Citroen e-C4 X review

Citroen e-C4 X review

We road test the stylish new four-door version of the pure electric Citroen e-C4…

The “affordable” end of the EV market is becoming extremely competitive – and Citroen is up for the fight.

Starting with the bargain basement Ami city runabout, through to the e-C4 hatchback, and up to the e-Berlingo and e-SpaceTourer people carriers, there’s plenty of choice from the French manufacturer in the sub-£40,000 category.

The latest model is the new e-C4 X, which isn’t just a saloon version of the e-C4. Sure, there’s some déjà vu initially because it looks identical from the front.

Citroen e-C4 X review

However, it’s new from the rear doors back, and unlike its sibling, it’s only available as an EV (no petrol or diesel engines).

And rather than just stick the boot in (remember the Vauxhall Belmont, Ford Orion and Volkswagen Jetta?), Citroen has given the e-C4 X a sleek derriere that’s much sexier than the hatchback.

The marketing blurb claims it “combines the elegant silhouette of a fastback with the modern look of an SUV”. I wouldn’t go that far, but it certainly has added kerb appeal.

The Citroen e-C4 X is around 240mm longer than the e-C4  cargo space is larger too (up from 380 litres to 510 litres). There’s also a decent amount of room for passengers in the rear seats, and if you need more load space, the rear seats can be folded flat to create an area of 1,360 litres.

Citroen e-C4 X review

Other than that, the e-C4 and e-C4 X are very similar, in terms of spec and driving experience.

Both are only available with a 50kWh battery mated to a 134bhp electric motor with drive via the front wheels. In theory this provides a range of up to 222 miles and delivers a 0-62mph time of 9.5 seconds.

You get 100kW DC rapid charging, meaning a 10-80% top-up can be completed in 30 minutes when connected to a compatible public rapid charger. Or to put it another way, hook it up to a 100kW charger and it will add 59 miles of range in 10 minutes.

Naturally, it will also fully charge overnight at home using a wallbox, and regenerative braking will recover energy otherwise wasted when slowing down or coasting.

Citroen e-C4 X review

There are three trim level available – Sense, Sense Plus and Shine.

Starting at £31,995, Sense kicks off the e-C4 X line-up. Offering the best value for money, it comes as standard with LED exterior lights, 18-inch alloy wheels, a 10-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, plus a 5.0-inch digital driver’s cluster, dual-zone climate control and rear parking sensors, plus safety essentials such as autonomous emergency braking (AEB) and lane-keep assist.

Next up is the mid-spec Shine (£33,995) which adds built-in sat nav, a head-up display, heated steering wheel, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring and a reversing camera.

Finally, range-topping Shine Plus (£34,495) gets Alcantara and leather effect upholstery, heated front seats and Safety Pack Plus with Highway Driver Assist (semi-autonomous driving capability).

Citroen e-C4 X review

Inside, the e-C4 X is comfortable, thanks to Citroen’s famed Advanced Comfort padded seats. Elsewhere, apart from the odd hard surface, the cabin is a pleasant place to be with a logical layout.

Thankfully, up front it hasn’t gone completely minimalist and still retains some buttons and dials for essentials. The infotainment touchscreen is much improved, but it still isn’t the slickest system out there.

I also wasn’t keen on the old school head-up display which projects info onto a plastic panel above the dashboard. It works well enough, but it was right in my line of vision.

Oh, and a special mention for a clever storage solution above the glovebox which allows your front-seat passenger to view a tablet device via a retractable holder fully integrated into the dashboard.

On the road, the Citroen e-C4 X is much the same as its hatchback sibling. In other words, it won’t put a smile on your face, but it delivers a smooth ride (though “magic carpet” is pushing it) and impressive cabin refinement.

Citroen e-C4 X review

It doesn’t offer gut-wrenchingly fast acceleration like some EVs, but it’s eager enough for everyday driving.

