Read Caroline’s Citroen C4 Hybrid review for everything you need to know about buying Citroen’s new hybrid hatchback in 2025.
The Citroen C4 is one of Citroen’s bestsellers and has been reinvented many times. In its latest guise it’s sold as a C4 hatchback or C4 X saloon with a touch of crossover design to help stand out from the crowd.
The current generation of the C4 launched in Ireland in 2021 and now it’s time for an update. There’s been something of a design renaissance happening at the French car brand and the C4 is next in line.
The 2025 update also sees a shake-up of the range with diesel gone and a new C4 hybrid to join alongside the E-C4.
I was in Barcelona to drive it ahead of its launch in Ireland in the next few months.
Design
The latest C4 gets the new face of Citroen just like the new C3 and C3 Aircross. It’s quite a significant facelift and does wonders for the C4. Aside from a redesigned grille, the three point LED lighting adds character to the car and Citroen’s new brand logo appears for the very first time. The SUV-inspired silver skid plate gives a bit more attitude. Citroen’s new colour clips in black or gold appear in the front bumper, adding a neat touch of individualisation. New 18-inch alloy wheels with aerodynamic design also debut and come as standard across the range.
The C4 hatchback has quite a sleek profile and the rear of the car has an unusual design. It looks smart and classy for its segment and the new one’s updated rear lights look really good.
You, Plus and Max trims will be available for the C4 hatchback in the Irish market. There are also a few new colours like Manhattan Green and Mercury Grey. The two-tone paint option with contrasting black roof is still available.
Citroen C4 Interior
Updates inside are more subtle. The steering wheel now has the new logo and there’s also a new 7-inch digital instrument cluster available on top level Max versions.
Truth be told, the cabin is quite sombre compared to the outside with lots of hard plastics visible. But the Citroen ‘Advanced Comfort’ seats are a highlight and now have thicker foam. The 10-inch touchscreen is not the flashiest out there but it does the job and comes with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Chat GPT is also a new feature that acts like a digital assistant.
Standard features will include the touchscreen, rear parking sensors and automatic air conditioning. The Plus model will add a reversing camera, head-up display and electric heated and folding door mirrors. The range-topping Max adds front parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, blind spot detection, keyless entry and start, heated front seats and heated steering wheel.
Practicality
The rear seat feels very spacious for a compact hatchback and there’s enough legroom to stretch out a bit. The C4 hatchback’s 380-litre boot remains unchanged and is a competitive size for a compact hatchback. It also has a handy two position floor and side hooks for hanging bags. The C4 X does have a larger boot – 510 litres – but its saloon style opening can limit practicality.
Driving the C4 Hybrid
Citroen has used the 2025 update as an opportunity to refresh the line-up. There’s no more diesel or manual gearboxes. Buyers now have the choice of two battery sizes for the E-C4: 50kWh, 355km range and 54kWh, 415km range. There’s also the all-new C4 Hybrid with two states of tune – 100hp or 136hp.
The C4 Hybrid uses a 1.2-litre three cylinder petrol engine, small capacity battery and electrified six-speed automatic transmission to lower carbon emissions and improve fuel efficiency over a standard petrol engine. It can also drive in electric mode in town and city driving for up to 50% of the time.
It feels perky on the road and is not too noisy. Early indications are that it can deliver good real world efficiency, with fuel consumption of 5.3 litres per 100 kilometres during my test drive under the Spanish sun. It’s a very convenient hybrid in that it does not need to be charged to get the best efficiency from it. The battery can recharge during deceleration.
The C4 is supremely comfortable to drive thanks to Citroen’s Advanced Comfort suspension with progressive hydraulic cushions. It’s not the sharpest handling car with plenty of body roll in corners when you’re pushing on, but the front tyres grip well and it is very relaxing to drive.
Worth noting, the design of the rear of the car means that there is a bar splitting the rear windscreen that obscures your view out of the back of the car.
Citroen C4 Price
There’s no confirmation on price yet for the 2025 Citroen C4. But it’s expected that the hybrid and electric will come with a starting price under €30,000.
Verdict
The Citroen C4 is one of the perenials of the Citroen range and fills the gap for a stylish compact car but with a bit more attitude thanks to its crossover-inspired design. It definitely stands out as something different for the class and the facelift gives it a really attractive update. Inside changes are minimal and it doesn’t quite live up to the stylish exterior. But it’s comfortable and comes with many of the features drivers expect these days. The new hybrid looks to be a good match for the C4 offering a smooth, efficient drive and the convenience of an automatic. For that reason, the new Citroen C4 Hybrid feels like a pleasant upgrade and pricing should be sharp too.
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Written by Caroline Kidd
Founder and Editor of Changing Lanes, Juror for Irish Car of the Year
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