Discover our test of the Citroën ë-C4X, the 100% electric sedan / crossover – Masculin.com
Presented in 2022, the new Citroën ë-C4X arrives at the Masculin columns for a full test in the Madrid region, near its production plant. This 100% electric sedan (the C4X also exists with internal combustion) promises a pleasant and comfortable drive like any self-respecting Citroën, and a “fair” WLTP range of 360 km.
In this test, we will discover in detail the technical characteristics and the performances of the new model of the French manufacturer.
An ë-C4 with a trunk?
On paper, the Citroën ë-C4X is a “classic” five-seat, 4-door sedan derived from the compact ë-C4, of which there are quite a few in France. In fact, this raised hatchback sedan, if it takes the front face of its cousin, is distinguished by a clean design, far from the image of the trunk “added” to the shoehorn.
Well planted on its 18″ diamond rim, with its 4.60m, it offers 24cm more in length, for the benefit of the rear passengers, but also the luggage compartment. Citroën designers managed to give this ë-C4X its own personality and style. It also offers better aerodynamics thanks to its rear appendage, and we were surprised to appreciate its classic but successful line.
Europe and the Middle East in sight
Before continuing with the presentation, it seems important to me to explain one point to better understand Citroën’s options. Certainly, the brand is French, but this ë-C4X, if it is sold in France and should know a little success, is not really for us that it was imagined.
Above all, it is a way for Citroën to acquire new customers in Europe and the Middle East. The ë-C4X is primarily intended for countries where traditional three-volume sedans remain popular and are used as taxis, company vehicles or simply a luxury car for the middle classes. In its approach, the manufacturer also decided to sell the C4X only in a 100% electric version in 14 European countries.
Comfort, voluptuousness, but not luxury
Now that the introductions are over, let’s get into the cabin of our Citroën ë-C4, which benefits from the latest rather nice interior. Centered around a 10″ screen for infotainment, compatible with Android Auto and wireless Apple Carplay, Citroën had the good idea to keep physical buttons for all important functions such as dual-zone automatic air conditioning or driving modes .
The steering wheel also retains physical buttons and remains very intuitive to use, with driving aids on the left, and multimedia on the right.
The rest of the passenger compartment is sensible and does not show too much modernity, but does not reach luxury. The dashboard design is resolutely modern with lightly foamed covers and a finish that none of the competition would envy.
Our test version, in the Shine Pack finish, the most equipped, features Alcantara upholstery with heated front seats, and above all seat comfort that is still one of the best on the market. The Citroën ë-C4X offers a pleasant and comfortable interior for long journeys to all occupants, including in the rear where passengers have a bench seat ideal for two passengers with excellent space in knee
As for the trunk, there is no tailgate, it is a tight 4-door, and you can enjoy 510 liters of trunk volume and up to 1,360 liters with the rear seats folded.
It also has storage space under the boot floor for a spare tire, as well as a storage compartment in the center console. Finally, the rear seat can be folded in three parts to further increase the loading volume.
A well-known traction chain in Citroën
The Citroën ë-C4X is equipped with a 136 hp (100 kW) electric motor that offers a maximum power of 260 Nm in sport mode. This engine is combined with a 50 kWh liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery, which gives it a range of 360 km in the WLTP cycle.
If the ë-C4X does not drag, with acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in around 10 seconds in sport mode, it is completely without sensation, except for comfort and silent operation without guilt. It can reach a maximum speed of 150 km/h in sport mode, but it will be especially appreciated in urban areas with its braking energy recovery system (which recovers energy during deceleration and brakes it immediately better).
During our trip to the Madrid region, we alternated between city routes, the motorway and especially secondary roads, which suited the discovery of the ë-C4X. The car is stable, and handles twisty roads very well with precise steering and a reassuring demeanor, even at high speeds.
Citroën ë-C4X is equipped with many safety and driving assistance devices, such as lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, fatigue detector and automatic emergency braking that we were not aware of. luckily we didn’t use it!
On the highway, once the level 2 driving aid is activated, we appreciate the fact that the car can follow the lane without any corrections to be made on our part.
The right weight for the right set?
The 50 kWh liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery theoretically gives it a range of 360 km in the WLTP cycle. In fact, it is difficult to calculate a real autonomy in a single day test, but in our case, after several hours of driving, we recorded about 18.5 kWh / 100 km in the combined cycle, or about 270 km which is useful. autonomy.
In built-up areas, one should count on 300 to 320 real kilometers in town, its heat pump in series also makes it possible to reduce electricity consumption for heating.
In any case, according to Citroën data, the average mileage of customers of the compact ë-C4 is about 57 km per day on average, which allows customers to charge their car only once a week .
The charging time depends on the type of socket used: in the household socket (8 A), the battery charges in 31 hours; in a reinforced Green’Up socket (16 A), for 15 hours; in a single-phase 32 A Wallbox, for 7.5 hours; in a 3 x 16 A three-phase Wallbox (11 kW charger), for 5 hours; and at a fast charging station (100 kW), in 30 minutes (ie 10 km/min). The Citroën ë-C4 x is equipped with a 7.4 kW on-board charger as standard or 11 kW as an option, as well as a Combo CCS Type 2 connector.
Our opinion on the Citroën ë-C4X
Citroën ë-C4X is a synthesis of the latest productions of the brand, the missing link between the latest C4 and C5 X that we tested last year. If France isn’t going to be its favorite market, it remains an honest proposition and offers a homogeneity and driving comfort that will suit Citroën’s typical clientele.
Moreover, the manufacturer does not make mistakes and communicates a lot with fleets, service companies and passenger transport types VSL or VTC, where this ë-C4X is of particular interest for comfortable journeys in or around urban areas.
Abroad, the situation will be different, Citroën has a higher image outside of Europe, and this ë-C4X will be a great product to cover, offering beautiful lines, modern equipment and interior in the taste of the day.
Overall, the Citroën ë-C4X offers decent performance, with good driving comfort and good stability, as well as a decent range of around 320 km in the context of mixed car use.
Shown to us at around €45,000 without bonuses in the Shine Pack version tested with the optional panoramic sunroof, it will set you back €39,000 with the bonus deducted, an attractive price given the features this.
