Citroën e-C4: what the critics say about the ‘distinctive and stylish’ model

This family hatchback is an “impressive new addition” to the electric car market, says Car Magazine. Whereas the old C4 model was a “forgettable” version of its rival, the Ford Focus, the e-C4 is “the most individualist family car” to enter the Citroën mix since the 1970s. It looks almost identical to the petrol and diesel version, making it ideal for those who want to go electric “without shouting about it”.

The car has the bonus of being at once “high-tech” and unintimidating, says The Daily Telegraph. With a focus on “practicality”, it sits nicely between a fashionable coupé and a robust SUV, but isn’t so flashy that it will scare off traditional family-car buyers. With “pronounced” wheel arches, scalloped front doors and bonnet and a refined interior, this model is genuinely distinctive and stylish.

By combining an electric model with a coupé SUV, this car has certainly tapped into “the zeitgeist”, says What Car?. But it’s not the best long-distance vehicle money can buy. With a 134bhp motor and 50kWh battery, it’s got a “real-world” mileage of just 139, and relatively slow acceleration (0-60mph in 9.0secs), so it lags well behind the Volkswagen ID.3. Still, it makes for a “soft, cushioning” ride.