ELECTRIC CHARISMA (some text hidden) SECTIONED_new_citroenec4_2021

By Jonathan Crouch

Introductionword count: 69

Back in 2020, the e-C4 brought a dose of Citroen individuality to the EV part of the family hatchback segment. The looks had a crossover vibe, the range was a (then-reasonable) 217 miles and the cabin was the most comfortable in the class. If you're fed up with clinical family EVs and want an affordable, charismatic electric family hatch from the 2020-2024 period, here's one that might charm you.

Modelsword count: 4

5dr family hatch (EV)

Historyword count: 219

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 PSA Group conformity has characterised family offerings from the double chevron marque. But by the beginning of this century's third decade, gradually things seemed to be changing and Citroens were being set apart once more. First, with details things like Airbump panels and squashier seats. But by 2020, we were at least seeing evidence of more fundamental Citroen-esque engineering. For an example of that, take the subject here, the original version of the brand's first family hatch-sized EV model, the e-C4. It was all-electric - which was significant because back in 2020, electrified versions of Peugeots bigger than supermini-size were usually preferring a plug-in petrol/electric PHEV drivetrain. Citroen owner Stellantis was apparently giving its brands a choice between PHEV and BEV drivetrains for models in this period and Citroen wanted to be different. But how different in this case? This e-C4 hatch was joined a year later by an e-C4 X saloon model. And both sold until late 2024, when the line-up was significantly facelifted. It's the pre-facelift versions of the e-C4 we look at here.

What You Getword count: 227

Citroen isn't one of those brands who think that a full-EV needs to look radically different from a combustion hatch, so you'll struggle to tell this e-C4 apart from its combustion-engined C4 showroom counterparts, unless you happen to notice the badging or the charging flap. Like other C4 variants, this one confirms that the delineating line between family hatch and compact SUV design is being ever more blurred. Which many folk in search of a compact hatch will think to be no bad thing. There's the option of an e-C4 X saloon body shape if you don't like the hatch. Inside, the dash gets the kind of big 10-inch centre touchscreen that's in current vogue. And a fully digitalised instrument binnacle. Thankfully, the climate controls are separated out from the screen on the centre stack. The e-C4 is 4.35-metres long, which isn't huge for a Focus-sized hatch, but once inside, space is reasonable on the rear seat. The brand claimed best-in-class knee room - we wouldn't quite agree with that; there's a little more room in the back of a rival Volkswagen ID.3. But it'll be fine for a couple of adults on medium-length trips. Out back with the hatch version, there's a decently-sized 380-litre boot, which is exactly the same size as that of the combustion-engined model. Citroen included a twin-level boot floor for extra convenience.

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