Flair and function

With a reputation for innovative models such as the Traction Avant, 2CV and DS, Citroën marks a return to its engineering-led roots with the C4 Cactus.

‘Cactus. A succulent plant with a thick fleshy stem which typically bears spines, lacks leaves, and has brilliantly coloured flowers. Cacti are native to arid regions of the New World and are cultivated elsewhere, especially as pot plants.’

While the new C-segment crossover from Citroën has neither a thick fleshy stem or spines, it does have a wide range of brilliantly-coloured exterior finishes. Developed with style very much at the forefront if its engineering programme, the C4 Cactus is as radical on the outside as it ordinary underneath. Its polarising looks eclipse those of the popular Nissan Juke, but is the C4 Cactus more style than substance?

Ecological concept
Citroën’s new C4 family member takes its name from the C-Cactus concept from 2007. This ‘ecological’ concept was a hybrid diesel capable of 69mpg with CO2 emissions of 78g/km. With seven years between idea and reality, the cleanest production C4 Cactus comes very close to the cleanliness of that initial concept. The Blue HDi 100 with 15-inch wheels has an official mpg figure of 94.2, while emissions are rated at 82g/km. Even the range-topping Flair test car emitted just 89g/km of CO2, while theoretically capable of achieving 88.3mpg when riding on its 17-inch alloy wheels. Over the 289-mile test period a real-world average of 60mpg was recorded, which is still impressive, given the cut and thrust A-road and M25 nature of my daily 60-mile commute.

Part of this fuel economy thriftiness is down to the C4 Cactus’ lightweight material construction. Based on Citroën’s ‘PF1’ small car platform which underpins the C3 and DS3 superminis, the C4 Cactus is considered a Golf-sized C-segment car. The French company says that it’s around 200kg lighter than its C4 classmate, helped by its aluminium bonnet, smaller latest-generation Euro 6-compliant engines, and pop-out rather than wind-down rear windows. The panoramic sunroof with advanced heat protection and ‘Magic Wash’ wiper system (the front wiper jets are mounted on the wiper blade itself rather than on the bonnet and use half the amount of fluid) are also said to provide weight-saving benefits.

Avantgarde design
Just as with the concept from which it takes its name, the C4 Cactus has its fair share of avantgarde design details. The most talked about features are of course the ‘Airbumps’. These exterior panels are made from TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) and feature tiny air capsules which both absorb impacts and help prevent scratches. They can be specified in four colours which contrast with the ten vibrant body shades. Additional personalisation can be added with £50 colour-keyed mirror caps. KT14 AHF had a touch of menace about it with its £395 Shark Grey paintwork, £150 Stone Grey Airbumps and red mirror caps. Buyers can choose from a palette of 21 colour combinations, while sleek split-level headlamps and LED running lights take their cues from the C4 Picasso MPV.

It’s a similar story of design-led function on the inside. The dashboard appears to be a floating ‘shelf’ with a tablet mounted in the middle. In front of the passenger sits the ‘Top Box’, a top-opening glove box with a lid designed to look like high-end luggage and an 8.5-litre capacity. Leather straps are in‑laid from front to back, while matching leather straps held in by metal ‘buckles’ perform the function of door pulls. The 7-inch ‘Touch Drive’ tablet controls all the infotainment and vehicle functions, as well as the air-conditioning and ventilation controls, too. A flat instrument panel sits behind the steering wheel showing the absolute minimum driving information. It works well, only showing the driver exactly what is needed (speed, lights and wiper statuses and whether ‘Eco’ mode is activated).

Quality is a step up from Citroëns of old, with gloss black air vents contrasting nicely with the grey dappled plastic dash of the test car. The spacious cabin is a very comfortable place be. The front seats are sofa-like (but long in the squab for short people), while the LED mood lighting adds to the ‘designer’ ambience. The Airbump theme continues on the inside, with stitching on the seats and indents in the plastic door panels shaped the same as the air-filled capsules on the exterior panels. The £695 black and leather cloth pack adds a luxurious feel as does the £395 panoramic sunroof, which is specially treated to keep out harmful UV rays.

To drive, the C4 Cactus is as ordinary as its looks are extraordinary. The 98bhp 1.6‑litre Blue HDi diesel engine is a little gruff and rarely quietens down to a whisper. While road noise is kept to a minimum, wind noise is noticeable at speed. Performance is adequate rather than pacey (187lb ft of torque is developed at 1,750rpm) but this car isn’t meant to be a GTI. Accordingly, the ride is very comfortable and bumps are dealt with with very little fuss.

Yes, there’s some body roll in corners and the steering is a little numb, but overall, the C4 Cactus is a relaxed and composed companion.

Lower running costs
Citroën says that all of the weight-saving technologies contribute to lower running costs, reported to be up to almost 20 per cent less than ‘benchmark vehicles in the compact hatchback segment’. It also states that the low weight doesn’t wear out parts like brakes and suspension – as well as consumables such as tyres – quite so rapidly. While the latter has to wait a while before it can be quantified, a BIK rate of 14 per cent is competitive, and a price of £18,090 for the top‑line Flair in Blue HDi form represents good value for what’s on offer.

A Nissan Juke Tekna dCi 110 2WD emits 15g/km more, does 18mpg less, and while more powerful, costs £1,075 more. The Renault Captur Dynamique S MediaNav meanwhile is just £5 more expensive, but like the Juke, loses out to the C4 Cactus when it comes to fuel efficiency and emission numbers (78.5mpg and 95g/km respectively).

With a long-standing reputation for innovation and ‘quirkiness’, Citroën has offered very mainstream cars in the past few years. That may be about to change. The C4 Cactus marks a welcome return to the more innovative side of Citroën which is to be applauded. That this differentiation comes with modern and fuel‑saving technologies is the icing on the C4 Cactus-shaped cake.

But, the C4 Cactus is a divisive car – people either love it or hate it. Priced from £12,990 for the entry-level ‘Touch’ models, the avantgarde Citroën is cheaper than its regular C4 sibling (priced from £14,240), yet is both more stylish and cleaner.

Citroën is marketing the C4 Cactus with the ‘Stay Curious’ strapline. While it’s not as ground-breaking as Citroën’s illustrious past models – the 1934 Traction Avant, 1948 2CV or the 1955 DS – the C4 Cactus marks a step change for the French company.

Departures such as moving the passenger airbag to the roof, the innovative world‑first Airbump technology and cost‑effective ‘Magic Wash’ windscreen‑washing system, the French company is once again reaffirming its innovator roots.

Don’t stay curious – be brave and tackle the C4 Cactus: it’s very much a non‑prickly customer.

Citroën C4 Cactus Flair Blue HDi 100

ENGINE: 1,560cc, four-cylinder diesel
CO2: 89g/km
MPG (combined): 83.1
VED: Band A, £0
BIK: 14%
PRICE (OTR): £18,090 (including VAT, £20,525 as tested)