Citroën ë-C4 X facelift in the driving report: only visually refreshed
The unusually shaped saloon with electric drive is to be given a small refresh. We have already been able to test drive it for a few kilometers.
(Image: Citroën)
- Wolfgang Gomoll
The electric versions of the ë-C4 and ë-C4 X were superior bestsellers last year – at least from a certain perspective. 50.3 percent of all Citroën electric cars were ë-C4 and ë-C4 X, followed far behind by the Berlingo. The downside, of course, is that only, 1357 of the 53,025 Citroëns sold in Germany in 2024 had a battery-electric drive. If there is a massive change to this this year, the redesign of the ë-C4 X is unlikely to play a part in it. Because the small changes are not enough.
A friendlier face
A few reshaped plastics and different headlights give the saloon a somewhat friendlier appearance. At the rear, the changes are so minor that hardly anyone will notice them. The changes to the interior are also rather straightforward. The upholstery of the front seats is 15 mm thicker and, in combination with the Advanced Comfort suspension, in which the mechanical bump stops of the shock absorbers are replaced by hydraulic ones, the Citroën e-CX 4 is easy on the spinal discs even in poor road conditions. The low interior noise levels also contribute to the pleasant ride. Despite the coupé-like roofline, there is still a hand's breadth of space above the head, even at a height of 1.85 meters.
The trunk has a capacity of 510 liters. As before, there is no large trunk lid, which makes loading rather awkward. In addition, the area behind the rear head restraints is reflected in the rear window when the sun is shining. There are also situations in which a rear window wiper would be helpful.
Infotainment
The instrument cluster for the digital instruments measures seven, instead of 5.5 inches in the most expensive equipment line. The touchscreen remains unchanged at ten inches. The head-up display continues to show its information via a small screen. The infotainment system, which is available at extra cost in the middle of the three equipment lines, can be kept up to date over the air. If desired, the smartphone can be integrated wirelessly via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. This could be an option for some drivers because operating the Citroën infotainment system is still not really intuitive. You have to navigate through several menus before you find the desired function. The graphics are also outdated. When the monitors were redesigned, the software could have been spiced up at the same time. It doesn't help that ChatGPT is now integrated.
Citroën ë-C4 X Facelift (10 Bilder)
Citroën
)Four drives
The price list from January 15 lists four engine options for the C4 X. One petrol engine, one mild hybrid and two battery-electric drive systems. The more powerful of the two electric versions was available for our test drive. It costs 1000 euros more, and we recommend spending this money. With 115 instead of 100 kW, it offers slightly more power, which is of secondary importance. However, the more powerful drive promises slightly lower consumption in the WLTP, which should be 14.5 instead of 15 kWh. In addition, the battery has a slightly higher energy content of 54 kWh. Under the conditions of the cycle, the more expensive of the two ë-C4 Xs should manage 427 instead of 360 km. That's a few more kilometers, which should hardly be noticeable in everyday use.
On our short drive, during which we traveled on both highways and country roads, but did not complete any full-throttle stages, the on-board computer reported 18.4 kWh/100 km. There isn't too much power on offer here, at least compared to other electric cars. This is certainly enough for everyday use, but if you want more, you'll have to look around at the competition. The top speed is 150 km/h, which only restricts some drivers in this country in their aspirations.
No progress in charging
The battery equipment remains unchanged. A three-phase charger allows up to 11 kW on alternating current. For those who think that at least this will finally be standard everywhere in 2025: Opel charges an extra 700 euros for this in the Corsa Electric, and 300 euros for a heat pump for more efficient heating. Both are standard in the Citroën. The maximum charging capacity remains unchanged at 100 kW. To achieve this, however, the driver is dependent on the weather and his driving style. There is no specific preconditioning of the battery cells. This means that charging can be very slow in winter temperatures. Under optimum conditions, the manufacturer promises a charging time of 35 minutes from five to 80 percent.
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Prices and equipment
A C4 X officially costs at least 26,050 euros. For this price, you get a reasonably equipped saloon with a 96 kW three-cylinder engine and eight-speed automatic transmission. For those who prefer the electric drive, the price starts at 32,600 euros. The 115 kW drive we drove is only available from the mid-range “Plus” equipment line upwards, which means an entry-level price of 34,800 euros. The factory navigation system costs 650 euros here, and Citroën only offers an alternative to steel rims with hubcaps in the most expensive “Max” version. The option of a sunroof has been dropped with the facelift.
Conclusion
Citroën has left it at a little cosmetic with this facelift. Technically, little has changed, which is quite courageous in an area that is constantly undergoing noticeable development. Those responsible are aware of this and are countering it with a price structure for which some people will be prepared to overlook a few weaknesses. Just how willing this is can be seen from last year's registration figures: 683 C4 and C4 X had one of the two electric drives. That's less than six percent. With a clearly noticeable technical upgrade, the saloon could possibly do better on the market. The brand has missed this opportunity with this update.
(dahe)