There are three drive modes (Eco, Normal and Sport), but frankly Normal hits the spot. Eco is fine for pottering around town, while Sport adds a little zip. However, push it on more challenging corners and there’s a fair amount of body roll, so the e-C4 is best enjoyed at a more leisurely pace.

Elsewhere, light steering and a relatively high driving position add to the easy on-the-road experience. It would just be nice if the brakes were a little more progressive.

Citroen e-C4 X review

Real-world range is likely to be closer to 200 miles, but if you can live with that then the e-C4 X is a welcome addition to the affordable EV scene.

I suspect it may prove to be popular with taxi drivers too, because that boot can consume a serious amount of luggage. However, families might prefer the wider hatchback opening of the e-C4.

Rivals include the MG4 EV, Peugeot e-2008, Kia Niro EV, Ora Funky Cat and Renault Megane E-Tech.

Verdict: Sensible, smooth, safe, comfortable and practical, the all-electric Citroen e-C4 X’s distinctive design delivers a fastback-style rear end with the boot of a large saloon.

Citroen UK

School runs are smiles cheaper for EV drivers

Gareth Herincx

3 days ago
Auto News

Citroen e-C4 - school run

Families owning electric vehicles can complete up to two full weeks of school runs on a single charge, according to new research by Citroen UK.

Ahead of schools returning in September, 2,000 parents were surveyed and the average school run is 10.4 miles (5.2 miles each way).

With a WLTP-certified range of 219 miles, parents driving a Citroen e-C4 EV can complete up to 20 school runs on a single charge, saving more than £26 in the process.

When charged overnight using a 7.4kW home wallbox on an EV electricity tariff, a single charge for e-C4 Electric can cost as little as £3.75, while on a standard tariff the same charge will cost £14.

Using a comparable petrol-powered C4 would cost £30.12 to cover the same distance, meaning that parents could save up to £26.37 every two weeks.

The research also found that parents drive their children to school on average 3.5 times per week, with public transport, lifts from other parents, walking and cycling making up the rest of the trips.

Although the average school run was found to be a 10.4-mile round trip, 7% of the respondents reported having to cover more than 30 miles during the school run.

No vehicle idling sign

Citroen also asked whether vehicle emissions outside schools were a concern for parents. Unsurprisingly, 19% of parents said they were strongly concerned and 41% were somewhat concerned.

Previous research carried out in London found children are exposed to five times more air pollution on the school run than when they are in school.

“Doing the school run in an electric car not only reduces local air pollution but also helps families save on day-to-day running costs,” said Eurig Druce, Citroen UK’s Managing Director.

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Citroen C5 X review

Citroen C5 X

We road test the distinctive new Citroen C5 X – a big car with an identity crisis?

The all-new C5 X marks Citroen’s return to the ‘D-segment’ – automotive industry speak for the size of vehicle next up from the ‘C-segment’ (eg VW Golf, Ford Focus).

An intriguing mix of hatchback, estate and SUV, its competitors include everything from the Volkswagen Arteon and Peugeot 508 fastbacks, to the Skoda Superb estate and even the Kia Sportage crossover.

The C5 X is a car that dares to be different, and for that alone, Citroen deserves praise.

Citroen C5 X

Around the same size as a Volkswagen Passat, the C5 X initially has the look of a sleek hatchback. Study it closer and there’s an estate-like rear overhang, while the raised ride height hints at a crossover.

The result is unmistakably a Citroen. A handsome, aerodynamic car with an impressively low drag coefficient of just 0.29.

Citroen even claims the newcomer pays homage to the game-changing CX and iconic XM, but that might be stretching it a little.

Why? Because apart from its distinctive design and affordable starting price (£27,790), it’s a fairly conventional large family car.

Citroen C5 X

The C5 X is offered with a choice of either 1.2 or 1.6-litre petrol engines producing 128bhp and 178bhp respectively, or a 222bhp plug-in hybrid system. It’s only available with front-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic gearbox, and there’s no diesel option.

The entry-level petrol 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine powers the C5 X from standstill to 62mph in 10.4 seconds and it’s capable of up to 48.6mpg, while CO2 emissions are as low as 136g/km.

