Citroën ë-C4 X review

Driving position

Over the years, Citroën hasn’t been afraid of making quirky interiors. Just look at the incomparable style in models like the SM and CX.

It really knows how to make cars that stand out from the crowd, and elements of this have carried through to its newer models. 

The second you slide into the ë-C4 X’s seat, you’re greeted by what could be mistaken for a Mercedes or Audi interior – it’s really rather plush.

From the extensive leather effect on the seats and dashboard to the backlit digital gauge cluster, it’s all very Citroën and is a very pleasant place to be. 

But the geniuses at the factory have paid attention to one thing in particular: the seats. The exclusive Citroën ‘Advanced Comfort Seats’ provide you with several types of comfort.

They’ve been designed to offer plenty of padding, postural comfort and overall ease, with a heating and massage function built in.

This, paired with the suspension, means you feel as though you’re driving over candyfloss. 

Tech and features

You do, of course, get all the standard tech gubbins you’d expect to find in a brand-new electric car, including a heads-up display that rises from the dash displaying your speed and the road speed limit.

There's also Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity should you wish to connect your smartphone.

There’s also a functional sat-nav, a large 10-inch central infotainment display and a smaller digital gauge cluster that shows your charge status, speed and whether you’re using the battery or charging it through regenerative braking.

There are two features we really love. The first is the flat-bottomed steering wheel, which is the perfect thickness and very ergonomically pleasing. Its broken circle design also makes it easier to get your legs in and out.

The other is the number of physical dials situated below the infotainment screen.

We think more cars should have this – it's infinitely easier than menu-diving until you can eventually adjust the heater temperature. Brownie points to Citroën for this. 

However, the one downside we noticed is the volume control knob, which is either cleverly placed or foolishly positioned.

We say this because it’s far away from the driver, meaning you’d need to lean over to use it.

There are controls on the steering wheel, of course, and it does make it easier for a passenger to control the volume, but do you really want your seven-year-old turning up the theme song to Paw Patrol at a moment’s notice?

Handling and ride comfort

Once you’re strapped in and you fire up the ë-C4 X’s silent motor, the first thing you’ll notice is just how quiet and smooth the whole driving experience is.

Part of this is down to the noise-dampening and comfortable seats, but it's mostly thanks to Citroën’s advanced comfort suspension, which is known internally as the ‘magic carpet ride’ effect.  

All models are equipped with progressive hydraulic cushions, which in layman's terms means you’re effectively gliding across the tarmac – even on the rough Yorkshire roads that we experienced.

If you’ve ever been in a Citroën DS, then you’ll know exactly what this feels like, and if not, picture a bowling ball rolling along on a polished wooden floor. 

It's firm and well-planted around corners, and its solid and direct steering helps it to work its way around any tight country road you may find yourself on.

You can certainly tell it’s heavy – and it is at 1,650kg – but it still feels nimble, like its petrol-powered equivalent.  

Electric motors and power

Power comes from an electric motor that produces a modest 136hp and 260Nm of torque, enabling it to complete the 0-62mph sprint in around 10 seconds when in Sport mode.

That's by no means quick as EVs go, but you really don’t need much more than that for a family car.  

For perspective, its Kia Niro EV and Peugeot e-2008 rivals also do it in about the same time.

It’s certainly no Tesla Model Y, but acceleration is still punchy and can be likened to the MG ZS EV in terms of its linear power delivery.

Plus, it has a solid brake feel, which is important when manoeuvring such a heavy car with instant electric torque.

Mated to this electric motor is a 50kWh battery that has a claimed maximum range of 260 miles, which we think is accurate.

Throughout our testing, 97% of the battery showed 217 miles of range and when on 93% we had 207 miles left. 

One of its standout features is automatic wipers, which really come into their own in the UK's wet winter months.

There’s also a particularly satisfying indicator sound – it may sound like a small detail, but it’s something you’ll hear thousands of times across your ownership.

One feature worth noting is the small rear window, which can make reversing a little trickier.  

Being an electric family car, you need there to be lots of storage space and plenty of seats, and thankfully the e-C4 X delivers. 

Rear seats

There’s certainly enough space for a family of four, with a third person being able to sit in the middle rear seat for shorter journeys.

Rear passengers get up to 198mm of legroom and the seats are wide, giving you lots of breathing space.

Storage solutions

You’ll also find 16 storage compartments dotted around the car, with a total of 33 litres of extra space for snacks, tech or bottles. 

You also get up to four USB ports and a wireless charging pad at the front, so all your passengers will have plenty of juice for longer road trips. 

Boot space

Move to the rear of the car and there’s a large 510-litre boot that opens wide, allowing you to easily load suitcases and bags for family road trips – or the family dog. 

One of the largest considerations we face when buying a new car is the cost, especially with electric cars that tend to be priced higher than their petrol or diesel counterparts. 

Prices for a brand-new ë-C4 X start at just under £26,000, and the on-road price of the one we tested is £35,495.

This gets you a solid range, a luxurious interior and masses of practicality. When you compare it to some of its rivals and even the much smaller Vauxhall Corsa Electric, this is great value for money.  

Behind the wheel, you’d think this is a £45,000 car, so to hear it’s much less is a pleasant surprise. But it can be had for even less on the used car market, with prices from £17,000 for the ë-C4.  

Range and charging

Other costs you’ll need to consider include the general running costs associated with an electric car, such as charging, maintenance and insurance. 

The most popular type of charging will be at home, which is slower but far cheaper at 30p per kWh. If you’re out and about and need a fast charge then you’ll pay between 53p and 77p per kWh. 

Insurance groups

Insurance costs will vary too, depending on factors including the driver’s history and where they live, but the e-C4 X sits in insurance group 22, which is in the middle of the pricing range. 

Reliability

You should also be covered on the maintenance front. With this being a nearly-new car, you get a three-year/60,000-mile warranty that can be passed on to subsequent owners.