Citroen C4

Cabin

Frankly, considering the segment, price point, and what buyers really expect in the UAE, the C4's cabin is just right. The space is just okay, and the design is quite practical with all the necessary features and tech. The cockpit consists of a dashboard centred on a 10-inch HD touchscreen running Citroën's latest infotainment software from the entry variant itself, complete with Apple CarPlay and voice command built in. A digital assistant answers to "Hello Citroën", and the audio experience is enhanced by 6 speakers across the cabin. On the top Max variant, there is additionally natural voice recognition and a customisable widget interface with haptic feedback on the same screen, along with 3D navigation.

Front Seat and Rear Seat

• Leather seats fitted from the entry ‘You’ variant
• Advanced Comfort seats are built into both variants, using the brand's signature foam construction
• Height-adjustable driver's seat included as standard
• Centre console armrest fitted across the range

Climate Control

There is standard automatic climate control on both variants. This makes it easy for buyers, as there is no choice or extra condition. There are certain areas, like the AC and other features, that the brand offers as standard, which most buyers would appreciate.

Storage

Considering its compact size, the cabin storage is decent. Practicality appears to be the focus. You get all the usual areas to store stuff when on the move.

• Cup holders and a bottle holder are built into the front doors
• Centre console armrest with storage beneath, standard on both variants
• An accessory power outlet fitted as standard

Charging

The wireless phone charging is reserved for the Max, with the You relying on USB connections alone.

Boot Space

The New C4's boot ranges from 380 litres with all seats up to 1,250 litres with them folded, another area where being a hatchback scores better in the segment. A first aid kit, fire extinguisher, and spare wheel are fitted as standard, covering the basics buyers expect underneath the boot floor.

Citroën builds a safety case around 4 airbags, backed by ABS and a rear parking sensor system paired with speed-limiter cruise control.

• Adaptive cruise control with stop and go exclusive to the Max, replacing the You's speed-limiter setup
• 6 airbags fitted on the Max, up from 4 on the You
• Front, rear, and flank-guard sensors with a top-view camera on the Max
• Blind spot monitoring and lane keep assist are added in the Max
• Head-up display and passive entry with push-button start on the Max
• Extended traffic sign recognition and driver attention alert on the Max
• Active Safety Brake and an Active Lane Departure Warning System  are among the Max's driver-assistance suite, alongside high beam assist

The safety gap between the two variants runs wide here. As you can see, the You variant covers the basics, and the Max gets extra features, with most of the driver-assistance suite in one step, not spread out across the range.

Front

Citroën gives the new C4 LED headlights with integrated daytime running lights, forming a clean light signature across the nose. The design carries the same corporate face already used on the C5 Aircross and C4 X. This gives Citroën's UAE range a consistent identity from model to model. This also helps it stand out within the segment against its key rivals that are popular among buyers here.

Side Profile

The size is actually quite interesting; despite being compact, the proportions feel well-executed in terms of design. What you see is the C4 keeps a conventional five-door hatchback shape. Not a coupe-like roofline, leaving that fastback treatment to its C4 X sibling. In terms of dimensions, the C4 is 4,350 mm long on both variants, with a shared 2,032 mm width and 1,525 mm height. This makes it a rather perfect fit for the segment and feels less cramped than most cars of this profile.

Alloy Wheels

Citroën offers standard 18-inch alloy wheels across the range. Frankly, the size is quite appropriate for the car. As it fills the arches without pushing into the firmer ride larger wheels often bring.

Rear

At the rear, black electric folding door mirrors with entry and exit lights are standard on the top-end Max variant. Lower variant buyers can upgrade if they want. The access boot is a conventional top-hinged tailgate, not the wide-opening design Citroën reserves for the C4 X. As far as the design goes, the C4 is pretty decent, nothing fancy but functional, and well focused on usability.

Colors

• Elixir Red
• Eclipse Blue
• Manhattan Green
• Mercury Grey
• Okenite White
• Perla Nera

Six named exterior colours are offered on the New C4. The list ranges from bolder options like Elixir Red and Manhattan Green to calmer choices like Mercury Grey and Okenite White.

You can choose between two variants of the C4.

You is the base variant. It carries the same powertrain, comprising a 1.2-litre turbo engine and 8 speed automatic. When it comes to features, it is actually well-equipped even at the base level. There are leather seats, advanced comfort seating, a 10-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, and a core safety package built around 4 airbags and rear parking sensors.

Max is the top-end. Since the powertrain is the same, what you get here are extra features for the premium price. The safety gets an upgrade with 6 airbags, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, a head-up display, wireless phone charging, a sunroof, blind spot monitoring, lane keep assist, and a fuller camera and sensor package covering the front, rear, and flanks.

Zigwheels Recommendation

There is not much to go around when selecting the best one between the two. Clearly, those of you who want the core Citroën experience without chasing every driver-assistance feature should stick with the You, since its safety package and touchscreen already cover daily needs. However, those who prefer adaptive cruise control, a sunroof, or blind spot monitoring should move up to the Max, where the added equipment list runs long enough to justify the step up.

The New C4 carries a comfort-first approach into a straightforward five-door hatchback body, backed by leather seats and Advanced Comfort seating even on the entry variant. Essentially, Citroën is trying to offer something compelling in this segment where the rivals are quite popular, and breaking into their market is a tough task.

For the size of the car, the powertrain is certainly quite impressive. With enough power, you can deal with everyday driving easily. Besides, there is the practicality of a bigger boot, something that goes well with buyers.

But looking from a strong rival's perspective, like the Toyota Corolla, Kia Cerato, and Peugeot 308, the C4 doesn't really shine on outright performance or brand pull. So the French brand is trying to build a position around equipment where most rivals are asking extra prices at this level.

Overall, it is hard to find any wow factor in the car, yet those of you who want a hatchback that treats comfort as the main event, not an afterthought, will find the new C4 deserves a spot on your test-drive list.

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