Summary
The Citroën C4 Cactus was a medium-sized hatchback that sat somewhere between conventional family hatchbacks (like the Ford Focus or Volkswagen Golf) and similarly-sized SUV/crossover models (like the Nissan Qashqai or Ford Kuga).
The C4 Cactus arrived in the UK in the middle of 2014, and was widely praised for its unconventional design and focus on comfort ahead of performance. It received many awards here in the UK and abroad, but in 2018 it was restyled to look more conventional with exterior styling that was more in line with the rest of the Citroën family.
After its mid-life update, the Citroën C4 Cactus wasn’t rated as highly by the UK motoring media, many of whom lamented the shift away from the original car’s distinctiveness to a more mainstream budget offering. The updated model was praised for its comfort and added safety protection over the earlier model, but was criticised for average performance and uninvolving driving dynamics.
The C4 Cactus is unrelated to the current Citroën C4 that was launched in early 2021. Although Citroën says that the new C4 is not a direct replacement for the C4 Cactus, it is unlikely that the Cactus will be replaced.
As of January 2025, the Citroën C4 Cactus holds a Used Car Expert Rating of C, with a score of 66%. It scores top marks for its low running costs and CO2 emissions, but its reliability record is only average, its media review scores were poor and its safety score is now very poor compared to newer vehicles.
- Citroën C4 (2021 onwards) – Expert Rating
- More Citroën Expert Ratings, new car reviews, news and features
Key specifications
Body style: Five-door hatch
Engines: petrol, diesel
Price when new: From £18,820 on-road
Launched: Summer 2014
Last updated: Spring 2018
Replacement due: N/A
Image gallery
Media reviews
Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
The Car Expert
Score: 7.8 / 10
“The Citroën C4 Cactus remains a car that will appeal to those who need a family hatch but who don’t want a family hatch like everyone else’s.”
Read review
Auto Express
Model reviewed: (range review)
Score: 8 / 10
“The Citroën C4 Cactus is still a stand-out design that’s comfortable and efficient, but a recent facelift repositioned it as a budget hatchback.”
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Auto Trader
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“The main appeal of the Citroën C4 Cactus lies in its individuality, with styling that’s distinctly different to anything else. It’s not the best car of its sort to drive, but it is reasonably practical, well equipped and comes with some really good petrol engines that are punchy, smooth and economical.”
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Car
Model reviewed: 1.2-litre petrol automatic
Score: 8 / 10
“If you’re looking for an idiosyncratic hatchback that allows you to stand out from the crowd, then step this way and don’t look back. If you’re buying rationally, and with your head, then this car is probably not for you. As we said, it’s a proper Citroen.”
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Carbuyer
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7.8 / 10
“The Citroën C4 Cactus is an individual, practical and affordable family car with some well thought-out features like clever suspension to soak up bumps.”
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Carwow
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“The Citroën C4 Cactus is very comfortable and has a stylish interior, but you may miss the wackier looks of the old model.”
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Heycar
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“The Citroën C4 Cactus is an unconventional family hatchback that has a lot of character and style, but not enough substance to make it a proper all-rounder. The iffy cabin quality, coupled with overly soft suspension and so-so driving dynamics, make it hard to recommend.”
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Honest John
Model reviewed: (range review)
Score: 8 / 10
“With prices starting at around £13,000 the Citroën C4 Cactus represents a lot of car for the money. It’s the ideal family car and we have no doubt it will find plenty of fans.”
Read review
Model reviewed: (range review)
“The Citroën C4 Cactus is still an appealing alternative to the mainstream and its positive elements will entice many buyers in, but its flaws will put as many people off. While it is smarter looking, it doesn’t offer as much in the way of charm as it did, which is a real shame.”
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Parkers
Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 7.8 / 10
“Comfortable and easy to live with, but too flawed for most drivers”
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The Sun
Model reviewed: 1.2-litre petrol manual Feel
“Citroen has done a good job in making the C4 Cactus stand out in a fast-moving but increasingly samey segment, and it’s not difficult to like.”
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The Telegraph
Model reviewed: 1.2-litre petrol manual 110 Flair
Score: 6 / 10
“It seems slightly unfair of Citroen to give the C4 Cactus the role of C-segment contender, because it’s simply not big or clever enough to ever take on the best in that class. Viewed as the oddity that it is, however, this lightweight, smooth-riding and quirky-looking car holds some appeal. Just make sure you get a few thousand knocked off the price.”
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Top Gear
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“By trying to make the C4 Cactus less niche in its appeal, Citroën has inadvertently made its place in the market harder to fathom. It’s a decent car, but it’s less affordable than before, and tasked with taking on tougher rivals. Against which it’s no longer a class hero.”
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Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Overall score: 4 stars
Date tested: October 2014
Read the full Euro NCAP review
Adult protection: 82%
Child protection: 79%
Vulnerable road users: 80%
Safety assist: 56%
Note on safety rating
The Citroën C4 Cactus was originally tested by Euro NCAP back in 2014 and awarded a five-star rating. However, this rating expired in January 2021 and is no longer valid as the car no longer meets the standards required for such a rating. This is normal practice, as Euro NCAP reviews its ratings on most cars annually with most ratings expiring after about six or seven years.
However, if you are comparing a used Citroën C4 Cactus to vehicles of similar age, whose ratings will have probably also expired, its safety rating score is still useful.
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
The Citroën C4 Cactus was not tested by Green NCAP during its production life.
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
Total claims: 50
Average repair cost: £522.53
Last updated: October 2024
Reliability score
All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for extended car warranty claims
As of October 2024 (our most recent data point), the Citroën C4 Cactus is about average when it comes to reliability with a score of 64%, according to workshop and extended warranty data provided by our commercial partner, MotorEasy.
The average repair costs is fairly competitive at just over £500, although that’s still more than the cost of a used car warranty, which is certainly worth considering if you own a C4 Cactus or are thinking about buying one.
Awards
Trophies, prizes and awards that the Citroën C4 Cactus has received
2019
- Diesel Car & Eco Car Used Top 50 – Best Used Medium Car
2018
- Carwow Awards – Comfort Award
2017
- Auto Express Awards – Small SUV of the Year
2016
- Honest John Awards – Most Popular Small Family Car
- DieselCar Awards – Best Compact Crossover
2015
- World Car Awards – World Car Design of the Year
- UK Car of the Year Awards – Small Hatchback of the Year
- Carbuyer Car of the Year Awards – Car of the Year + Best Economical Car
- Car Design News – Production Car of the Year
- DieselCar Car of the Year Awards – Car of the Year
- Fleet News Awards – Best Compact SUV
- International Automobile Festival – Most Beautiful Interior
- Motor Trader Awards – New Car of the Year
- Tow Car Awards – Winner, Ultralight Tow Car category
2014
- APMP Awards – Small SUV of the Year
- Fleet World Honours – Design of the Year
- Next Green Car Awards – Best Crossover
- Top Gear Magazine Awards – Hatchback of the Year
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Citroën C4 Cactus, you might also be interested in these alternatives
Alfa Romeo Giulietta | Citroën C4 | Fiat Tipo | Ford Focus | Honda Civic | Hyundai i30 | Kia Ceed | Mazda 3 | Mazda CX-30 | Mini Countryman | Peugeot 308 | Renault Megane | SEAT Leon | Skoda Scala | Skoda Octavia | Toyota Corolla | Vauxhall Astra | Volkswagen Golf
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