Citroën e-C4 Review: More Than An Electrified C4

What we like:

Supremely plush ride

Design – spades of French flair

Practical family crossover

What we dislike:

Range slightly down on rivals

Could be a little more powerful

Let’s cut to the chase: On the surface, the e-C4 is pretty much the same as its petrol-powered sibling with one key difference. A 50kW electric motor now takes the place of the 1.2-litre 3-cylinder turbo charged engine we used to know in the model we tested early last year.

While that might not be a particularly exciting headline, this electrification somehow works wonders for the French marque. The e-C4 comes with the same Progressive Hydraulic Cushions –  hydraulic suspension – as its ICE counterpart. Being paired with a silent-operating electric motor really does elevate its ride to a level of comfort that is hard to find in its class.

You might dismiss this as pure exaggeration, but I think the e-C4’s ride quality and comfort could even surpass that of some models from certain premium luxury marques. Taking the e-C4 to and fro on the daily commute, especially in chock-a-block city traffic, you feel a certain sense of calmness as you settle into its Advanced Comfort Seats.

Without the typical drone that you get from an ICE motor, the e-C4 is a comfortable, peaceful and quiet place to spend time. Its interior surfaces might leave some waning, but it is at least extremely practical. With usably sized cubby holes littered all over its cabin and a unique tablet holder for the front passenger seat, it will serve the everyday needs of any family.

The e-C4 handles very similarly to its ICE sibling, and prefers to be driven in a sedentary fashion. Body roll is a bit too evident through the corners, but let’s not forget the e-C4 is not the same C4 that Sébastien Loeb powered to many victories in the WRC circuit.

It offers a decent amount of power, and given that most of its torque is available from the get go, it is fast enough for our local roads. It completes the century sprint in 10.6 seconds, which puts it within striking distance of most of its competition in the Cat A COE EV class.

We started our test with approximately 80% charge with an indicated range of 262km. By the end of our 2 day stint with the e-C4, the readout told us that we had 100km to go, just as its gauge dipped below the 1/4 mark. Good news then; the real world figures don’t seem to be that far off the quoted 363 km of range on a full charge.

It’s true that 363 km should be more than sufficient for commutes round our island, and more so with the assumption that most EV owners would probably plug their cars in on a daily basis. But the e-C4’s range may leave you wanting more, especially with rivals such as the BYD Atto 3 and Ora Good Cat hot on its heels. But if you’re looking for a BEV that offers a soothing drive, yet quirky and stands out from the crowd, look no further.

Photos by New Gen Marketing