp, longer range
► Comfortable, refined and distinctive
The all-electric Citroen e-C4 model range has been boosted by the arrival of the higher-powered, longer-range MPC version. But before you get too excited, it doesn’t get that much more performance and distance-covering ability – think of it as a gentle upgrade to get it closer to the best of the opposition.
That doesn’t stop us really liking the e-C4. We’ve always considered it a well-judged family hatchback that plays to the firm’s re-ignited interest in its history and heritage, while walking the line between hatchack and SUV rather better than some of the more obvious coupe-SUV opposition.
And what are the rivals? The almost ever-lasting Nissan Leaf hangs in there for similar money and even more outlandishness. Other options include the Vauxhall Mokka Electric, Peugeot e-2008 and Hyundai Kona Electric on the SUV side and Volkswagen ID.3, MG4 EV, Kia Niro EV and BYD Dolphin if you see the e-C4 as a hatchback.
What’s a Citroen e-C4?
It’s the battery version of the firm’s challenger in what used to be called the VW Golf class. As the design matures, it still cuts quite a dash on the road thanks to its striking styling. It successfully carries the flame of individuality that’s returned to the marque since the launch of the C4 Cactus. Its electric drivetrain delivers great refinement and high-speed serenity, thus delivering the most individual family car to wear the double-chevrons since the GS.
The e-C4 continues the Stellantis strategy of producing ICE and EV versions of the same car. On the road, it takes an expert eye to tell the difference between a C4 and e-C4, and it’s the same for its EMP2 sister cars, the Vauxhall Astra Electric and Peugeot e-308 and e-2008.
Battery, motors, range and charging
The Citroen e-C4 now comes in two flavours. The entry-level version has a 134bhp electric motor and 50kWh battery, with the latest addition to the range boosting that to 154bhp and 54kWh. Thankfully, they’ve not gone down the line of calling it ‘Long Range’ or ‘Performance’.
Its official WLTP range of 220 miles for the 50kWh version and 260 for the MPC are looking healthier than they were. They’re left behind by the new Hyundai Kona Electric (319 miles), Extended range MG4 EV (323 miles) Volkswagen ID.3 Pro S (347 miles), but competitive with other rivals that aren’t lugging around such large battery packs.
The good news is that the e-C4 supports up to 100kW rapid charging, allowing 80% of the battery to be charged in 30 minutes at a decent charging station. For home charging you get a Type 2 cable for free, allowing a regular 7.4kW charger to reach a 100% charge in seven hours and 30 minutes. Citroen makes great pains to tell us that its lighter battery pack and quick charging means it can cover long distances just as effectively as rivals boasting a greater range on paper.
What’s it like to drive?
First thing’s first, if you’re looking for more performance, the step-up to the 54kWh MPC might be a little disappointing. Take off and performance is lacking the impressive surge you get with many electric cars, but it’s smooth and linear in its delivery, feeling effortless, and it gets up to cruising speed quickly enough. Performance is adequate – 0-62mph comes up in 9.2 seconds (and 10.0 seconds for the 50kWh model) and maximum speed for both is 93mph.
But that’s not what the e-C4 is about. Get in and make yourself comfortable in its squidgy driver’s seat, and setting off like a bat out of hell will be the last thing on your mind. This is all about wafting and kicking back. Motorway refinement is especially impressive, with low levels of wind and road noise, while insulation from surface irregularities, such as potholes and broken tarmac, is also very effective.
In isolation, ride, handling and roadholding are as you’d expect for a marque that plays up its heritage for building smooth-riding cars. The steering is super-light and lacking in feel, but accurate and well-geared, while the brakes are better than most EVs in terms of pedal feel and modulation. It feels like it flattens bumps rather than ride them, and in corners understeer and bodyroll are present and correct but controlled effectively.
What’s it like inside?
The e-C4 still feels fresh and modern. It is powered by a simple-looking digital dash and responsive infotainment set-up. That does mean extensive use of the touchscreen for many of the car’s functions. There’s a shelf below for you to rest your hand on while on the move, and below that a row of physical buttons and knobs to operate the climate control.
As a family car, it works well, as there are plenty of nooks and crannies in the centre console, as well as easily-accessible USB sockets and storage bins between the seats, too. Citroen also points out a range of accessories and options that includes a wireless phone charger, head-up display and tablet stands for the front passenger.
As you’d expect, Citroen’s Advanced Comfort seats are successful in meeting their brief. They’re well-sized and generously padded with high-density foam that incorporates a thick 15mm layer of textured foam on the surface. They manage to be both soft and inviting and also supportive on the move – an ideal set-up.
Rear seat space is impressive, with plenty of knee and headroom – good considering its sloping roofline – but it feels comparible with a VW Golf rather than a more capacious ID.3. It has a 380-litre boot area with the seats up, with a twin-level boot floor for extra convenience.
Which versions are available?
There are three e-C4 models to choose from – Sense, E-Series and C-Series Edition, with the 54kWh and 154bhp motor only available on the latter model. All models get LED headlights, a 10.0-inch touchscreen, Automomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Lane Keeping Assist and Driver Attention Alert.
You can get a tablet computer holder for front seat passengers, LED interior lighting, a rear parking camera, and adaptive cruise control further up the range. A premium hi-fi system featuring uprated speakers and the addition of a subwoofer make it into the Shine Plus.
Verdict
The Citroen e-C4 is a likeable electric car that has had its appeal broadened slightly by the longer-range 54kWh model. Its 260-mile (call it 220 in the real world) range makes it much more usable than before – there’s nothing more frustrating than having a car so good on the motorway have a poor range between top-ups.
Which ever e-C4 you choose, it’s a distinctive-looking model that we love for its single-minded pursuit of maximising comfort, and eschewing the increasingly tiresome roadholding bias prevalent in a generation of unnecessarily Nurburgring-honed family cars.
The e-C4’s main rivals are the excellent Volkswagen ID.3 and the Hyundai Kona Electric, which go further. But the MG4 EV is the real eye-opener, offering so much kit, range and dynamics from a much lower starting price. Whether you put the e-C4 above those is down to how much you value comfort and serenity.
