Nice car - shame about the dealer... (Citroën C4)

Member Name: bowmanmonk

Product:	Citroën C4
Date:	22/05/09 (186 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Reliable, economical, funky looks fun to drive

Disadvantages: Poor rear space. Indifferent dealership

I have been driving my C4 1.6 HDi "Cool" for just over a year with no real problems and I have enjoyed owning it. I have to say the Citroen dealer was rubbish. The car was supplied with the wrong numberplate fitted which I had to go back and get replaced, and the remote key was broken on delivery which meant that I spent the 1st month running round to the passenger side to let myself in. I would have been in trouble if the car was a lemon but it has behaved perfectly.

The 1.4 diesel has plenty of grunt which like most diesels comes low in the rev range. It gets a bit breathless above about 5 thousand revs but by then you have easily overtaken anything you need to. It is fun and involving to drive. I'm no boy racer but I don't hang about either and the car consistently gives an indicated 52-3 mpg (I have never corroborated that by working it out I can't be bothered). I am convinced a Miss Daisy could get to 60 mpg.

The dash has the real wow factor with the big central speedo and the fixed boss wheel; new passengers always have a little look and poke round when they get in. I like the steering wheel controls but I did mistake the + on the cruise control with the + on the sterio early on, which gave me a bit of a "moment" on the M4 but that was my fault not the car's. The only real criticism is the lack of rear leg room. I am only 5'8" but passengers behind me complain of feeling cramped. There are plenty of little holes to stash your stuff in the front, from seat side bins to door bins and swish little trap door cubby holes in the dash - a good job because with the manual in the glove compartment there is no room for anything else.

The "Cool" bit denotes a special edition with dual zone aircon for each of the front occupants. I would not have paid extra for it but the Cool edition was being phased out and sold at a a bargain price; the tricksy aircon is great and prevents some of the usual arguments over the temperature in the car. It is pretty well equipped, the cruise control is standard on all models. The built in air freshener is a bit of a gimmick and the inserts will cost you a fortune from Citroen; you will end up with a little green pine tree like everyone else

Overall a good reliable mid size car which in my opinion looks much better than the opposition in the class (except maybe the Civic) and does everything I need it to do.

Summary: The best small family car for the money.

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