Citroen C4 hatchback - Interior & comfort

Striking a middle ground in quality terms, the Citroen C4's interior doesn't compete with top cars in the class but there are just enough soft-touch materials to stop it from feeling cheap. Harder plastics are textured to give them a more attractive appearance, while piano black pieces of trim look good at first but prove to be magnets for scratches, fingerprints and dust.

On a lighter note, it seems like Citroen has put a lot of thought into the ergonomics of the C4’s cabin; the rotary dials for the climate controls are much easier to operate than having to delve into the touchscreen, while there’s a pull-out tray above the glovebox, designed to hold a tablet device.

Another complaint we have is that the interior of our Sense test car was rather dark; it’s a shame that Citroen doesn’t offer any colour packs – a lá those offered in the Citroen Ami electric city car.

Citroen C4 infotainment and navigation

Citroen has updated the C4’s 10-inch infotainment system for 2023 with new software. Mounted on top of the dashboard, the central touchscreen offers sharp graphics and is incredibly responsive to your inputs. The update for 2023 added customisable widgets on the home screen, while DAB radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto all come as standard – Plus cars and above also get built-in connected navigation.

Nestled behind the steering wheels is a small, 5.5-inch TFT instrument cluster; this feels a bit petite and lacking in features and probably should have been reserved for base-spec cars. Rivals such as the Volkswagen Golf have much larger displays that can be configured to show information such as your sat-nav directions.

Equipment

In September 2023 the C4’s trim range was condensed to You, Plus and Max. An additional e-series trim was also introduced exclusively for the electric e-C4 model. Even the entry-level You has a competitive level of kit, with rear parking sensors, plus the aforementioned 10-inch touchscreen and digital dials. Plus adds items including a head-up display, rear-view camera and connected navigation.

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Max is the most lavish trim, with convenience features such as adaptive cruise control and keyless entry, along with design upgrades like diamond-cut 18-inch alloy wheels and rear tinted glass.

Options

Most trims come with enough kit that ticking options boxes shouldn't be compulsory, but there is a selection of extras. A sunroof can be added for £800, while colour packs can be added for £150 to personalise the C4's exterior in certain trims. Metallic paint costs around £550, while a heated steering wheel can be added to the top trim for just £50.