Test Car Specifications
Model: 2023 Citroen e-C4 X Shine Plus
Price: From £31,995 (£37,345 as tested)
Engine: 100kW electric motor
Transmission: single-speed automatic, front-wheel drive
Battery: 50kWh
Power: 136hp
Torque: 260Nm
Emissions: 0g/km
Range: 222 miles
0-62mph: 9.5 seconds
Top speed: 93mph
Boot space: 510 litres
Styling
The designers of the e-C4 X haven't had the most challenging job to do, as much of the sheet metal carries over from the existing e-C4. The whole front section and doors are unchanged, but a new rear roof section and elongated boot give the genre-challenging Citroen enough of a different look to make it seem like a different model rather than a variant. Some plastic cladding around the wheel arches and along the sills retains a crossover feel.
Interior
Even though it appears devoid of colour, the cabin of the Citroen e-C4 X is nicely laid out and has plenty of different surface textures to keep it somewhat interesting. You will find cheaper, harder plastics when you look, but within your general gaze, it seems quite reasonable. All versions feature a 5.5-inch digital instrument display that's tastefully lit from behind on either side to add depth to the dash. A colour head-up display is also present, projecting driving information onto a clear plastic panel that rises from the top of the dashboard. It's not as elaborate as others that project directly onto the windscreen, but it's similar to how other manufacturers, such as Mazda, do it, and it gets the job done.
The 10-inch touchscreen is much broader than it is tall, and it sits high on the dash. We like that Citroen retains a physical volume dial and some shortcut buttons make it easier to jump between certain functions within the native infotainment system. You get wireless smartphone mirroring for Android and Apple devices, which is always a plus, and Citroen equips the e-C4 X with both types of USB ports and a wireless charging pad.
We're less keen on the swathe of glossy piano black surfacing on the centre console, as it shows up scratches and marks far too easily and will prematurely age the interior. Better is the toggle-style drive selector and use of an electric parking brake, so there's an improved sense of space between the front seats. Proper dials for adjusting the climate and temperature settings are a further plus, as you can do it without looking away from the road. Also worthy of mention are the front seats, which employ thicker padding than usual as part of Citroen's dedication to comfort.
Practicality
With that protruding rear end, the e-C4 X gains practicality by providing a boot that measures 510 litres — an improvement on the 380 litres you get in the e-C4. That increase is, of course, a welcome one, but it's worth noting that the actual boot aperture isn't as practical as that of the hatchback. Loading particularly bulky items, such as large suitcases, requires some planning. Passengers in the rear get slightly more space because the seats are set at a more reclined angle. Despite how the roofline looks from the exterior, there's a decent amount of headroom. Unlike some other crossovers with sloping roofs (we're looking at you Toyota C-HR) passengers in the back won't feel cramped or claustrophobic thanks to large windows and the backs of the front seats being sculpted to add a few extra millimetres of legroom.
Performance
Powering the e-C4 X is a 50kWh battery and a 136hp electric motor that drives the front wheels. It's a setup that features in numerous models across Citroen's parent group, Stellantis. Fully charged, that battery can provide a WLTP driving range of 222 miles, which, thanks to its improved aerodynamics, is six miles more than the e-C4. That driving range should be sufficient for the average daily commuter, and with 100kW DC charging available, even a quick top-up on a longer journey will add a good bit more range. Outright performance isn't blistering, but that's not the remit of this car. It will accelerate from 0-62mph in 9.5 seconds, so it's brisk enough, and the top speed is 93mph.
Ride & Handling
Citroen likes to differentiate itself from the competition with its comfort. After all, this is a brand steeped in a rich history of making cars that glide along seemingly unaffected by the road surface underneath. The e-C4 X makes a good stab at continuing this legacy, using the company's patented Advanced Comfort Suspension with hydraulic dampers. These make the ride smoother, as do the 18-inch wheels, which thankfully leave room for a decent amount of tyre sidewall to help soak up bumps. The trade-off with having that more comfortable ride is that the Citroen doesn't feel that sporty in the bends, and you do get a touch more body roll than some other 'sportier' crossovers. This Citroen isn't an electric car brimming with masses of power, so it's better suited to a more relaxed driving style anyway.
Value
Prices for the Citroen e-C4 X start at £31,995 for the entry-grade Sense specification, and that gets you a good level of standard equipment. The mid-level Shine trim adds nicer features such as a heated leather multifunction steering wheel, head-up display, the My Citroen Drive Plus connected upgrade to the 10-inch touchscreen, blind spot detection and parking sensors with a reversing camera. Topping the range is the Shine Plus, which adds Highway Driver Assist with adaptive cruise control, heated front seats and Alcantara upholstery. Citroen offers an upgraded 11kW AC charging option for a further £300, which is helpful if you use public charge points more regularly.
Verdict
The Citroen e-C4 X takes all the positive aspects of the e-C4 hatchback and adds just the right amount of practicality to make it a more appealing model. It has the right-sized battery for most buyers, and the emphasis on comfort makes it an enjoyable and relaxing car to drive. On top of that, the standard equipment levels are good across the range, making this one of the better value-for-money electric cars on sale.
