New Citroën ë-C4 X – utility, comfort, a pinch of avant-garde

I still remember the times when it was a big event when Citroën presented a new model. Not only does that seem a long time ago, it actually is. I can think of the XM, maybe the C6 too. Then what? Difficult. Naturally, you can read less about new cars here. But I find the new Citroën ë-C4 X interesting. It brings a little avant-garde into the otherwise not so exciting compact or middle class.

New Citroën ë-C4 X
New Citroën ë-C4 X

Some get diesel - the other electric cars

It also has an (unintended) touch of Polestar, and if it had any other feature it would even end up on my list. Apart from that, the strategy that Citroën is pursuing is a bit special. The new ë-C4 X contribution is available, attention - technology openness - with different drive types. Every market should get what it (probably) might prefer.

No, not a Citroën, a Polestar 2. Is the resemblance a coincidence?
No, not a Citroën, a Polestar 2. Is the resemblance a coincidence?

The new one with the double chevron reveals itself as an electric car with the “ë”. Which it will be mandatory in Germany and Austria, for example, but not in other countries. There the compact will also be available with conventional drives, such as the well-known good diesel engines. The modular system on the CMP platform makes it possible to serve local preferences.

But Germany, subsidized by the state, is the leading market for electromobility.

As a result, the Germans don't get diesels or petrol engines, and they don't even get a hybrid. Only an electric drive will be available for the German market. This is the desired future that today's buyers must contend with.

The new Citroën comes to Germany purely electrically
The new Citroën comes to Germany purely electrically

Well-known technology awaits beneath the interestingly designed bodywork. The 100 KW drive should bring a range of 360 kilometers according to WLTP. The 30 kWh battery with 50 volt technology can be charged up to 400% in just 80 minutes. The ë-C4 top speed is a sufficient 150 km/h, the Citroën produced in Spain will accelerate to 9,7 km/h in 100 seconds.

This makes it clear that no e-sports car from the Tesla League is rolling here. But, judging by the first preliminary data, a pleasingly effective and probably affordable electric car that can garner sympathy with low consumption, high utility and the high level of comfort that is typical of Citroën.

That's nice, and after all, that's what a Citroën is all about.

A touch of avant-garde

The new C4 X, with or without ë, enriches the middle class. The mixture of sedan and SUV, a modern crossover, has not reinvented the brand. The Swedish-Chinese Polestar 2 salutes what is a recognized reference for design. The result itself suits the brand.

The design exudes a touch of avant-garde
The design exudes a touch of avant-garde

Another sedan or a conventional SUV, that would probably have been too predictable.

The ë-C4 X will be anything but inconspicuous when it hits the streets from 2023. A touch of avant-garde and sporty dynamics as well as a lot of inner values ​​make the new release interesting. It's supposed to be the mix that matters.

On the Citroën-exclusive credit side are the unusually casual Advanced Comfort seats, which in connection with the Advanced Comfort suspension do not bring back the hovering of earlier times, but are intended to ensure comfort-oriented driving. I already liked the combination from the Berlingo, in the ë-C4 X they will hardly disappoint.

For refinement, the massage function of the seats is optional, and an Alcantara soft-touch interior, also available as an option, is intended to further enhance the pleasant feeling of warmth, comfort and quality in the interior.

The brand obviously does everything it can to ensure that the feel-good factor of old age can be experienced again. Citroën core values ​​that are pleasantly special.

Large trunk opening - easy to load. But no tailgate
Large trunk opening - easy to load. But no tailgate

The ë-C4 X rear sets visual accents. The brand's marketing people speak of a fastback, Germans see a hatchback here and Swedes probably see a semi-station wagon. Which doesn't quite fit. The Citroën does not offer the large tailgate that you might expect from the silhouette.

It has ample 510 liters of storage space and the brand strategists promise easy access, but it stays with a vile trunk lid.

Intelligent little things are typically Citroën

Of course, Citroën still surprises today with one or the other peculiarity. The time of ingenious magnifier speedometers and some quirks is over, but a pinch of individuality has been preserved. In the current C4 series it is the "Smart Pad Support". A cleverly integrated holder for iPad and other tablets on the passenger side, which allows for relaxed working or streaming while driving. A tribute to the digital age.

A real plus is the high utility value of the many intelligent shelves, the press release speaks of up to 16 pieces that are distributed in the car. This adds 39 liters of additional storage space, and a drawer on the passenger side with an anti-slip surface is used to safely transport fragile items.

It's these little things that bring the ë-C4 X sympathy points. A large tailgate - yes, it would have been nice. Just like the old days, like the XM. When there was a tailgate plus a second rear window. For comfort reasons. But that would be a whole different story.

With images from Citroën (Stellantis) and Polestar

14 Comments
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F Weber
F Weber
1 year before

It's interesting how much the lemon theme moves people here. The new car department seems to be good for the blog!

long-term car driver
long-term car driver
1 year before

I don't think it's that bad at all. The Citroënists keep the batteries small, so the weight of the cars remains low and the power consumption down. This range arms race with huge batteries that are extremely heavy is pretty sick. At least they stay out.

Gosh
Gosh
1 year before

I find that front light assembly pretty creepy. Just like the new 7 Series! Why are you doing this??

long-term car driver
long-term car driver
1 year before
Reply to  Gosh

This is the fashion, LED technology makes it possible. So you do it.

Ken Daniel
1 year before

You would have to see it live, but at first I thought I was seeing something identical to a Renault Arkana

F Weber
F Weber
1 year before

With a particularly pronounced level of comfort, Zitron would at least meet my expectations of the brand. I think the orientation is smart, because how will electric cars differ in the future? It can only be the design and the "feel good" in the car itself. It is a pity, however, that there will only be the car with the plug for D and A.

Btw: There is still the big C5 X. Do you also write something about it?

Freising86
Freising86
1 year before
Reply to  Tom

I would be interested too!

Volvoab Driver
Volvoab Driver
1 year before
Reply to  F Weber

510 liters of luggage space is opulent in this vehicle class. In addition, the elegant restraint in driving performance - ultimately the consumption of resources.

I don't find much to complain about there. The ë-C4 X seems to me to be a contemporary, likeable offer. Chapeau.

A number of Saabs were built with smaller trunks, which didn't go from 0 to 100 as quickly and were still good cars in their day. I like that the ë-C4 X was placed on the wheels with a healthy sense of proportion.

Christian Arndt
1 year before

Hmmmm......no, I don't understand the design of Citroën and Peugeot at the moment. the many beads striving away in different directions make the appearance uneasy. But that is currently also difficult with other providers. Beefy body, huge wheels add to the frown factor for me.
The one with the trunk lid, however, is a nice borrowing from the Citroën GS. It also only had one lid, it became a real trunk lid when the hatchback was revised, when it mutated into the GSA. Maybe something will come later with the C4 X.

F Weber
F Weber
1 year before

I think that German providers are much more restless and provocative. You have to see the C4 X 2023 in person, that's clear, but the design is a plus for me.

Saab Paule
Saab Paule
1 year before

A large tailgate would have looked really good on the C4 X, but I still think the design is successful. SAAB would probably bring similar crossover designs onto the market today, and no brand can escape the trend.

Naturally and naturally with a large tailgate, that goes without saying. And with a synthetic turbo sound for the traditionalists 😉