Name: Citroën C4 (2021 – present) | Expert Rating | The Car Expert
Item: Citroën C4
Rating: 64.0

Summary

The Citroën C4 is a medium-sized family car, which was unveiled in late 2020 and arrived in the UK in early 2021. It’s similar in size to a Volkswagen Golf or Ford Focus, although it’s more a liftback than a regular hatchback, and rides a bit higher like an SUV/crossover. So it’s certainly a bit different to its competitors.

Unusually, the C4 is available with a choice of petrol, diesel or electric power. This page only covers the conventional fossil-fuel models, and we have a separate page for the electric ë-C4 version.

The initial reviews for the C4 range have been generally positive, although not quite as strong as for the leading rivals in its class. It has been praised for its comfort and distinctive design, which is notably different from anything else in the mid-size family car sector.

An updated C4 family was announced in Autumn 2024, with the first cars expected to reach UK showrooms in Spring 2025. There will be the usual minor styling revisions and trim level tweaks, but they’re fundamentally the same cars.

As of January 2025, the Citroën C4 holds a New Car Expert Rating of C, with a score of 64%. It achieves top marks for its low CO₂ emissions and its running costs are relatively low, but its safety rating is merely average and its reliability record is poor.

Key specifications

Body style: Five-door liftback
Engines: petrol, diesel
Price: From £19,495 on-road

Launched: Winter 2020/21
Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: Spring 2025

Image gallery

Media reviews

Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Auto Express+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“With eye-catching looks and a focus on comfort, the Citroen C4 is an appealing choice, but skilled rivals offer a more complete package.” (Ellis Hyde)
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Model reviewed: 1.2-litre petrol automatic 155 Shine Plus
Score: 7 / 10
“While the e-C4 grabs headlines, this new petrol unit shows lots of appeal, too. The power boost makes the Citroën C4 a lively option that gives a little flexibility to those looking for a comfortable family hatchback. It’s just a shame that one or two negatives take the shine off the overall package.”
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Model reviewed: 1.2-litre petrol automatic 130hp Shine Plus
Score: 7 / 10
“Our rating reflects the fact that the higher-end, automatic car we’ve driven here isn’t likely to be the sweet spot in the new Citroën C4 range; for that, you’d save the cash and stick to a manual gearbox, or choose the electric version as a company car and revel in the tax breaks.”
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Auto Trader+

Model reviewed: Hatchback
Score: 7 / 10
“With new trim options, and Citroën’s continued focus on comfort, the new C4 is a big improvement over its predecessor.”
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Business Car+

Model reviewed: 1.2-litre petrol automatic Shine Plus
Score: 7 / 10
“In summary, the new Citroen C4 is a good replacement for the old C4 and Cactus. For those who need to travel reasonably long distances on a regular basis – but still frequent towns and cities – the petrol C4 range is a compelling choice.”
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Car+

Model reviewed: 1.2-litre petrol automatic
Score: 8 / 10
“The new Citroën C4 is as supple as a Pilates teacher, refreshingly putting comfort above all else. It’s nicely equipped and competitively priced.”
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Car Keys+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“To those that criticise cars for being too similar these days, the Citroen C4 exists to prove this is definitely not the case. It really is a breath of fresh air in the crossover and hatchback segments, with its bold design, pleasing interior and impressive levels of comfort.”
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Carbuyer+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8.2 / 10
“The Citroen C4 is a comfortable family hatchback with modern, fashionable styling.” (Ben Custard)
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Carwow+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“The new Citroen C4 is part hatchback, part crossover, and offers funky styling, loads of kit and a comfortable drive.”
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Company Car Today+

Model reviewed: 1.2-litre petrol manual Shine
Score: 8 / 10
“A striking and distinctive new take on the regular lower medium hatchback, the Citroën C4 is comfortable and practical, as well as offering a good range of powertrains.”
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Daily Mail+

