Citroen C4 115kW Max Extended Range 54kWh 5dr Auto

Ten Second Review

The improved version of this e-C4 continues to bring a dose of Citroen individuality to the EV part of the family hatchback segment. The smarter looks have a crossover vibe, the range is reasonable and the cabin is still the most comfortable in the class. If you're fed up with clinical family EVs, here's one that just might charm you.

Background

Citroen is a company with a reputation for trying to do things differently. Unfortunately though, the reality is that it's not always been a company able to do things differently from sister brand Peugeot. In the last few decades, a depressing cloak of conformity has characterised family offerings from the double chevron marque. But gradually things seem to be changing and Citroens are being set apart once more. First, with details things like Airbumps and squashier seats. And in more recent years with more fundamental engineering. For an example of that, take the subject of this test, the updated version of the brand's offering in the EV family hatch segment, the e-C4. Significant styling and interior updates feature with this improved design, bringing the e-C4 more into line with its segment rivals. And as before, this car plays to the things people tend to like about Citroen - innovative design, a distinctive feel and exemplary ride quality.

Driving Experience

It'd be good if the limitation of being able to drive a small EV on a long trip for no more than about two and a half hours between charges was a distant memory by now. Sadly though - for Stellantis Group models at least - that's still the case here. The last time we tried an e-C4 (at its launch in 2020), its 50kWh battery claimed to take it 217 miles (a figure we never got near). Today, the figure from that same 'Standard Range' battery has been eked up to a best of 232 miles, which doesn't seem to represent much in terms of nearly half a century of development. Those dissatisfied by that will be pointed to the 'Extended Range' battery fitted to the pricier e-C4 model we tried, which claims to be able to offer up to 271 miles between charges. And also provides a boost in power for the front-mounted electric motor - from 136 to 156hp, though because the 260Nm torque figure remains the same, the effect on performance is negligible (a reduction of 0.8s in the 0-62mph sprint time, which in the perkier model is rated at 9.2s). This e-C4 gives you three drive modes - 'Normal', 'Eco' or 'Sport'. Obviously, you'll need 'Eco' to stand any chance of getting near the quoted drive range figures, but selecting this mode feels like glue has been inserted into the throttle pedal. With an e-C4, there are no regen braking options provided; just a gear selector 'B' setting which, if you're anything like us, you'll keep forgetting to engage. Obviously, this all-electric model carries around a lot more weight than its combustion counterparts, but since there's nothing about the handling that encourages you to drive this car with much vigour, you're unlikely to notice that difference very much. There's actually less body roll at speed through the bends than you'd think there might be; more of a problem is the almost complete lack of steering feel, but since a typical Citroen buyer probably won't be used to having much of that, this probably won't really matter. The ride is very comfort-orientated, as you'd expect from a Citroen thanks to the clever Progressive Hydraulic suspension set-up. Here, the car's springs and shock absorbers work in concert with hydraulic compression and rebound stops, which are supposed to slow body movement over bumps and tarmac tears.

Design and Build

The visual changes to both hatch and e-C4X saloon versions of this model go beyond the scope of the usual facelift, drawing upon the brand's Oli concept car from 2022, with squared-off lighting signatures and the brand's latest logo. The slim LED front headlamps feature a characteristic light signature divided into three distinctive horizontal segments. There are rear tail light updates too, as part of changes to improve aerodynamic efficiency. All models get smart new 18-inch 'Amber' wheels, whilst the 'Colour Clip' finishing for the rear lower trim panels and lower front bumper panel aim to add personalisation. The changes are even greater inside, where (above base trim) there's a bigger 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster (2.0-inches larger than before). The 10.0-inch central screen's the same size as previously, but has been updated with a new connected 3D navigation system and a better 'Hello Citroen'-activated voice control set-up. A major selling point of the pre-facelift car was its cossetting 'Advanced Comfort' seats; well they've been improved with an extra 15mm of foam and a new denser section of padding in the centre of the squab. Further back of course, it's just as before. For the rear seat, the brand continues to claim best-in-class knee room and offers a wide range of storage compartments. Plus there's a decently-sized 380-litre boot in the hatch version; the e-C4 X saloon's boot is a big 510-litres in size. Both figures are the same as you'd get with the combustion versions. There's a reasonably low loading sill height of 715mm, so getting bulky stuff in ought to be pretty straightforward and you get side compartments to the left and right, with upper bag hooks on either side, four lower tie-down points and, on the left, an elasticated side strap and a light. There's no useful 40:20:40 seat back split but with top spec trim, a ski hatch is provided for longer items. Push forward the 60:40-split backrest and you can improve the space on offer to 1,250-litres.