The more powerful four-cylinder 1.6-litre unit can manage up to 43.9mpg, CO2 emissions are 147g/km, and it reduces the 0-62mph sprint time to 8.8 seconds.

Combining the 1.6 petrol unit with an 81.2kWh electric motor and 12.4kWh lithium ion battery, the range-topping plug-in hybrid (PHEV) is the quickest model with a 0-62mph time of 7.8 seconds.

Citroen C5 X

More importantly, it offers up to 37 miles of electric-only driving and CO2 emissions are only 30g/km, unlocking substantial tax savings for business users.

In other words, if your daily commute is around the 25-mile mark (in line with the UK average) and you can charge overnight at home (it takes less than two hours to recharge from 0% to 100%), your visits to the petrol station could be few and far between.

You sit lower down in the Citroen C5 X than most SUVs, yet higher than a hatchback or estate, and the overall feel is more conventional car than crossover.

Soft and supportive, Citroen’s Advanced Comfort seats are standard across the range and a big bonus, especially on longer journeys.

Citroen C5 X

Elsewhere, the cabin isn’t quite as plush as we’d hoped, but we can’t fault the crisp, intuitive infotainment system. The entry-level Sense Plus trim comes with a 10.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, while both higher trim levels (Shine and Shine Plus) get a 12.0-inch.

The infotainment system features Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, DAB radio, Bluetooth and built-in sat nav, while Citroen has thankfully left the heating/cooling controls as a separate entity below the touchscreen and vents – with buttons and dials.

Perhaps most impressively, there’s a real feeling of space inside the cabin – front and back. This is no surprise, because the CX 5 is made in China (and sold there too) and if there’s one thing the Chinese like, it’s rear passenger space.

Additionally, boot capacity is 545 litres, expanding to an estate-like 1,640 litres with the rear seats down. Just to give you an idea of the space available, it’s possible to fit a washing machine in sideways without flipping the back seats, though it’s worth noting that the PHEV’s capacity is reduced to 485/1,580 litres because the battery takes up some space.

Citroen C5 X

We tested both petrols and the PHEV, and while offering a lot of car for the money, the thrummy little three-pot 1.2 in the entry-level model has to be worked quite hard to lug around this relatively large car.

We’d advise paying the extra for the turbocharged 1.6, which is swifter, pulls better and more refined.

If money is no object, then go for the plug-in hybrid, which offers the most relaxed driving experience overall and suits the C5 X best.

There’s more power on tap, and naturally, it’s hushed in all-electric mode, while the switch from petrol to hybrid and vice versa is seamless. The only slight issue is the eight-speed automatic gearbox which is sometimes a little hesitant to kick down.

Citroen C5 X

Citroen’s ‘Advanced Comfort Suspension with Progressive Hydraulic Cushions’ system is standard across the range with the French company claiming it provides a ‘magic carpet’-like ride.

What’s more, the PHEV versions get the upgraded Advanced Comfort Active Suspension, which features automatic electronically controlled damping.

We wouldn’t go as far as ‘magic carpet’, but the ride is smooth and bump absorption is impressive. That said, on rougher surfaces, we were surprised how much road noise made its way into the cabin.

Considering it’s built more for comfort than performance, it handles well. It feels substantial, yet body lean is well controlled in faster corners and there’s decent grip.

Citroen C5 X

The steering is light and it’s easy to manoeuvre thanks to all-round parking sensors and a rear-view camera, even if visibility isn’t best-in-class.

Which brings us to the sharply raked rear window, complete with two spoilers. It may look cool, but there’s no rear wiper. We drove the C5 X during a heatwave, so we couldn’t test it in the rain. We’ll reserve judgement for now, but we fear this could prove to be an issue on motorways, for instance, when rain and dirty spray is the order of the day.

Ultimately, the C5 X is at its best cruising along while you and your passengers enjoy the smooth ride in your comfy seats.

