Citroen C4 X Review

As the name implies, the C4 X is a relative of the Citroen C4 – itself a bit of a mash-up between hatchback and SUV bodystyles. However, where the C4 has a sloping rear roofline and a boot lid that lifts with the rear windscreen, the longer C4 X has a bigger cargo area accessed through a traditional saloon-style boot lid separated from the rear glass.

The C4 X's interior is effectively unchanged from the standard C4, so you get a small driver's screen behind the wheel and a widescreen infotainment system sat atop the dashboard. We'll delve further into the car's practicality later on but, for now, we can confirm the C4 X has enough space to work as a small family car, and the extra-long boot means you can stow pushchairs without too much wrangling. Unless they're too bulky for the boot opening.

Under the bonnet, you've a choice of petrol or electric power. Neither option is particularly fast but both offer enough muscle to feel relaxed in day-to-day driving. The petrol-powered model is the more flexible option, but the EV offers very low running costs if you can charge at home. Earlier petrol C4 X models made either 100hp or 130hp – the latter available with an eight-speed automatic gearbox. More recent versions have use a 136hp version of this engine with a six-speed auto and mild-hybrid assistance for better fuel economy.

Citroen launched a facelifted version of the C4 and C4 X in 2025. The only real obvious change is the updated headlight units, which are slimmer and gain horizontal daytime running lights. To our eyes, the new look is a little bland compared to the outgoing model with its distinctive, oversized lower light units. Under the bodywork, there's an updated 145hp hybrid petrol engine and minor improvements to the EV's performance.

Brand-new petrol C4 X models start a little above £25,000, with a roughly £3,000 jump from Plus trim to Max trim. Alternatively, you can add £3,000 to upgrade to the electric e-C4 X in Plus trim with the 50kWh battery, with a further £3,000 jump – just above £31,000 in total – to get a Max-trim e-C4 X with the larger 54kWh battery. This compares well to bodystyle rivals like the Renault Arkana, or against small SUVs like the Peugeot 2008 and Mazda CX-30. You can save thousands off the list price by shopping nearly new and used Citroen C4 X cars, or check out models like the MG HS or Dacia Duster that also offer lots of space for the price.

We'll cover the C4 X's interior, practicality and performance in more detail below but, taken as a whole, the C4 X is a surprisingly likeable car. The tall driving position, super-light steering and soft suspension reminds us of roly-poly old-school SUVs. It's quickly very clear that this isn't a sporty car, but there's a certain satisfaction in gently bouncing over craggy road surfaces. Citroen's also listened to customer feedback and has reintroduced common-sense physical controls in the cabin, making quick adjustments easier.

We quite like the direction Citroen's interior design has gone compared to its Stellantis stablemates. Sister brand Peugeot is pushing further upmarket with avant-garde cabin design and higher price tags to match, while Vauxhall cars are similarly affordable but their interiors seem a bit bland. Citroen, meanwhile, isn't blowing the budget on fancy fabrics but still finds a way to lift the cabin ambiance.

For starters, you look through the steering wheel at a simplified digital driver's cluster. This is mounted within a glossy black panel that's framed by cool ambient lighting – a subtle touch that helps the car feel quite modern. To the right is the infotainment screen, in a similarly sculptural panel with a proper volume knob below it, as well as shortcut keys for the home screen and vehicle settings.

The screen itself is a mixed bag. It's clear enough without going overboard on the graphics and fairly responsive to the touch – though not quite as lightning-quick as more up-to-date rivals. The wide-and-short aspect ratio restricts how large on-screen icons can be, and you'll often find yourself having to scroll through long menus to find the radio station or setting you want. More than once, we found the system didn't even take advantage of the screen's full width, using only around two thirds of the display – for example, while using the standard-fit Apple CarPlay (Android Auto is also included).

We were also left lukewarm by the material choices. While the larger Citroen C5 X includes attractive open-pore-wood detailing, the C4 X makes do with a mostly black plastic environment. There's some soft-touch panelling where your elbow goes, and a little decorative fabric strap but little else to stir the senses. That said, the seat upholstery itself – part faux-leather, part textured cloth – looks and feels plush, and the seats are softer and squishier than most car seats, fitting in with Citroen's 'lounge' ethos.

The C4 X is a fairly substantial 4.6 metres long – nearly a foot longer than the C4 hatchback. Most of that length has gone to the saloon boot, however, because passenger space is broadly the same as the regular C4. That is to say there's a decent amount of space across both rows, although rivals like the Skoda Octavia and many pure electric cars like the MG4 are even better.

