Some might categorise the C4 X as a crossover-saloon but whatever it is, the 4.6-metre long four-door occupies a niche in the market. Wheel-arch cladding lends it an unusual appearance, while the curvy rear suggests this is a hatchback, which it is not. Instead, there is a top-hinged boot and within the cargo bay, 510 litres of luggage capacity. Tip the seats forwards and this expands to 1,360 litres.
Emphasis on comfort
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This is quite a roomy and comfortable car. The emphasis in its development was clearly placed on soft suspension and oodles of space for up to five occupants. And while the X is 240 mm longer than the C4, each has a 2,670 mm wheelbase, all the additional length being aft of the rear doors. Positioning is above the C4 and below the C5 X crossover, which is 4,800 mm long.
Both hatchback and saloon have the same dashboard, seats and so on, which means lots of physical switches and dials. That includes the heating and cooling functions while the steering wheel has a lot of real buttons too. The spacious nature of the C4 X also extends to door bins and central cubby while there are two gloveboxes.
Revealed two years after C4’s 2020 debut
Announced two years ago well in advance of the start of the production, nothing has changed in terms of the interior or exterior appearances. There has however been quite a lot of news when it comes to powertrains. A reminder first off that the C4 X has an electric counterpart, as does the C4, these being the ë-C4 and ë-C4 X.
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By GlobalDataInitially, Stellantis planned for these cars to be available in the UK and certain other countries almost exclusively as EVs. However, buyers, particularly fleet ones, wanted more options so the line-up was expanded. And that was a clever move given the cooling of demand for electric cars in many major markets. Last month for example, registrations of EVs fell by 31 per cent in Germany year-on-year according to VDA data (Tesla was hit especially hard, plunging by 64 per cent).
Powertrain choices
The ë-C4 X was launched with a 100 kW (136 PS) and 260 Nm motor plus a 50 kWh (nominal) battery. Meanwhile, combustion-engine variants initially came in turbocharged 1.2-litre three-cylinder PureTech (petrol) or 96 kW (131 PS) and 300 Nm 1.5-litre four-cylinder BlueHDi (diesel) forms. PureTech power still comes with the choice of 74 kW (101 PS) and 205 Nm or 96 kW (131 PS) and 230 Nm outputs.
Not that long ago, a more powerful electric option was added, that being a 115 kW (156 PS) motor. Torque is the same 260 Nm while the capacity of the battery is 54 kWh gross/51 kWh net. This has been supplemented by another electrified alternative, that being the C4 X Hybrid.
And now a (mild) hybrid too
Stellantis’ well-known 48V system features in the (mild) Hybrid, the 1.2-litre engine producing 100 kW (136 PS) and 230 Nm supplemented by a 21 kW and 55 Nm motor. The new MHEV is the only variant to have a six-speed DSG, others coming with either eight-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmissions.
Offering so much choice is something of a masterstroke, especially when the company and Citroën in particular has multiple models in the 4.3-4.8 long C and D segments. Shared platforms, powertrains and production lines equal big savings and likely profits too, given the high pricing of the electrified cars, crossovers and SUVs.
Built in Spain for all markets
Every C4 and C4 X no matter the propulsion system, shares a production line at the Villaverde plant in Madrid. This is also the sole production location for these models, both of which are based on what had once been the PSA EMP1 platform. The current evolution is Common Modular Platform and eCMP for the electrics.
In spite of the crossover looks, the C4 X is two-wheel drive, the AWD versions of CMP and eCMP being reserved for the likes of the Jeep Avenger and Alfa Romeo Junior. And the exterior appearance has been purposefully designed to offer something unusual in the C/D segment, details including matte-black wheel arches and side skirts as well as Airbump elements with coloured portions.
Conclusion
The C4 X is an unusual model, particularly now that it can be ordered with petrol or diesel power, as well as the mild hybrid and EV options. The overall feel of the car is one of simplicity, ease of operation and comfort, which combine to create a niche that Citroën has pretty much to itself. In short, this is as close as it gets to a typically French family model from the 1990s, 2024-style. And that’s a very good thing.
As-tested, the Citroën C4 X BlueHDi 130 S&S EAT automatic in Max trim is priced from GBP28,450. Top speed is 128 mph, 0-62 mph takes 10.8 seconds, WLTP CO2 is 128 g/km and Combined economy is 53.3-60.4 mpg.
