Shining light

Citroen’s e-c4 exudes real quality and style

Now it is Citroen’s turn. Its fellow family members Peugeot, DS Automobiles and Vauxhall have all produced their own electric cars and now we have the e-c4.

Underneath, this car has the same hardware that’s used on the Peugeot e-2008, the DS3 Crossback E-tense and the Vauxhall Corsa E. That means a 50kwh battery powering a 134bhp electric motor to give the e-c4 a range of 217 miles, a top speed of 93mph and an ability to sprint to 62mph in 9.0sec.

The newcomer also shares with its siblings a 100kw charging capability which means that you’ll be able to get to 80% in around 30 minutes.

Slap a 7kwh wallbox on the side of your house and you’ll be looking at around 7 hours for a full charge.

The good bit is that Citroen has done a fantastic job of stamping its own identity on the car and not just popped a badge on one of the existing models from the PSA Group.

First off, the e-c4 looks really interesting – like a crossover with a generous ride height and the now trademark Citroen cladding, but the company is billing this new machine as very much a family car. Citroen wants you to walk past Volkswagen showrooms and their ID.3S, and Nissan showrooms and their Leafs.

The firm has been working hard on improving quality and the new C4 and this electric variant are leaps better than previous models.

Take, for example, the hidden storage bin ahead of the gear lever and the tablet holder in front of the passenger. The latter is just the sort of detail that turns an average family car into a really outstanding one.

As well as these nice touches there are digital instruments and a decent sized infotainment screen. There are three trim levels available – Sense, Shine and Shine Plus.

The model we’re testing is the middle one and costs £30,130 including PICG.

The equipment level is generous even in the Sense which gets LED headlamps, and a 10in infotainment screen with a reversing camera. You’ll be thankful for that because although the split rear window looks cool it’s not easy to see out of.

The Shine spec – at £1,000 more than the Sense – adds more goodies including keyless entry, tinted rear windows, automatic high beams and a heated steering wheel.

Jump another £1,200 to Shine Plus and you get leather, heated and electric front seats and a premium audio system.

There’s still adequate headroom despite the sloping rear back end, while the boot holds 380 litres, or 1,250 litres when the rear seats are folded flat. Both are respectable numbers that match the e-c4’s challengers.

All versions are fitted with Citroen’s Progressive Hydraulic Cushion suspension that focuses on comfort rather than sporty handling – as it should be in a family car.

The ride is comfortable and the steering is light. It’s an easy car to drive and extremely quiet on the motorway.

There’s a B mode for regenerative braking to maximise efficiency and extend the battery range, and it’s easy to get the hang of.

The choice of EVS is expanding almost on a weekly basis and the new Citroen e-c4 is a really welcome addition.

It does things a bit differently and is a lot more interesting than the many bland crossovers on the market today.