The Citroën ë-C4 was first introduced for the 2021 model year as a Citroën C4 based on the current Stellantis-sourced electric platform. This EV platform is used for many other Stellantis cars such as the Citroën e-Berlingo, the Citroën e-Spacetourer, and many other Peugeot, Opel/Vauxhall, and Fiat cars. So, is Citroën ë-C4 a good car?
If you are after a stylish family electric crossover/SUV, the Citroën ë-C4 is actually a really good choice. Powertrain-wise, it gets a familiar battery with decent range and enough power. Citroën is one of those brands known for making striking-looking cars which means that the ë-C4 is a good-looking car inside and out.
The driving experience is comfortable and relaxed, but the ë-C4 can also hold its own in the corners as well. Reliability-wise, it is still a bit too early to tell if the ë-C4 is reliable or not because it is so fresh. Either way, we are going to mention certain issues that do seem to be common with the ë-C4 and other cars based on the Stellantis platform.
The starting price of the ë-C4 is relatively high, but that is to be expected as it is an EV. Practicality is really good as the ë-C4 offers enough seating space for four adults and a relatively spacious trunk. We do need to mention that the ë-C4 does not offer a front trunk.
Citroën ë-C4 – The Powertrain
With a 50kWh battery, the ë-C4 offers around 218 miles of range theoretically, but the real-world range is closer to 200 miles which is also a really good result. The ë-C4 gets a single engine configuration over the front wheels which means that it is a permanent FWD car with 136hp and 191lb-ft of torque. 0-60mph takes around 9 seconds while the top speed is 93mph/150kph.
You can recharge the ë-C4 from 20% to 80% in a little over 23 minutes if you are able to find a 100kW DC fast charger. On the other hand, slow AC home socket charging takes around 5 hours for the same amount of charge. All in all, you can expect to get around 70 miles of range in about 10 minutes of fast charging.
All in all, the Citroën ë-C4 powertrain is adequate. Maybe a 70kWh+ model would be a good choice for a top-end model, but this is more than enough for most people.
Citroën ë-C4 – Design and Driving
The ë-C4 looks daring, youthful, and quirky which is exactly what most people expected Citroën to do. The front lights make a really attractive and authentic X-shape and the body looks like something between a coupe-SUV and a regular family crossover. The interior is also nicely appointed with everything you need.
Driving-wise, the ë-C4 is comfortable, smooth, and well-isolated which makes it perfect for both long-distance and short-distance journeys. It is not a car designed for performance, but thanks to a relatively low center of gravity, the ë-C4 can hold its own in the corners.
Citroën ë-C4 – Reliability and Common Issues
Because the Citroën ë-C4 first saw the light of day a few months ago, we can’t gauge how reliable it truly is, but we can expect it to be similar to existing Stellantis-based EVs and other Citroën models. However, the ë-C4 was already recalled once due to certain problems with the rear coil springs. It seems like these can fall off the car and cause an accident.
Other potential issues include problems with the seat belts, the A/C, the equipment, and the steering system. The Stellantis 50kWh platform has proven to be fairly dependable, and if all the previous models are anything to go with, the ë-C4 should be fairly reliable long-term.
Citroën ë-C4 – Value and Practicality
An entry-level ë-C4 is going to run you somewhere around €40,000 while higher-trim models will add a few thousand euros on top of that. Used values seem to be fairly stable at the moment, but that is likely because the ë-C4 is still a relatively fresh car.
As far as space is concerned, the ë-C4 is a really spacious car at the rear, but the front seat space is not as large. The trunk space is really good, but the lack of a front trunk is certainly a drawback in this segment where many cars come with a front trunk.
FAQ Section
Should I buy a Citroën ë-C4?
If you are after a family car and you want to save the environment while at it, the Citroën ë-C4 is a really good choice. A €40,000 starting price is not something you’d expect from a Citroën, but we can say that the ë-C4 is worth it.
On the other hand, if you are not all that interested in living with an electric car, then the €40,000 price tag might be a bit too much. If you are able to, you should test drive the ë-C4 and see if it truly is a car you can live with.
Is the Citroën ë-C4 a luxury car?
The Citroën ë-C4 might be fairly well-equipped with all the necessary technology and safety features, but luxury EVs are something completely different. We can confidently state that the ë-C4 bridges the gap between economy-level and luxury EVs.
Luxury EVs tend to be a lot more polished than the ë-C4 while also costing a whole lot more money. If you go for the ë-C4 you are likely going to like it. However, if you are used to driving luxury cars, the ë-C4 might feel a bit too ordinary.
Is a 50kWh battery enough for a daily driver?
Well, it depends. If your daily commutes aren’t longer than a few dozen miles per day, then the ë-C4 is more than enough. These cars aren’t really designed for long-distance journeys as that will require you to recharge the ë-C4 really often.
Either way, if you keep your car in the garage, and you have a power socket readily available, then a 50kWh battery is more than enough. The idea is to always keep the car plugged in while it is parked in your garage. However, keeping it around 80% of charge is likely the best for long-term battery health.