There's a good range of adjustment in the front seat, and the C4 X's tall ride height means you get a confidence-inspiring view of the road ahead. However, we did notice the front seats don't adjust quite as far back as the most flexible models in class, so very tall drivers might wish for a little more legroom. Space in the back is about average for the class – an average height adult will fit easily behind a tall adult, but they won't have loads of room left over to stretch out. Persuading kids into their child seats shouldn't be too challenging in the C4 X, though access is slightly impeded by the fairly high sills.

The boot has grown in the C4 X to 510 litres from 380 in the C4 hatch. That's a huge jump and means the C4 X can tackle big shopping trips or a pushchair with space to spare. However, the saloon-style boot lid limits access since the rear windscreen doesn't lift with the lid. As a result, the boot opening is very short, which makes it harder to load tall or awkwardly shaped cargo. Anything larger than a big rucksack might prove a challenge.

There are several places to store odds and ends in the C4 X's cabin. Most notable is in the passenger-side dashboard, which features a decent lower glovebox with an extra push-open tray above this, handy for quick access to documents or swipe cards. Above the tray is an extra pop-out fixture with a spring-loaded mount for a smartphone or tablet, so your passenger can zone out with a movie while you drive, for example. Beyond that, door bin and centre console storage is about average for the class.

Our test car featured the 130hp 1.2-litre turbo petrol engine paired with an eight-speed automatic gearbox. We've tried this setup in many Stellantis cars at this point and it's generally pretty impressive. There's a healthy amount of mid-range shove so you never really need to stomp on the accelerator to get the car up to speed. That's just as well because putting the pedal to the metal doesn't really result in more insistent performance, with the engine's best work being done in the mid-range.

The EAT8 automatic gearbox is a worthy addition to the C4 X, and we'd probably choose to include it if we were speccing our own model. That said, it's not quite the best automatic in class, lacking the direct, sportier sensation you get from VW's DSG auto nor the outright smoothness you'll find in Toyota or Renault hybrid models, for example. You'll feel the occasional shudder through the driveline when speeding up, and find a slightly inconsistent feeling to the engine braking as the auto 'box drops you back through the ratios. A few adjustments to your driving will be enough to tune out the auto's shortcomings, however.

When we've tried this engine in other Stellantis products, it's been noticeably more vocal, sending a distinct three-cylinder thrum into the cabin even under light acceleration. Thankfully, this has been corrected in the C4 X with the engine barely making its presence felt during normal driving – only when you ask for maximum power are you rewarded with a distant grumble from under the bonnet. Refinement in general is pretty strong, with a little tyre roar at speed being the most noticeable noise.

We've briefly tried the electric e-C4 X, too. As you'd expect, refinement and smoothness take another leap forward, with the single-speed electric motor making it very easy to waft around effortlessly. Our test car was fitted with the lower-powered 136hp electric motor and 50kWh battery pack and, based on this, we'd be tempted to upgrade to the 156hp model and its 54kWh battery pack. This sees range jump from 222 to 260 miles, and the extra performance is welcome when accelerating on a motorway slip road.

Citroen has an admirable focus on comfort when so many rivals are obsessed with making their cars feel sporty. Key to this stated goal is the C4 X's Advanced Comfort Suspension – a fancy name for extra hydraulic dampeners in the car's bump stops. These are supposed to add an extra layer of absorption to help tune out road bumps.

Does it work? Well, yes and no. On smooth roads, the C4 X is wonderfully cushioned with the body gracefully flowing over surface undulations. However, the effect is somewhat spoiled when you hit a harsher bump like a pothole or expansion joint. In these instances, the suspension setup feels like it can't react quickly enough to the initial impact, sending it straight into the cabin, before bouncing around as it deals with the bump's aftermath. It's not enough to spoil the overall driving experience, but neither can it match the more grown-up compliance offered by something like the Skoda Karoq or Citroen's own C5 X.

Another drawback for certain drivers will be the C4 X's somewhat soggy handling, with the car simply leaning ever more violently towards the outside of a corner if you drive enthusiastically. The steering is accurate and light, which makes regular driving easy, but there's no sense of weight as you turn harder into a corner – again underscoring the fact this isn't a car you're going to relish driving.

Instead, simply embrace the Citroen's calm setup and easy controls, and you'll find the whole package comes together more cohesively. The light steering is easy to twirl with one hand, the soft springs and lounge seats are worlds away from more hyperactive rivals, and the tall seating position gives you a reassuring view of the world around you. Paired with the stronger 130hp engine and automatic gearbox, the C4 X is a pleasant and easygoing companion on the road.