Skip advert
Advertisement

Citroen C4 hatchback - Reliability & safety

No less than 20 driving aids help keep the C4 on track

Carbuyer Rating

4.1 out of 5

Owners Rating
Be the first to review
Reliability & safety Rating

4.0 out of 5

Pros

  • Comfortable
  • Generously equipped
  • Electric version available

Cons

  • Vague handling
  • Average boot size
  • No hybrid powertrains

The Citroen C4 holds the accolade of coming in first place overall in the latest 2023 Driver Power customer satisfaction survey, which ranks the top 75 cars in the UK. It scored well in all categories, but performed particularly well in the ride and handling category (third place), running costs (fourth place) and for reliability (fourth place). That said, Citroen is likely to be disappointed with its four-star score in Euro NCAP crash testing, meaning there are safer rivals out there.

Citroen C4 reliability

While the C4 is a new model for Citroen, it's based on the same underpinnings as the latest Peugeot 208 and 2008, along with the Citroen C3 Aircross. While those models are also fairly fresh, there haven't been any major reliability alarm bells so far. Citroen's 1.2-litre petrol and 1.5-litre diesel engines have also been very widely used, having proved reliable in other models. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

The fact that the C4 came in fourth place in the reliability section of the owners’ survey is very encouraging – in fact, just 14% of Citroen owners as a whole reported an issue with their car in the first year of ownership, which is less than Peugeot owners (16%) and on par with Lexus, a brand renowned for its dependability.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Overall, Citroen came 11th out of 32 brands in our 2023 Driver Power owner satisfaction survey – a marked improvement over its 28th-place result in 2021.

Safety

Citroen is very proud of the fact the C4 is available with 20 driving aids, which equals the number in the larger and more expensive Citroen C5 Aircross SUV. Along with safety features like autonomous emergency braking, they can also include Highway Driver Assist, which combines adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping technology to drive the car in its lane, so long as the driver keeps their hands on the wheel ready to take over at any time.

The C4 will also evaluate how the car is being driven to check the driver is alert, and suggest a break if they drive in a certain manner, or spend more than two hours at speeds over 43mph. Cameras and sensors can flag up road signs in the instrument display, monitor the car's blind spots and allow the headlights to switch between main and dipped beam automatically. 

Despite all these features, the C4 received a four-star score in Euro NCAP tests, missing out on a top result. It achieved 80% and 83% respectively in the adult and child occupant categories.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Which Is Best?

Cheapest

  • Name
    1.2 PureTech You 5dr
  • Gearbox type
    Manual
  • RRP
    £19,720

Most Economical

  • Name
    1.2 PureTech You 5dr
  • Gearbox type
    Manual
  • RRP
    £19,720

Fastest

  • Name
    1.2 PureTech You 5dr
  • Gearbox type
    Manual
  • RRP
    £19,720

Andy is Carbuyer's managing editor, with more than a decade of experience helping consumers find their perfect car. He has an MA in automotive journalism and has tested hundreds of vehicles.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Volkswagen ID.3 review - solid EV, but infotainment lets it down
Volkswagen ID.3 facelift UK
In-depth reviews
20 Nov 2024

Volkswagen ID.3 review - solid EV, but infotainment lets it down

The top 10 best family cars 2024
Best family cars
Best cars
1 Nov 2024

The top 10 best family cars 2024

New Audi A3 plug-in hybrid gets massive 88-mile electric range for under £40k
Audi A3 PHEV front quarter
News
15 Oct 2024

New Audi A3 plug-in hybrid gets massive 88-mile electric range for under £40k

Volkswagen Golf GTI review – the quintessential hot hatch
Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport front 3/4 tracking
In-depth reviews
15 Oct 2024

Volkswagen Golf GTI review – the quintessential hot hatch

Have You Considered

Toyota Prius review – desirable and efficient, but lacks boot space
Carbuyer Best Plug-In Hybrid Award – Toyota Prius
In-depth reviews
7 Nov 2024

Toyota Prius review – desirable and efficient, but lacks boot space

Honda Civic review – a great EV alternative
Best Hybrid: Honda Civic
In-depth reviews
19 Sep 2024

Honda Civic review – a great EV alternative

Most Popular

Car tax: VED rates and increases explained 2024/25
Car tax
Tips and advice
4 Nov 2024

Car tax: VED rates and increases explained 2024/25

New Renault 5 is here! Retro EV costs from just under £23k
Renault 5
News
19 Nov 2024

New Renault 5 is here! Retro EV costs from just under £23k

Ford EcoBoost engines: reliability, problems and should you buy one?
Ford Puma EcoBoost front
Tips and advice
5 Nov 2024

Ford EcoBoost engines: reliability, problems and should you buy one?

Tips & advice

View All
Car dashboard warning lights: what does each symbol mean?
Car dashboard symbols and meanings
Tips and advice
21 Oct 2024

Car dashboard warning lights: what does each symbol mean?

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps
Charging station
Tips and advice
23 Jul 2024

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?
PCP vs HP
Tips and advice
17 May 2022

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?

Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Tips and advice
21 Mar 2024

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Best cars

View All
Top 10 best car interiors
Peugeot 208 hatchback
Best cars
25 Jun 2021

Top 10 best car interiors

Top 10 best electric cars 2024
Best electric cars
Best cars
16 May 2024

Top 10 best electric cars 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024
The best cheap-to-run cars 2023
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024
Fastest hot hatchbacks hero
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024