Citroën e-C4 X Electric: Beauty in the Details

The Citroën e-C4 X Electric gets a subtle yet savvy refresh, proving evolution can be just as compelling as revolution. While rivals like the Renault 5 chase retro charm, this French crossover doubles down on comfort and quiet tweaks – with mixed results.

Design: Subtle but Sharper

Gone is the old face, replaced by slimmer LED “eye” slits that align with Citroën’s new design language. The rear? A modest nip-and-tuck.

Though hardly groundbreaking, the update lends a cleaner, more contemporary stance. Call it petite sophistication – a gentle nudge toward modernity without losing that Gallic flair.

Powertrain: Stuck in Neutral

Under the hood, déjà vu: the 54 kWh battery (good for 427 km WLTP) and 156 HP motor carry over. Charging remains a weak spot – 100 kW DC peaks mean 35 minutes for 5-80%, while 11 kW AC home charging takes 5.5 hours.

Blame the aging CMP platform, now lagging behind 400V rivals. Efficiency sees a token bump (14.6 kWh/100 km claimed), though real-world tests hit 18.4 kWh/100 km on mixed terrain.

Drive: Comfort First, Speed Second

0-100 km/h in 9.1 seconds and a 150 km/h cap won’t thrill speed demons, but Citroën’s magic lies elsewhere. Thicker seat padding (+15 mm) and Advanced Comfort suspension – with hydraulic bump stops – glide over potholes like a Parisian on cobblestones.

Noise insulation? Impeccable. Even the coupé-like roofline spares headroom, accommodating 1.85m passengers.

Cargo Quirks & Visibility Blues

A 510-liter trunk (1,360 liters folded) impresses, but the tiny loading aperture and unlined underfloor – prone to sun glare in the rearview – hint at cost-cutting.

The standard 360-degree camera saves the day, compensating for the rear spoiler’s blind spots.

Tech: Half-Step Forward

The dashboard gains a 7-inch digital cluster (up from 5.5”), while the 10-inch touchscreen stays. Wireless Apple/Android Auto and ChatGPT integration can’t mask clunky menus and dated graphics. At least analog climate controls remain—a tactile win in a touchscreen world.

Verdict: Comfortably Middle-of-the-Road

Priced from €34,800, the e-C4 X Electric charms with pillowy rides and quiet cabins but stumbles on tech and charging. For city slickers prioritizing serenity over speed, it’s a worthy contender. For everyone else? C’est la vie électrique.