French golf with handicaps
Plenty of space, good equipment and decent workmanship - for the purchase of a used Citroen C4 speaks much. But not the reliability statistics.
Used car buyers could make suspicious: With the production end of the C4 Citroen has completely dropped out of the classic Golf class. For a great success of the hatchback does not speak that, but the compact Citroen still has its qualities.
Body and interior: The second generation of the C4 (2010 to 2018) saves the traditional extravagances of the brand and presents itself as the French equivalent of the VW Golf. At 4,33 meters in length, it offers a decent amount of space, a large trunk and a solidly finished interior. Unlike the previous model, the second generation is only available as a five-door sedan, the role of the coupé beauty has been outsourced to the technically related Citroen DS4, which was built between 2011 and 2018. Although this looks like a three-door at first glance, it does have - cleverly hidden - rear doors. The notchback sedan C4 Lounge, which was built primarily for Russia and China, also plays an outsider role on the German used car market.
Engines: The range of engines for the then new cars was relatively manageable, but over the years there were numerous changes in the portfolio, the choice for used car buyers today is quite large. The gasoline range consists of five engines with power ratings between 70 kW / 95 PS and 115 kW / 156 PS. The best choice in terms of fuel economy and power output are the 2015-liter turbos offered between 2018 and 1,2 with 81 kW / 110 PS and 96 kW / 130 PS. For the diesels the offer covers seven engines and 68 kW / 92 PS up to 110 kW / 150 PS. There are the strong 2,0-liter models first choice. Also, because they are the only engines in addition to the 130-PS petrol engine, which could be coupled with a classic converter automatic transmission. In the smaller engines, there is only an alternative to manual transmission automated manual transmission, which require familiarization and a special driving style, in order to avoid the type-typical bucking.
Equipment and safety: In terms of equipment, Citroen was relatively generous. In the base model "Attraction" are air conditioning, cruise control and heated outside angel on board, in the second stage "Tendance" come mainly optics upgrades such as 16-inch rims, more chrome and darkened windows. The highest equipment "Exclusive" comes up with unusual things like massage sitting with partial leather upholstery. Since the beginning of 2015 lift there is also a keyless system and a cockpit touch screen. Safety is provided by ESP and six airbags, but modern assistants are available only for the higher equipment levels. In the Euro NCAP crash test, 2010 was enough for five out of five stars.
Quality: Cuts the first generation of the C4 in the TÜV report still devastating, edition two is at least in the lower average. Especially in the often expensive chassis problems, the Frenchman has become a class better, without convincing completely. However, there are regular problems with the brakes: The discs wear much faster than an average vehicle. The compact Citroen can really score points with the exhaust system - which is significantly better than the competition.
And finally ...
The Citroen C4 is based more on the VW Golf than its predecessor. While he can certainly collect a few points in terms of space, workmanship and ambience, he remains at the quality level - at least statistically - away from the Wolfsburg model. The same applies to the price: Around 5.000 Euro are currently at least called.