I suggest not swinging for a long time, but starting the new year quickly! However, this can be done quite gently and comfortably – thanks to the soft and comfortable Citroen C4 X, which became the first test hero in 2024. What else does the car have to offer? Let’s use the Citroen C4 X crossover to get to know it and the Citroen C4 model lineup in general. Here we go!
Design: sedan, but not very traditional
But the automotive world has already known such crossovers – for example, the Volvo S60 Cross Country or Renault Logan Stepway. However, this format is still quite rare, and therefore is perceived as original and unconventional. So, we take a traditional sedan, and then raise it slightly above the road and add plastic protective covers – like parts from the world of crossovers.
This is exactly how the Citroen C4 X is made, combining a separate trunk, a good ground clearance of 156 mm, and notable plastic protection on the sills and wheel arches. However, the Citroen C4 crossover hatchback was created using a similar recipe, so a direct comparison is inevitable. So what’s the difference? Of course, in design and size!
The Citroen C 4 X crossover sedan is 4.6 meters long and 1.83 meters wide, its height is 1.525 meters, and the wheelbase reaches 2.67 meters. If we recall the Citroen C 4 hatchback, it differs significantly only in overall length (4.35 meters) and rear overhang; the rest of the dimensions are almost identical, with a difference of a few millimeters. It is clear that the increase in overall length and rear overhang was not for nothing: the Citroen C 4 X crossover has a separate trunk with its own lid, a new roof shape and rear windows, and original headlights. А що в салоні?
Ahead is a multilayer panel with numerous niches, a central 10-inch display, a digital cluster instead of the usual analog instruments, and a wide center console with an automatic joystick. A traditional description for an ordinary modern compact or middle class car. However, the Citroen C4 X sedan knows how to stand out. For example, with a tablet holder and a pull-out shelf. Or an additional niche hidden under the lifting lid. Or the traditional advanced climate control unit, where you can also find seat heating buttons. By the way, these seats are not ordinary seats, but are made using Citroen Advanced Comfort technology and offer an additional layer (+15 mm) of foam filling.
However, the description of the front end is the same for both cars – the Citroen C4 hatchback and Citroen C4 X sedan share the same front end. And what is behind? After all, the difference between the two models begins behind the middle roof pillar! There is a good amount of space in the back: there is enough legroom, headroom, plus a comfortable reclining rear seat backrest. But there are even more significant advantages: ventilation for passengers and even heated seats. However, the latter depends on the chosen interior trim option. Interestingly, there is also another trim option that includes a rear armrest, but then there will be no rear support. So it’s an either/or situation.
But here it is again: these are all common nuances for two cars at once – Citroen C4 and Citroen C4 X. Where are the differences in the sedan? Let’s go even further, to the trunk. And here the difference is already noticeable: in the case of the Citroen C4 X sedan, we have 510 liters of useful space (or even 1360 liters with the seats folded). In contrast, the Citroen C4 hatchback offers 380/1250 liters. Finally, the Citroen C4 X sedan wins significantly and shows its own advantages! But not for long, because the huge trunk space is not organized: it lacks various side niches and hooks for bags – all bags will “fly” around the trunk.
The front part of the cabin is definitely beautiful: soft materials, interesting design, many original solutions. And also very comfortable Citroen Advanced Comfort seats with an additional layer of foam and stitching in the form of “sausages”. There’s a good amount of space in the back, with ventilation and heating, but no armrest – you can get it when ordering another version of the cabin. The most important difference between the Citroen C 4 X sedan is hidden behind the 510-liter trunk lid. But it’s “just space” (sorry, but that’s the only way to describe it) and you’ll still need accessories to organize it – branded clips, a mesh with hooks, an organizer bag.
Technique: attention to detail
A load-bearing body, 4.35-4.6 meters long, independent MacPherson front suspension, semi-dependent rear suspension based on a transverse beam, a 1.5-liter turbodiesel engine and an 8-speed automatic, front-wheel drive, a 10-inch touchscreen display in the cabin and a digital instrument panel – what does all this remind you of? It seems like a typical description of a C-class car. For example, the Opel Astra hatchback has similar dimensions (we are comparing the hatchback body), engines, and interior technology.
