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Citroën C4 Cactus 4x4 Review
C4 CACTUS REVIEW: Many experts would admit the Citroën C4 Cactus has found an untapped niche in the new car market. It muscles in with other similar crossovers like the Nissan Juke and the Dacia Duster.
The new sporty auto is a little short on history to create a detailed Citroen C4 cactus review. But, the nifty hatchback first got revealed to the public at the 2014 Geneva motor show.
Having said that, this car does not fail to inspire most drivers. It sits in the SUV range of affordability with practical features.
We have seen car reviews liken the Cactus to the seemingly ancient 2CV. In fact the C4 Cactus is not a direct successor to it, but it has some similarities.
Cactus is a curious name for a modern SUV. The most notable cactus-like design features are soft pads running down the flanks. Much like the spikes of the desert plant, the pads also function as a defence mechanism.
They do add a certain ruggedness to the Citroen hatchback. But, it lacks the typical raised ride height of most four-wheel drive offroad vehicles.
Citroen C4 Cactus Specifications
The C4 Cactus gets its power from the latest small cubic capacity engines. They may be small but they are modern and efficient engines.
Choose between the PureTech petrol engine and the BlueHDi diesel engine with Stop and Start.
In short, these engines consume less and are compliant with future Euro6 regulations.
The Citroën C4 Cactus is practical and pragmatic. It combines pleasure at the wheel with low running costs.
- Reduced CO₂
- Lower cost of ownership
- Reduced fuel consumption
Our road tester expects the 1.6-litre turbodiesel to be a big hit with Citroen buyers. It comes with a five-speed manual gearbox as standard. The gear shifting seems widely spaced, but you can drive through it without too much hindrance.
Citroen C4 Cactus Interior and Trim
The C4 Cactus car review looked inside the cabin and liked what we found. There is no denying it has excellent all-round visibility.
OK so not everyone will go a bundle on the styling of the Citroën C4 Cactus. But it's clear to see the hatchback got designed from the inside out.
The driver seat is wide and very comfortable if you compare it to the range of best small 4x4 cars. Forward visibility is superior and it has generous head space and ample elbow room.
The Citroen C4 Cactus has a low fascia with a glut of interesting design features.
The ritzy touches applied to the dashboard are certain to hold your attention.
A handy shelf is a smart new interior feature of the C4 Cactus interior. No doubt, most owners will use it to store their smartphone.
It boasts large door bins and a trendy button close to your right knee to activate the rear door child locks.
It might be wrong to expect soft-touch interior mouldings with a starting price under £13,000. But, many potential owners might quibble at the hard, scratchy plastics.
There are six trim variations on the C4 Cactus. The entry-level Citroen C4 Cactus Touch model is available with the lowest powered petrol engine only.
It has 15 inch steel wheels, cruise control, and a 7.0-in infotainment display. That comes complete with DAB radio and USB connectivity.
You get hill start assist, black trim parts, and 16 inch alloy wheels if you upgrade to the C4 Cactus Feel. The package also includes air conditioning and Bluetooth.
The C4 Cactus Flair interior trim gets a six speaker Arkamys stereo system, rear parking sensors, and sat nav. It also boasts reversing camera and climate control. Automatic wipers and lights, and heated door mirrors get added for this model.
Rating the Citroen C4 Cactus
We concluded the Citroen C4 Cactus road test with mixed impressions. It has a distinctive design and appearance on the outside. We found it hard to fault the smart and state-of-the-art equipment on the inside.
But, and yes there is always a 'but' with every car review. The C4 Cactus seemed less significant than others in its class. For example, the Nissan Qashqai surpasses most reviewers' list of 4x4 and Crossovers.
Let's take a moment to be most critical about the Citroen C4 Cactus. It is a charming and niche version of an oversized supermini. But, from a road test perspective, it is not great to drive.
In fairness, I guess we should add some substance to that comment. Minor improvements would help the clutch action, the gearshift, and the steering. So, to sum up the Citroen C4 Cactus review here are a few pluses and minuses.
Plus Points
- Lots of space for a hatchback
- Smart modern interior
- Sporty distinctive appearance
Minus Points
- A little imprecise on handling
- Expensive in comparison to others
- Some may dislike the cabin quality