Citroen e-C4 X Review 2024

The Citroen e-C4 X is a niche proposition from the French brand, being a comfort-oriented electric vehicle with intriguing saloon-esque styling. Although it is bigger than the regular e-C4 hatchback version, the saloon-style boot opening does limit practicality.

Other electric vehicles are able to offer larger ranges, or deliver greater performance. However, the Citroen e-C4 X counters with a comfortable and relaxing driving experience, providing an effortless way to cover the miles between recharging. This is all experienced in one of the highest quality modern interiors Citroen has created.

If yet another electric SUV is not for you, the Citroen e-C4 X may be a leftfield alternative to consider.

When it comes to picking a Citroen e-C4 X, affordable prices mean that the entry-level version (now branded as ‘You’ trim) can be sidestepped. Instead, we prefer the mid-range Max version, which provides plenty of equipment and an extra hint of luxury.

The Max trim level comes with an interior finished in black leather and Alcantara (man-made suede), with the front seats being heated. Extra safety kit is included, along with an upgraded infotainment touchscreen with built-in satellite navigation.

Choosing a Citroen e-C4 X in Max trim means there is only one powertrain available. This is a 100kW electric motor driven by a 50kWh lithium-ion battery pack, and offering an official range of more than 220 miles.

As a high-riding saloon with all-electric power, the Citroen e-C4 X is something of a unique proposition.

However, while the e-C4 X has no direct competitor, there are a host of more conventional electric SUVs that might make your shortlist, such as the Hyundai Kona Electric, Kia Niro EV or even the Tesla Model 3. Naturally, the Citroen e-C4 is the most similar vehicle, being the hatchback version of the X saloon model.

If you like the combination of coupe-esque styling with a raised ride height, but are less bothered about pure electric power, the Renault Arkana comes in a full hybrid version.

Calling this the most upmarket modern Citroen interior may seem like damning the e-C4 X with faint praise, but it does demonstrate the progress the company is making.

Previous Citroen models have been rather light on quality, but the e-C4 X has plenty of soft-touch materials throughout its cabin. This certainly doesn’t elevate the e-C4 X into premium territory, but it improves the ambience for the driver and passengers. The DS Automobiles brand exists for those who want a genuinely upmarket Citroen experience.

Both Max and e-Series Citroen e-C4 X models come with a combination of Alcantara and leather trim for the interior, giving a tactile feel. The switchgear feels substantial and well-made enough to survive family life.

Go hunting around the lower parts of the cabin of the Citroen e-C4 X and you will find some cheaper plastics. However, this is common across most car manufacturers, so shouldn’t come as a surprise.

Despite the interior of the Citroen e-C4 X being one of the company’s more upmarket offerings, the infotainment system is arguably a bit low-rent by comparison.

All versions come with a central 10.0-inch multimedia touchscreen, which is supported by a 5.5-inch digital instrument display. The latter looks quite small, given the amount of space behind the steering wheel, and offers-up fairly basic information with no customisation options.

The central touchscreen is better, with slick graphics and a responsive display. Citroen’s own operating system takes some adjusting to, but at least Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity is standard across the Citroen e-C4 X range.

DAB radio and Bluetooth connectivity are also included, with all versions coming with at least one USB-C port. Fancier models benefit from multiple USB connections in the front and back, whilst e-Series cars come with wireless smartphone charging.

All but the entry-level Citroen e-C4 X You come with built-in satellite navigation, along with a head-up display for the driver. Voice commands and gesture control can be used on more upmarket versions.

The Citroen e-C4 X measures 4600mm in length, with a width of 1834mm. It stands 1525mm tall. This makes it a notable 240mm longer than the Citroen e-C4 hatchback, although both cars share the same wheelbase of 2670mm.

There is no hiding where the Citroen e-C4 X wears this extra bodywork, with the addition of its Fastback-style boot. Whereas the Citroen e-C4 hatchback has a boot capacity of 380 litres, the saloon trunk of the e-C4 X boosts space to a considerable 510 litres.

The boot shape is square, with room underneath the boot floor to store items such as charging cables. However, the saloon-style boot opening does limit practicality, making it more awkward to fit bulkier items inside.

Space for passengers is unencumbered in the front, with decent headroom and legroom, along with the supportive and comfortable seats.

In the rear, legroom is particularly generous, so the car can accommodate passengers with the longest of limbs. Conversely, the coupe-esque styling of the Citroen e-C4 X does eat into rear headroom. This won’t be a problem unless you regularly transport passengers over six-feet tall, but is something to keep in mind. There is a third centre seat, but this is best reserved for short journeys only.

Unlike some other electric SUVs, the Citroen e-C4 X does not have a front storage ‘frunk’ beneath its bonnet.

In terms of powertrain options for the e-C4 X, Citroen has kept things pleasingly simple. Unless you opt for the range-topping e-Series version, there is only one electric setup to consider.

The Citroen e-C4 X in You, Max and cheapest e-Series trim comes with a 100kW (136PS) electric motor. This drives the front wheels alone, and produces a relatively underwhelming 260Nm of torque. As a result, the Citroen e-C4 X 100kW accelerates from 0-62mph in a leisurely 10.0 seconds, without the urgency found in other electric vehicles.