And herein lies the main difference: Citroën C4 and Citroën C4 X are built on the SMR platform, which is usually the basis of B-class models (remember the DS 3 Crossback or Peugeot 2008) and not on the EMR2 platform, which is usually used for C-class models. However, the Citroën C4 and Citroën C4 X seem to have been artificially “stretched” to the dimensions of the C-class due to the increased wheelbase and body length.
If you look hard enough, you can find significant differences. For example, models based on the EMR2 platform offer powerful PHEV hybrids, versions with independent rear suspension and all-wheel drive, night vision and matrix headlights, and a large 12-inch digital instrument cluster. However, all these are “details for the knowledgeable”. And if you take a general look, the Citroen C4 hatchback and Citroen C4 X sedan seem to be just “players” of the usual C-class…
Speaking of details. One of the distinctive features of the Citroen C4 and Citroen C4 X is the PHC (Progressive Hydraulic Cushions) suspension, which uses special hydraulic dampers on the shock absorbers. The manufacturer promises that they can more comfortably dampen vibrations in compression/rebound modes, which can “loosen” the shock absorbers and suspension, making them softer.
It’s based on the SMR platform, but it’s not for nothing that I mentioned the Opel Astra: under the hood is a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder BlueHDI turbodiesel engine (130 hp and 300 Nm) paired with an 8-speed automatic, an alternative is a 1.2-liter 3-cylinder PureTech gasoline turbo engine (100 or 130 hp), and in the cabin you can find a 10-inch touchscreen display with familiar graphics and menus – as if everything is familiar! However, the details indicate that the Citroen C4 X sedan was made with a careful budget calculation: here is the digital instrument panel (but small); here is the projection display for the driver (but on a separate translucent panel instead of a more modern projection system on the windshield); here are the LED headlights with the ability to switch low beam/high beam (but these are not matrix headlights). The example of the Citroen C4 and Citroen C4 X is an example of how to create an almost C-class model based on the B-class.
Behind the wheel: soft suspension, excellent comfort
Yes, all these hints of comfort and softness were not for nothing! The Citroen C4 X really does ride very comfortably, as if it were floating on the roads – it completely removes small bumps and turns large ones into pleasant swaying waves. The RNS miracle suspension delivers on its promises by 100% and even more. Of course, this entails nodding during braking and noticeable body roll in corners, and in a tight turn, the elongated rear end and trunk give the impression of a backpack with stretched straps. However, as soon as you slow down and drive smoothly, you’ll forgive everything for the excellent comfort!
In addition, the Citroen C4 X sedan does not encourage active driving at all. The diesel engine and 8-speed automatic always promote leisurely starts from a standstill. Although during acceleration, torque is already “decisive”: overtaking on the highway is easy and relaxed. The steering wheel also turns easily and naturally. So much so that sometimes you lose track of the zero point. But (stop!) we are talking about an ordinary sedan “for every day”. And for it, the smoothness of the suspension and the softness of the engine/box/steering wheel reactions are of paramount importance compared to the ambitions of a novice racer, don’t you agree?
If the answer is yes, then we should also mention the good ground clearance and plastic protection around the perimeter of the body. Thanks to this, the Citroen C4 X sedan allows you to go on light off-road, overcome large pits in the yards of old houses, and be less afraid of icy snowdrifts. The comfort of the Citroen C4 X is not only in the suspension, but also on a mental level: to make the life of the driver and passengers easier and more convenient.
Comfortable suspension, unhurried turbo diesel engine, light steering wheel – all this promotes smooth driving; the DRIVE MODE system can only emphasize some features, but not change the character of the car completely. Acceleration to “hundreds” takes 10.6-10.9 seconds (depending on the selected mode and start method), which fits within the declared passport 10.8 seconds. The car also has a top speed of 210 km/h, fuel consumption in the city cycle of 5.7 liters, and fuel consumption in the country cycle of 4.2 liters. My own observations are similar: around the city, an average of about 6 liters, plus or minus 0.5 liters, depending on traffic jams and driving style; on the usual “highway hundred” it turns out about 4 liters. By the way, the cabin can be noisy under intense acceleration: the engine growls; although in terms of aerodynamics or tires, this is a fairly quiet car.