Market and Model

To reflect challenging market trends, from launch Citroen significantly reduced the price of this facelifted e-C4 compared to the earlier version. As we reviewed this car in Autumn 2025, this e-C4 was priced from £27,650 in base Standard Range 50kWh 'YOU!'-spec, with just over £1,000 more necessary for the mid-level 'PLUS' trim most will want. To get the larger 'Extended Range' 54kWh battery we tried, it's unfortunately necessary to stretch all the way up to top 'MAX' spec, which at the time of our review meant a necessary spend of £31,505 - at which point this Citroen doesn't seem quite such good value after all. As an alternative to this hatch model, there's the identically-priced e-C4 X saloon model, which can't be had with base 'YOU!'-spec. From all these prices, you can deduct the government's £1,500 Electric car Grant. All trim levels come with core model features like 'Advanced Comfort' suspension, thickly-padded 'Advanced Comfort' front seats and a dashboard storage drawer. There's also Citroen LED Vision headlights, 18-inch diamond-cut bi-tone 'Amber' alloy wheels, auto headlamps and wipers, tinted rear side windows, rear parking sensors and a speed limiter with cruise control. Media features are taken care of by a 10-inch centre screen with 'Apple CarPlay' and 'Android Auto' and a 6-speaker audio system. Ideally though, you'd stretch beyond base 'YOU!'-spec because then you'll get the kind of e-C4 most customers will want. Which means that the base model's 5-inch instrument screen will be swapped out for a larger 7-inch display paired with a head-up display. And the centre screen gains Connected Navigation and voice recognition. In addition, there's the useful 'Smart Pad Support' feature providing for an integrated tablet support ahead of the front passenger. From 'PLUS'-spec upwards, there's also a rear view camera, power-folding mirrors and an alarm.

Cost of Ownership

On to battery replenishment. The e-C4 charges at up to 100kW with the 50kWh battery - or at up to 115kW with the 54kWh battery. But charging times are much the same either way. The e-C4 is fitted with a 7.4kW on-board charger, which can DC-charge to 80% in around half an hour using a 100kW public fast charger. At home, the car will AC-charge from empty to full in around 7.5 hours using a typical single-phase 7.4kW garage wallbox. That could fall to just 5 hours if you have a 3-phase home electricity supply and have the car fitted with an optional 11kW on-board charger to allow you to AC-charge using an 11kW wallbox. With the top 54kWh model, the electric motor and battery enhancements reduce average energy consumption to 12kW/h, offering significant benefits in real-life customer use, even at temperatures close to 0°C. With both variants, the relatively compact battery size means less weight and less consumption, plus eco-style 'A+ 18-inch' tyres reduce rolling resistance and minimise energy loss through friction. As an option, there's a heat pump, which uses a humidity sensor to maximise energy efficiency and cooling. Whatever your choice of e-C4, you'll properly want to keep garage costs in check by opting for the affordable 3 year servicing plan that is available at point of purchase. Finally, there's the usual Citroen three year / 60,000 mile warranty. And the e-C4 has its own battery warranty - 8 years or 100,000 miles for 70% of charge capacity.

Summary

You still might not be quite ready to make the step from family hatch to SUV. You also might not be quite ready to make the step from combustion engine to full-electric. This Citroen e-C4 makes either of these seismic steps a good deal more plateable to folk wavering on the edge of a crossover culture or a nightly charging regime. You get most of the visual cues associated with an SUV. And enough driving range to make the switch from combustion power to EV realistic enough to consider. Let's be honest, all of this isn't going to be enough to allow this car to out-sell the many family hatch EV models it's primarily targeted at - models like the Hyundai Kona Electric, the Kia EV3 and the Volkswagen ID.3. But the e-C4, especially in this updated form, has a much more individualistic charismatic feel than any of those cars. It's a proper Citroen, which means it's interesting, stylish and extremely comfortable. And a proper Citroen is something we always welcome. If you're looking for a wider choice in the EV part of the family hatchback segment, you should too.