LAOIS MOTORING: New Citroen e-C4 X EV puts comfort as a priority

Citroen claim the new e-C4 X is a car for those who want a four door saloon but with the lines of a fastback and the practicality of an SUV. 

In reality it is the C4 but with a different rear section which offers a cavernous boot and bags of rear legroom. The rear seats are more reclined and it boasts a whopping 198mm of seat room while its width means three can sit in comfort side by side. Though it’s a saloon it does look more like a fastback. 

The launch model is an EV which I am road testing here but petrol and diesel models will follow. Pricing is attractive starting at €39,967 with four grades available, Feel Pack, Feel Pack, Flair and Flair Pack.

The model on test here is the top of the range Flair Pack.

First Impressions

The Overall style shares match with the C4 until you get towards the rear of the car where it becomes obvious that it looks quite a bit longer than the hatchback. Basically they have given it the style of a hatchback but its actually a booted saloon. 

I think it looks well, the front end is its better angle though I am less convinced about the view looking directly at the rear. 

What’s it like inside?

Pretty good actually. The cabin is generally well finished though you don’t have to look far to find some rather hard cheap looking plastics. The seating which in my test car was clad in attractive leather and Alcantara with deviated stitching looks and feels top class and proves very comfortable with electric adjustments. 

I liked the driving position and the somewhat simple digital instruments are clear and easy to read.

The cabin is really very roomy, with plenty of head and legroom both front and rear. The rear deserves particular praise as it is spacious and will seat three adults side by side if necessary. The boot too is cavernous so this is a car that will suit those needing plenty of space for passengers and luggage.

Standard equipment on the Flair Pack is comprehensive, highlights of which include, a panoramic roof, a drivers head up display, adaptive cruise control with stop and go function, lots of driver safety alerts, wireless charging, multiple USB ports, heated seats, folding mirrors and so forth. It’s well kitted out.

What’s under the bonnet?

Well its an EV so we have a 100kW motor producing 136 bhp powered by a 50kW battery. Claimed range is 360km from 100% but in reality I got closer to 290km as I was on the motorway quite a bit. The car comes with a 7.4kW single phase on board charger for ease of plugging into a standard domestic socket. Charge time is claimed at 6 hours from 0 to 80% using this or about 30 minutes from a 100kW DC fast charger.

There are three drive modes, Normal, ECO, and Sport but frankly I did not notice any great difference between them. Performance is not of the usual neck snapping EV type but a somewhat more sedate affair, however its in keeping with the cars character, built for comfort not speed.

What’s it like to drive?

The new e-C4 X shares many of its virtues such as comfort and refinement with its sibling hatchback C4. Its a comfortable cruiser and equipped with Citroen’s “progressive hydraulic cushion” suspension it really has a best in class level of ride comfort.

Hugh’s Verdict!

The market for saloons has dwindled considerably in recent years with SUV’s and hatchbacks taking over the top spot so it remains to be seen if buyers will go for a saloon.

The Flair pack model on test costs a not inconsiderable €45,160 but if comfort and space is what your looking for in an EV, the e-C4 X has it all in abundance.