Cost: how much does the Citroen C4 X sedan cost (and the difference with the Citroen C4 hatchback)
The model range is opened by the Citroen C4 X 1.2 PureTech 100 MKP-6 FEEL sedan priced from 892 thousand UAH or $23 thousand. The equipment is not bad: ABS and ESP, cruise and climate control, six airbags/curtain airbags, power windows, rear parking sensors, rearview camera, heated front seats, 10-inch touchscreen display and six-speaker audio, 17-inch alloy wheels.
The next step is the Citroen C4 X 1.2 PureTech 130 automatic transmission-8 FEEL priced from UAH 0.95-1 million or $24.4-25.5 thousand (depending on the production date), as well as the Citroen C4 X 1.5 BlueHDi 130 automatic transmission-6 FEEL priced from UAH 1-1.05 million or $25.5-27 thousand (depending on the production date). Despite the same FEEL designation, these cars are worth noting not only for their more powerful engines and 8-speed automatic, but also for the appearance of the RNS suspension.
Finally, the top of the model lineup is the Citroen C4 X 1.2 PureTech 130 ACP-8 SHINE sedans priced from UAH 1.04-1.1 million or $26.7-28 thousand (depending on the production date), as well as the Citroen C4 X 1.5 BlueHDi 130 ACP-6 SHINE priced from UAH 1.08-1.15 million or $27.7-30 thousand (depending on the production date). The SHINE package includes the following: Citroen Advanced Comfort heated front/rear seats, heated steering wheel, Safety or Safety 1 packages (lane control, emergency braking, sign recognition, etc.), front and rear parking sensors, Head-Up Display projection, ECO LED headlights with adaptive high beam, Silver Gray decor in the front bumper and doors, tinted rear window, etc.
Again: talking about the Citroen C4 X sedan, it is impossible not to mention the Citroen C4 hatchback. The difference in design and construction is clear: different rear roof pillars and side windows, original lights and trunk lid. By the way, even though the trunk itself is smaller (as I already mentioned, 380 liters), it is more convenient to use: a larger lid provides better access and there are hooks for packages. Again, pay attention to the details: the dual exhaust means a 1.2-liter gasoline engine; black glossy handles and inserts around the fog lamps mean FEEL equipment; the equipment also affects the finishing of the seats. These features (engine/exhaust/seats) are the same for the Citroen C4 and Citroen C4 X; the overall range of engines and equipment is also identical for the two models. Therefore, a direct comparison is acceptable: the Citroen C4 hatchback is somewhat more affordable than the Citroen C4 X sedan – depending on the specific version, the difference can reach about 20 thousand UAH.
Results of the Citroen C4 X test drive (and thoughts on the Citroen C4 in general)
An interesting concept has given us an interesting car. Note that I don’t say “perfect”, I say “interesting”. First of all, the idea of “growing” a larger C-class model from the B-class platform and then adding cross-hints is interesting. This is how the Citroen C4 hatchback was created, which is trying to create a worthy competition for traditional C-class cars. It is inferior in terms of equipment and “high” technologies, but is justified by a slightly lower price at the expense of simple versions.
Secondly, if this is not enough, the car’s position can be supported by expanding the range of bodies – this is how the Citroen C4 X sedan appeared! Again: I’m not saying that the car is perfect, but its appearance and positioning are quite interesting. Yes, I have some comments on the model: I would like to see a more significant gain for rear passengers (increased wheelbase, armrests, etc.) and better organization of the large trunk. However, in terms of its positioning, the Citroen C4 X meets two requests at once: it is designed for fans of classic sedans, while adding an unusual cross-format. And of course: any of the car variants, either the Citroen C4 hatchback or the Citroen C4 X sedan, are ready to give you good comfort and softness while driving to calm you down. Which is not superfluous in our turbulent times.
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