Test Car Specifications
Model: 2025 Citroen C4 Hybrid 136 Max
Price: C4 from £22,295, Hybrid 136 Max from £26,625
Engine: 1.2-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol with 48V hybrid technology
Transmission: six-speed automatic, front-wheel drive
Power: 136hp
Torque: 230Nm
Emissions: 107g/km
Economy: 62.1mpg
0-62mph: 8.0 seconds
Top speed: 130mph
Boot space: 380 litres
Styling
The new-look C4 is immediately distinguished from its predecessor with a new front-end design. The basic shape is unchanged, but a new bumper, new grille and new lights have made it much more modern. The headlight pattern is a bit fragmented, which looks a little odd, but otherwise it's an attractive thing, and minor tweaks to the boot have similarly modernised an already quirky and fresh design.
Citroen's new-look, retro-inspired logo also features prominently, and Citroen has prioritised personalisation, too. The little strips in the front bumper can be swapped for different-coloured options by a dealer, to either complement or contrast with the range of body colours and contrast roof options available.
Interior
Citroen may have made sweeping changes to the C4’s exterior design, but the interior has had a more minor tweak, with small changes to the central touchscreen and a new digital instrument display installed. The touchscreen hasn’t really changed much – it now has a sluggish ChatGPT voice assistant system, and it’s still quite clunky at times – but the digital instrument display is now much bigger and clearer as a result.
It’s in keeping with a modern ambience, with a quite minimalist dashboard despite the inclusion of physical controls for the air conditioning and some big, comfy seats, which offer a bit more lateral support than before. Sadly, Citroen hasn’t really changed the C4’s cabin plastics, which is a bit of a shame as some of them feel quite cheap, but they’re all quite well bolted together. And given the C4 is quite a cheap car, the odd dodgy plastic is forgivable.
Practicality
Although it looks very different from the family hatchbacks we're used to, the C4 still sees itself as a rival to the likes of the Volkswagen Golf and Ford Focus. As such, the C4 has ample space for four despite its sloping roofline, with just about enough rear headroom and adequate legroom back there. Really tall passengers will find their hair brushing the roof lining, which isn't ideal, but it's a by-product of that swooping roofline and it won't be a problem for many. And the 380-litre boot is almost exactly the same size as that of the Golf, so nobody will complain about luggage space.
Performance
The Citroen C4's hybrid system is one of those rare things that looks less impressive than it really is. Citroen calls it a 48-volt system, which makes it sound like a glorified stop-start system, but the electric motor takes the lead more often than you might expect. So much so, in fact, that the pairing of 1.2-litre petrol engine and electric motor is impressively economical in such a bulky car, returning well over 50mpg on a long run. Around town, it would likely be even more efficient.
Yet despite that, the hybrid system is relatively powerful. With 136hp at the disposal of the driver's right foot, the C4 Hybrid is punchy enough to keep up with traffic without sacrificing fuel economy. It's generally pretty smooth, too, because the engine and electric motor are both remarkably quiet until you put your foot down. And even then, the off-beat three-cylinder thrum of the engine is much less unpleasant than the drone from most four-cylinder hybrid systems. However, the automatic gearbox sometimes seems to trip the system up, and that gets in the way of what would otherwise be a very commendable powertrain.
Ride & Handling
Like other versions of the C4, the C4 Hybrid makes no attempt to feel sporty or exciting. Instead, it's a relaxed, comfortable mode of family transport, and we wholeheartedly approve of that approach. Citroen hasn't made a properly sporty car since the old DS3 became a DS, and it's no surprise to find the C4's steering is a bit light and numb, and the body control is adequate, but no better than that. However, the hybrid version of the C4 rolls less than the electric e-C4 and it feels a bit more secure, stable and predictable on the road, which inspires a bit more confidence.
It's also more comfortable. While Citroen makes a lot of noise about the comfort of its C4 models, the e-C4 is quite jiggly, but the hybrid is far more stable, settling down nicely on the motorway. Admittedly, it's less impressive around town, where hitting a really broken surface at speed will occasionally catch the suspension out, but it's nothing too terrifying and it's quickly resolved. And it's only an issue if you're really pushing the car, which is hardly encouraged.
Value
The new C4 Hybrid comes in at a very appealing £22,295, which makes it barely more expensive than a VW Polo, but you get a hybrid system and as much space as a VW Golf. Even the range-topping C4 Hybrid Max tested here starts at £26,625, which is absurdly cheap for something with 18-inch alloy wheels, satellite navigation and a head-up display, as well as a reversing camera, climate control and heated front seats. And even base models get alloys, parking sensors and two-zone climate control, albeit without the new digital instrument display Citroen is so proud of.
Verdict
Though some might be lured in by the e-C4, the hybrid is the better car. It's more versatile, more comfortable and better to drive, while offering much the same interior space and external style. The updates have strengthened the proposition further still, while the price tag remains impressively competitive. So while the C4 might not suit everyone, it's an underrated alternative to the likes of the VW Golf, and it deserves more success than it has so far enjoyed.