Model reviewed: 1.2-litre petrol automatic Shine Plus
“The new Citroen C4 certainly looks the part and should give the rival VW Golf and Ford Focus a run for their money.”
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Daily Mirror+

Model reviewed: 1.2-litre petrol automatic Shine Plus
Score: 10 / 10
“The new Citroen C4 ticks a lot of boxes and looks refreshingly different. It works particularly well as an electric car but is still a great choice in petrol. And diesel offers a possible 70mpg. Whatever the powertrain, the new C4 marks another step forward for Citroen.”
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Eurekar+

“The new Citroen C4 is a very smooth operator.”
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Fleetworld+

Score: 8 / 10
“Nothing like as conventional as rivals such as Ford’s Focus and Vauxhall’s Astra. However, if you value comfort then the C4 is definitely worthy of keen consideration.”
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Heycar+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“Citroen doesn’t really sell a conventional rival to the likes of the Ford Focus and Volkswagen Golf. The dull-as-dishwater Citroen C4 was axed in 2018, leaving the quirky C4 Cactus to cater for that market. But now, the C4 returned for 2021 and it’s certainly very different to its staid predecessor. “
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Honest John+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“If you’re looking for a car that’ll turn heads in the Tesco car park, the Citroen C4 is a much better choice than more conventional alternatives. It’s not much of a compromise, either, with a decent cabin and frugal petrol and diesel engines.”
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Parkers+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8.2 / 10
“Distinctive hatchback majors on comfort.”
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The Sunday Times+

Model reviewed: Petrol C4 and electric ë-C4 combined review
Score: 6 / 10
“The petrol Citroën C4 is a little floaty over bumpier roads, and our test car revealed vibrations on some country lanes that become really quite unpleasant, to the extent that it felt like there was a flat spot on a tyre. The ë-C4 on the other hand, had no such issues.”
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Top Gear+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“Citroen C4 hatch isn’t like all the rest and plays big on comfort. Plus, it’s not a crossover.”
Read review

Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 4 stars
Date tested: May 2021
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 80%
Child protection: 83%
Vulnerable road users: 57%
Safety assist: 63%

The Citroën C4 was crash-tested by Euro NCAP in May 2021 and awarded a four-star safety rating. In most areas the car performed well, although not as well in every test as the best performers, hence the four-star rating. The main concern of testers was that the autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system did not recognise pedestrians well enough in all scenarios.

This rating score also applies to the ë-C4 electric model.

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

As of January 2025, the Citroën C4 has not been tested by Green NCAP.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

Total claims: 155
Average repair cost: £418.74
Last updated: October 2024

Reliability score

All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for extended car warranty claims

The Citroën C4 has a poor reliability record, according to workshop and warranty data provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our partners at MotorEasy. This score applies to both the current model C4 and to previous (pre-2021) generations.

The most commonly reported problems relate to the engine, with an average repair bill of more than £500. Gearbox repairs are considerably more expensive, with an average bill of £1,200, but thankfully these have been quite rare to date.

Running cost rating

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Fuel consumption	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	53 mpg	B	45 – 62 mpg	A – C
Diesel models	61 mpg	A	53 – 69 mpg	A – B

CO₂ output	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	126 g/km	A	107 – 135 g/km	A – A
Diesel models	129 g/km	A	113 – 129 g/km	A – A

Insurance group	Average	Score	Variation	Score
All models	19	A	13 – 22	A – A

Service and maintenance	Cost	Score
Year 1	£171	A
Year 2	£493	A
Year 3	£778	A
Year 4	£1,022	A
Year 5	£1,396	B
Overall	£3,860	A

The Citroën C5 X should be a very affordable car to own and run, according to whole-life cost data provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our technical partner, Clear Vehicle Data.

Fuel economy is good on petrol models and even better on diesel-engined versions. Insurance costs are excellent, as are servicing and maintenance costs over the first five years.

For a car this size, you’ll struggle to find any petrol or diesel car that’s cheaper to live with than a Citroën C4.