Citroen C4 1.6HDi 16V 110hp SX 5dr

Costs

Key to keeping the cost down is that most of the clever stuff - adaptive lights, lane departure warning, fancy stereo and sat-nav - is on the options list. Servicing and repair costs are unlikely to be steep either. And opting for a diesel if you travel a lot should help save money at the pump.

Space and practicality

Four adults can be accommodated in reasonable comfort ain the C4, and there's enough room for mobile phones, maps and the like in the car's various oddment storage areas. With family duties in mind, even the C4's boot is a decent size and boasts a low load lip, which should please anyone tasked with transporting the weekly shop. The back seats fold, making light work of carrying large or bulky items.

Controls and display

Unlike in other cars, the C4's wheel consists of a fixed centre and a moving rim. Citroen believes this approach allows a more successful deployment of the airbag and a greater number of supplementary controls (stereo, cruise control, general navigation buttons) to be within easier reach of the driver. Although initial a little strange, you soon get used to it. The car's main central display works well, the lesser displays (ventilation, audio/sat-nav) are a less coherent mix of colour and monochrome.

Comfort

Mechanical refinement is impressive, and shows itself in the form of minimal engine and road noise. The car's supple ride also plays a significant role; likewise the car's seats, which are supportive. The driver is also well catered for, as the driving position boasts plenty of adjustment.

Car security

Standard on the C4 is remote central locking and automatic locking of doors and boot when the car is in motion, plus the predictable appearance of an immobiliser. Laminated side glass is available depending on the model, which can help thwart a thief's effort to gain entry.

Car safety

Six airbag come as standard along with ABS, electronic brakeforce distribution (EBA) and electronic brake assist (EBA). The firm's much-lauded Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS) and directional xenon headlamps are options, despite the firm being keen to trumpet their benefits.

Driver appeal

In recent years Citroen has left its cousin Peugeot to pursue the performance market. As a result, the ride and handling properties of Citroens lean more towards the comfort end of the spectrum As such, the C4 feels more mature than its Xsara predecessor. The C4 is nothing if not willing when it comes to challenging B-roads, though. Feedback from the steering may be lacking, but the overall experience is an entertaining and enjoyable one. Predictably the diesel engines deliver the most real world performance.

Family car appeal

The C4 is more than up to the task if you're not a fan of the people carrier genre. What you lack in terms of ingenious cubbyholes you gain in terms of a car that won't pitch and roll at the slightest hint of a corner. The C4's boot is a good size and children or teens won't find issue with the car's rear legroom.

First car appeal

Aside from the car's 'quirky' steering wheel, there's little chance of a novice driver finding fault with the C4. Visibility is good and the major controls require little effort to operate smoothly. The low power petrol and diesel models would be the obvious choice for anyone with one eye on insurance premiums.

Quality and image

This C4 is the first product to have benefited fully from Citroen's concerted efforts to raise the quality bar. Build quality is noticeably better than the old Xsara and refinement rivals that of VW's Golf and Ford's Focus. The combination of a genuinely fresh design and the presence of clever technology in the C4 has been designed to show the car and the brand in a more positive light.

Accessibility

In five-door form front seat occupants will have little trouble gaining access. The seating position is slightly raised - a ploy to help improve access and egress and boost visibility for the driver. By virtue of the five-door format, rear seat occupants aren't afforded the same, generous levels of access, but only the very tall or infirm will find this a problem.

Stereo and ICE (In car entertainment)

The standard unit is positioned high up on the fascia and the main controls are logically laid out, although supplementary steering wheel controls are less intuitive. A combined audio, telephone and sat-nav system is available boasting hard disc music storage. The units various controls could be less complicated, though.

Colours and trim

Dark hues fail to accentuate the car's many curves and clever exterior details, making lighter shades the way to go. Inside, the bulk of the car's plastic is of the black variety, which gives the Citroen an almost VW Golf-like ambience. For a family car the light coloured optional leather doesn't look that durable - black is a better choice.

Parking

The C4, in five-door form, is an easy car to park. Visibility is good, although the car's windscreen pillars are on the large side Extra help can be sought by opting for the optional parking sensors, which are available for the front and rear.

Spare wheel

Standard spare wheel included.