The citroën c4 in the everyday test: is the legendary comfort still there?

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Citroën C4

Homage to legendary times

Citroën deliberately does many things differently. This is exactly why the traditional car manufacturer still has many fans today. With the C4, the French are once again showing a completely unique approach to how a compact car can look and drive.

The Citroën C4 with a uniquely designed front.

People with back problems swear by Citroën. That was a common statement, at least in the 1990s. Because the French car manufacturer consistently continued the legacy of the legendary DS and continued to install hydropneumatics in some models. A complex system that controlled the suspension and damping via oil and air pressure – and thus allowed the car to roll exceptionally gently, even on bad roads.
The brand’s new C4 with double angle no longer has hydropneumatics. Nevertheless, the 1322 kg light Frenchman springs uniquely fine – especially for a vehicle in the compact class. Even when the ground is really rough: unclean manhole covers, potholes and nasty speed bumps. Everything literally disappears under Citroën‘s “flying carpet”. The secret lies in the “progressive hydraulic stops” of the chassis. Instead of rigid stops, which abruptly limit the maximum spring deflection when the maximum spring travel is reached, flexible bearings are used, which allow the suspension to become harder and harder towards the stop without limiting the suspension with a blunt impact. The unpleasant “bottoming out” of the suspension is thus avoided, springs and shock absorbers can be tuned softer. This technology originally comes from rallying, but can make just as much sense in a road car as you can tell from the first few meters with the idiosyncratic designed compact French car.
You have to accept that the C4 seems a little less agile and light-footed on routes with tight corners than some of its competitors. But that’s not disturbing, because the C4 is the comfortable glider among compact cars. The steering via the handy steering wheel is sufficiently precise and pleasantly smooth, which also fits into this image, as do the wide and comfortably upholstered seats.

The Citroën C4 in the everyday test: is the legendary comfort still there?-there

The roof line is reminiscent of a coupe.

The test car is powered by a 1.5-liter diesel engine with 130 hp and a powerful 300 Nm of torque, which delivers its power to the front wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission. This makes the C4 motorized very appropriately, especially if you often travel long distances. With 5.2 l/100 km, the Frenchman was only slightly above the 5 l/100 km announced by the factory, which is fine given the winter tires fitted. In addition, the diesel is pleasantly elastic and smooth-running on the motorway. Only the slightly higher wind noise is noticeable over longer distances. Otherwise, the C4 absolutely lives up to the brand motto “advanced comfort“, especially since the space available on the rear seats is suitable for long journeys; only for very tall people does it get a little cramped at the head, as the roof line slopes backwards. With a volume of 380 to 1250 liters, the trunk is still decent for this class.

The Citroën C4 in the everyday test: is the legendary comfort still there?-everyday

The C4 convinces with good suspension comfort.

The wide range of driver assistance systems in the C4 is also part of the high level of comfort. Parking is supported by a 360-degree camera with parking sensors, thanks to keyless access, the key can always remain in your pocket and modern LED headlights ensure good visibility even at night. In addition, the C4 also offers amenities such as a head-up display and a digital speedometer unit. The options for personalizing the view are limited here, but the most important information is always easy to read. The touchscreen navigation system also seems rather pragmatic, but can be operated easily and clearly. And above all, the smartphone can be integrated via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

The Citroën C4 in the everyday test: is the legendary comfort still there?-legendary

Interior with comfortable seats.

Prices for the Citroën C4 start at 22,400 francs. The tested diesel with an automatic transmission is available from 35,900 francs – and remains under 40,000 francs even with the few extras that are subject to a surcharge. So even without back problems, there are a few reasons to take a closer look at the compact Frenchman.

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