Review – Renewed Citroën e-C4 and Citroën e-C4 X (2023)

Citroën also has big electrification plans. Perhaps one of the most important newcomers is the all-new and all-electric Citroën C3, to be unveiled later this month. However, Citroën also has plenty of news that can be ordered right now. For example, the Citroën e-C4 and Citroën e-C4 X are now available with an updated powertrain, which is more powerful as well as offering a longer range.

Citroen e-C4 is important model

For Citroën, the e-C4 is an important model. Not only does the Citroën C4 operate in one of the most popular market segments, but the number of all-electric models is rapidly increasing. Of all C4 models sold in Europe this year so far, 27% are the all-electric Citroën e-C4. In fact, for the recently added Citroën e-C4 X, this share is already 39% of the C4 X’ sold.

Citroën e-C4 and e-C4 X with improved powertrain

The Citroën e-C4 and Citroën e-C4 X are already available as EV 50kWh. New is the EV 54kWh, which you can think of as an upgraded version of the existing powertrain. As the type name suggests, the new variant features a slightly larger battery pack. That’s not all. The electric motors also received an update. System power is now 115 kW (156 hp), up from 100 kW (136 hp) for the existing model.

On the production side, the new battery also offers advantages. In proportion, a much higher proportion of the battery consists of nickel (now 80%), which means less is needed of the relatively rare raw materials manganese and cobalt. Furthermore, a very conscious decision was made not to make the new battery much larger. The 54 kWh battery offers an ideal balance between ample range and not too heavy a battery weight, according to Citroën. The Citroën e-C4 with new battery weighs 1,561 kg (registration weight), compared to 1,526 kg for the 50 kWh variant. The Citroën e-C4 X is barely above that at 1,584 kg versus 1,559 kg.

Increased range for Citroën e-C4

In addition to the slightly larger battery, the overall efficiency of the powertrain has also been improved. Despite the extra power, the new Citroën e-C4 EV 54kWh has an average WLTP consumption of 14.9 kWh/100 km, compared to 15.3 kWh/100 km for the 50 kWh variant. That translates into a much greater range. In fact, the new 54 kWh will travel 415 km, compared to 357 km for the “old” model. The Citroën e-C4 X has a fractionally longer range: up to 418 km (all WLTP values), thanks to its improved streamline.

Renewed Citroën e-C4 in practice

Of course, we also test the new variant in practice for a while. Citroën has created a varied route in the hilly surroundings of Paris. The route mainly passes through villages (i.e.: urban traffic) and on a few country roads. So the highway is missing, but we do get a nice picture of practical consumption.

We left with full battery, with the on-board computer indicating a total range of 420 km. Exactly the WLTP value. After the 31 km ride, we have 386 km left, or 34 km of range has been consumed. Practical consumption comes to 13.0 kWh/100 km, compared to the factory specification of 14.9 kWh/100 km. The mostly urban route (read: lots of energy recovery when decelerating) obviously helps in a positive sense, but they are still neat values.

Other than that, you don’t notice much of the extra 20 hp in practice, or you would have to drive both variants in direct succession. In either case, you have more than enough power at your disposal. Furthermore, the updated Citroën e-C4 still offers the very fine and comfortable driving characteristics it already had.

Prices updated Citroën e-C4 and Citroën e-C4 X

The Citroën e-C4 with updated powertrain is available for immediate order. For now, this new variant will be delivered alongside the existing version. In this regard, the outgoing model represents the more advantageous alternative, with a starting price of 37,830 euros versus 39,830 euros for the new model. These prices apply to the e-C4. The e-C4 X has a modest additional price of 850 euros in both cases.

The Citroën C4 X

The Citroën C4 X was added to the C4 lineup as an additional body variant in 2022. We briefly recap what the model has to offer. Technically, the Citroën C4 X is completely identical to the C4 hatchback. The C4 X is simply a sedan version of the regular C4. That does make it a sedan that sits a little higher on its wheels. The Citroën C4 X is primarily the slightly more practical alternative to the hatchback. The luggage compartment opening is a bit smaller due to the sedan lid, but it does fit 510 liters of luggage, compared to “only” 380 liters in the C4 hatchback.

Another difference is that the rear seat of the Citroën C4 X is fractionally more reclined than that of the Citroën C4. This benefits both headroom and seating comfort. Other than that, the extra luggage space is the only difference between the two models, although as mentioned, the sedan’s better streamline does also provide a slightly greater range.

Usually compact sedan models are not so popular in our part of Europe, but Citroën Netherlands expects that about 30% of Dutch customers will still choose the more practical C4 X. The model is particularly interesting for the business market; there is already great interest from the cab industry, for example.

Furthermore, like the regular C4, the Citroën C4 X is also available with gasoline engines. Initially, the Citroën C4 X was supposed to come to our country only as an all-electric e-C4 X, but Citroën has backtracked on that. Not because there is not enough demand for the electric version, but precisely because it is also in high demand in other countries. By also offering the fuel models here, Citroën can better distribute production capacity across Europe.