Verdict: The all-new Citroen C5 X is a breath of fresh air; offering elegance, comfort, refinement and serious value for money. If you can, stretch to the plug-in hybrid version for extra economy and low CO2 emissions.

Citroen UK

Citroën Ami voted ‘Best for Eco City Travel’

Home / Auto News / Citroën Ami voted ‘Best for Eco City Travel’

Gareth Herincx

2 days ago
Auto News

Citroen Ami

The cute Citroën Ami 100% electric mobility solution has been honoured in the Marie Claire Sustainability Awards 2022.

Technically a quadricycle, the two-seater is 100% recyclable, while 85% of its battery pack can be recycled and reused.

Priced from £7,695 and launching in the UK this summer, it produces zero emissions and it’s a perfect mode of transport for getting around cities and urban areas.

The Ami has a 5.5kWh battery that can be fully charged in just three hours. All versions feature a 6kW electric motor, enabling a top speed of 27.9mph, with a range of up to 46 miles.

Buyers can also run an Ami for just £19.99 per month on Personal Contract Purchase (PCP), over 24 months (with a customer deposit of just £2,369, plus an optional final payment to purchase the vehicle at the end of the contract).

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Gareth is a versatile journalist, copywriter and digital editor who’s worked across the media in newspapers, magazines, TV, teletext, radio and online. After long stints at the BBC, GMTV and ITV, he now specialises in motoring.

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Best beaches for electric car drivers

Gareth Herincx

2 days ago
Auto News

Citroen e-C4

England’s Top 10 beaches for drivers to visit in an EV this summer have been revealed in a new study by Citroën UK.

Roker and Seaburn Beaches on the North East coast are the most EV-friendly location for drivers looking for a seaside getaway.

To rank the top 10 beaches in England for electric vehicle drivers, Citroën compared how close the highest-rated beaches on TripAdvisor were to the 10 most populated cities in the country, with the requirement that they can be reached using the 219-mile all-electric range of the Citroën ë-C4.

Additional points were awarded according to the number of public charging points within a two-mile area for each beach.

Citroen e-C4

First place Roker and Seaburn beaches, in Tyne and Wear, can be reached from eight major cities using the 219-mile range of Citroën ë-C4, including Birmingham and Liverpool, while the local area contains 13 public electric vehicle chargers with speeds of up to 50kW.

For EV drivers based in London, second place Brighton beach is a short 53-mile drive away and offers more than 120 public chargers within a two-mile radius, including 20 fast chargers (7-22kW) and four rapid chargers (25kW and higher).

Third place Bournemouth Beach can be reached from six major cities and features the highest number of rapid chargers (five). With 100kW rapid charging capability, a 0-80% charge for Citroën ë-C4 can take as little as 30 minutes, while for those enjoying a whole day at the seaside, a full charge can be completed in 7.5 hours from a 7kW fast charger.

Thanks to lower running costs, Citroën UK claims ë-C4 EV drivers can enjoy an affordable seaside retreat, with the 400-mile round trip from Birmingham to Roker and Seaburn Beaches costing less than £30.

England’s Top 10 beaches for EV drivers

Ranking Cities accessible to beach within  ë-C4’s 219-mile range Total number of public chargers within 2 miles Number of fast chargers (7-22kW) within 2 miles Number of rapid chargers (25kW ) within 2 miles
Roker and Seaburn Beaches, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear 1st 8 13 10 3
Brighton Beach, East Sussex 2nd 5 123 20 4
Bournemouth Beach, Dorset 3rd 6 11 4 5
Hunmanby Gap, North Yorkshire 4th 8 1 1 0
Fistral Beach, Newquay, Cornwall 5th 1 6 5 1
Whitby Beach, Yorkshire Joint 6th 8 0 0 0
Weymouth Beach, Dorset Joint 6th 6 3 2 1
Sandbanks Beach, Poole, Dorset Joint 8th 6 0 0 0
Porthminster Beach, St Ives, Cornwall Joint 8th 1 3 3 0
Tunnels Beaches, Ilfracombe, Devon 10th 3 0 0 0

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