Citroen C4 - Practicality, comfort and boot space

The C4 definitely receives plus points for returning to physical dials to operate the heating and air conditioning functions. Other Citroen models have located such functions within the infotainment system, making adjustments difficult while on the move. The head-up display that is standard on Max and e-Series trims allows the driver to view key information such as speed limits and navigation directions without taking their attention away from the road.

Interior storage is good, with useful door bins and assorted cubbies, while mid-range Plus includes a variable-height boot floor for a little extra versatility. Plus trim and above add a dash-mounted tablet holder for the front passenger, which folds away when unnecessary.

Size

The C4 has a bigger footprint than a typical family hatchback: for instance, it’s 76mm longer and 45mm wider than a Mk8 Volkswagen Golf. With overall dimensions of 4,360mm (length) and 1,834mm (width), the C4 is comparable to the Toyota C-HR, being just 5mm shorter than its Japanese rival.

Leg room, head room & passenger space

Space inside the C4 is good, with enough leg and headroom for four six-footers to comfortably sit, although squeezing an extra passenger in the middle rear seat would be better when undertaking shorter journeys. The C4 is perfectly adequate for family life, but consider its bigger C5 Aircross sibling if you need more space.

The requisite ISOFIX child seat mounting points are provided on the outer positions of the rear bench. They have fiddly zipped covers that are hard to remove, though.

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Boot

All Citroen C4s have a 380-litre boot, which lags behind the Mazda CX-30’s 430-litre load space. The C4 is more on par with a Volkswagen Golf or Ford Focus in its luggage-carrying ability. If you need to maximise practicality, you might be better off with the class-leading Skoda Octavia. Folding down the C4’s rear seats increases the luggage capacity to 1,250 litres. 

If you don't think the regular C4’s boot is big enough for your needs, the slightly longer C4 X may be a better fit. It has a 510-litre boot, which expands to 1,360 litres when you fold the rear seats down, although there is quite a pronounced step when you do.

Under the floor, the combustion-engined C4s have a wheel well, although we’re unsure why it does because a spare wheel isn’t even offered as an option.

Towing

The maximum braked towing capacity for the C4 is 1,200kg in 1.2 PureTech 130 and hybrid models (1,000kg for the PureTech 100), which isn’t as capable as some Ford Focus versions that offer up to 1,800kg, but easily outstrips the Toyota C-HR’s 725kg rating.