To enjoy the more powerful 115kW (156PS) version of the Citroen e-C4 X, buyers need to pick the most expensive e-Series model. Combined with a larger 54kWh battery pack, this powertrain sees the 0-62mph time reduced slightly to 9.3 seconds.

Both versions of the Citroen e-C4 X have the same top speed of 93mph.

Engaging Sport mode does improve the electric motor’s responsiveness, but was is never intended to be a performance EV. Sheer speed is not the Citroen e-C4 X’s raison d'etre – instead, it is a more relaxing choice for everyday driving.

The Citroen e-C4 X is offered with a choice of two battery capacities, although both offer a relatively similar range.

You and Max versions of the Citroen e-C4 X come equipped solely with a 50kWh battery, while the fancier e-Series version uses this as a starting point. When fully charged, the 50kWh model is capable of delivering an official WLTP-certified driving range of between 221 and 223 miles.

Opting for the more powerful 115kW version of the Citroen e-C4 X e-Series sees the battery capacity increased to 54kWh. The result of this bigger power pack is an official WLTP range of up to 260 miles.

When designing the e-C4 X, Citroen has deliberately focussed on comfort and refinement instead of any sporting pretence. Combining this with all-electric power results in a high-riding saloon that is notably quiet to drive.

At motorway speeds the Citroen e-C4 X should be near-silent, save for a small amount of wind noise generated by its side mirrors. Along with the smooth suspension and comfortable seats, the only limitation on how far you can drive will be the battery range.

The Euro NCAP safety organisation has not yet crash-tested the Citroen e-C4 X, nor the internal combustion-powered C4 X. However, it did evaluate the related Citroen C4 hatchback, awarding it four stars out of five.

Citroen supplies the e-C4 X with a comprehensive amount of standard safety equipment. All versions come with active safety braking, speed limit warnings, lane-keeping assist, lane-departure detection, and forward-collision warning. These are in addition to a host of airbags, too.

Fancier versions gain radar-based active safety braking, traffic sign recognition, blind-spot detection and adaptive cruise control with a stop-and-go function.

Citroen has not always had the greatest reputation for reliability, and the latest Honest John Satisfaction Index confirms this to still be true. Citroen was ranked in the bottom 10 car manufacturers for reliability, finishing just below Mercedes-Benz and Ford.

Each Citroen e-C4 X comes with a three-year or 60,000-mile warranty as standard. There is separate cover for the lithium-ion battery, with Citroen guaranteeing it will retain 70 percent of its charge for eight years or 100,000 miles.

The Citroen e-C4 X starts off in group 22 (out of 50 groups in total) for insurance – that’s for both the You and Max versions, which make use of the 100kW electric motor.

However, even moving up to the fancier e-Series version of the Citroen e-C4 X, or picking the slightly more powerful 115kW motor, retains the same group 22 insurance rating.

Just like other battery electric vehicles, the Citroen e-C4 X is charged a zero rate of VED (road tax). You still need to remember to renew the VED each year, although there is nothing to pay.

For those considering the Citroen e-C4 X as a company car, it attracts a Benefit-in-Kind rate of 2 percent. For a 20 percent tax rate payer, this would mean a cost of £128 a month for the Citroen e-C4 X in You trim.

Value for money is one of the key attributes of the Citroen e-C4 X, and this is demonstrated by the relatively generous quantity of standard kit that comes included.

Citroen previously used a Sense, Shine and Shine Plus trim hierarchy, but this has now been revised. The Citroen e-C4 X You is now the entry-level version, but this is still comprehensively equipped. LED headlights, signature LED daytime running lights, 18-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels and tinted glass are all part of the package.

Cloth and leather ‘Chevron’ upholstery is used for the interior, with Ultra Emerald Green stitching. There is also a leather-wrapped steering wheel, 5.5-inch TFT instrument cluster, 10.0-inch infotainment touchscreen and a centre console with two cup holders. DAB radio, Bluetooth and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity are included as well.

You trim also comes with dual-zone climate control, rear parking sensors, automatic headlights and windscreen wipers, and keyless start and entry. Cruise control, a speed limiter, lane-keeping assist and forward-collision warning are part of the standard safety pack.

Moving up to the Citroen e-C4 X Max sees the addition of chrome trim for the window surrounds, body colour door handles, front and rear parking sensors, and a reversing camera. Intelligent main beam headlights are included, too.

The Max interior benefits from a deluxe leather steering wheel, heated front seats and upholstery in a combination of black Alcantara and leather.

There is also a head-up display and an upgraded 10.0-inch high-resolution infotainment screen with satellite navigation. Adaptive cruise control and upgraded safety pack feature as well.

Topping the Citroen e-C4 X range is the e-Series model. This brings 18-inch Onyx Black aeroblade alloy wheels and a black-painted roof.

Interior features include a heated steering wheel, a folding rear armrest with integral cup holders, wireless smartphone charging and a Highway Driver Assist package with stop-and-go cruise control.