RE: Citroen C4 Cactus: Review

RE: Citroen C4 Cactus: Review

Tuesday 19th August 2014

Citroen C4 Cactus: Review

Was it Amsterdam that had us raving about the Cactus? PH tries one in the UK to find out



A Citroen crossover hatch with a 100hp diesel engine, five-speed gearbox and no rev counter sounds about the least PH-worthy car we've ever allowed into our realm. And yet...

Prickly and dry? Not a bit of it with this Cactus
Prickly and dry? Not a bit of it with this Cactus
First things first, let's get the price out of the way. New car costs money shocker. New car costs same amount of money as other new car that may, or may not, be considered more PH-worthy. Which in this context means, yes, you could have a Fiesta ST for around the same as the base price of this 100hp diesel crossover, never mind the £20,360 with options it would leave the showroom for.

A meaningless comparison then, made purely to save anyone else the bother in the comments thread to follow.

Chocolat chaud
Clearly the Cactus clearly isn't a hot hatch. It isn't even a warm one. It is, however, a welcome assertion of more egalitarian and distinctively French values on the crossover market. Forget the isolationist field of view and bunker mentality adopted by many - Citroen has successfully subverted quasi-SUV values to its own ends.

It's a Citroen with brown bubble wrap on the side...
It's a Citroen with brown bubble wrap on the side...
So you get the confidence inspiring loftiness everyone seems to love and a soupcon of kerb bashing 4x4 ruggedness but executed with a genuine sense of fun and none of the macho posturing so tiresome among many rivals. It's been cleverly engineered to a price, embraces weight-saving minimalism and includes a wacky innovation that both looks quirky and banishes door bashing car park neurosis in a stroke. Welcome back Citroen!

Design is of course subjective and you'll either love the Cactus or hate it. A poll of the PH office had most of us in the former camp, qualified by a little disquiet about the optionally hued 'Chocolate Airbumps'. There's something of 70s sci-fi about both the interior and exterior that's hugely appealing - it's all a bit Star Wars, with a garnish of Kubrick-esque 2001 Space Odyssey on top. Conformist Q3 aspirants aside the Nissan Juke has proved buyers in this sector aren't as conservative as they might seem and if there's any justice the Cactus deserves similar success.

...and yet there's plenty that's rather cool about it
...and yet there's plenty that's rather cool about it
Obviously it'll be a hit with the school run set and a more quirky family car alternative to the likes of the inexplicably popular Countryman. But could the Cactus also go down well with the outdoorsy types who might have bought a Honda Element, had it ever been imported officially to these shores? The fixed rear bench and high loading sill don't help but the Cactus manages to offer a hint of 'lifestyle' appeal without that appearing contrived or inspiration to punch the nearest 'sports active' type in the face.

French tickler
And to drive? Perfectly acceptable. The 100hp 1.6 diesel is workmanlike and has enough grunt to keep pace on the motorway while returning mpg figures beginning with a five or a six, the suspension has a little more travel and compliance than a regular hatch without being standout impressive and the steering is direct and positive if lacking in any feel. Only the vague, gritty gearshift really spoils the party. And the saggy seats might not have enough support for longer journeys. But do look nice with the optional leather.

Farewell car park paranoia - worth it for this alone
Farewell car park paranoia - worth it for this alone
Amalgamating all the major controls - including ventilation - into a touchscreen system is bold and does a good job of removing button-based clutter on the dash but it can be a bit laggy and irritating to use. Fair play for trying though and from a design perspective it works wonders, creating a cabin that's both minimal and stylish. And that's the Cactus through and through. If not perfect it is definitely interesting and if it reignites a creative streak within Citroen then all to the better.

 



CITROEN C4 CACTUS HDI 100 FLAIR
Engine:
1,560cc 4-cyl turbodiesel
Transmission: 5-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Power (hp): 100@3,750rpm
Torque (lb ft): 187@1,750rpm
0-62mph: 10.7 sec
Top speed: 114mph
Weight: 1,252kg ('In service')
MPG: 83.1mpg (NEDC combined)
CO2: 87g/km
Price: £17,990 (£20,360 as tested comprising Pearlescent paint £730, Chocolate Airbumps - really - £150, panoramic roof £395, space saver rear wheel £75, City Park Pack £325 and Habana Leather Highlight £695)







   
   
Author
Discussion

GTEYE

Original Poster:

2,092 posts

209 months

Tuesday 19th August 2014
quotequote all
I hope it doesn't turn into Citroens Fiat Multipla, ie rated highly by the motoring media, but bought by nobody.

Brave.

Edited by GTEYE on Tuesday 19th August 12:00

dukebox9reg

1,570 posts

147 months

Tuesday 19th August 2014
quotequote all
Well the Countryman is a right giggle to drive. These Citroens aren't. They are just good tools.

I'm not against them, I have a top spec new C4 Picasso for the wife and though the handling as been sharped up from Picasso's of old, there isn't a fun thing about driving it. You are fully detached from what the front wheels are doing through the steering wheel etc and the back end doesn't feel fully connected to the back end.

The Countryman on the other hand makes you want to drive it every time you get in it like any of the rest of the MINI range.

Be interesting if these get picked up by the blue badge brigade like the majority of Nissan Cashcows in the UK.

askew

102 posts

115 months

Tuesday 19th August 2014
quotequote all
"Ze goggles... zey do nuzzink"

talksthetorque

10,815 posts

134 months

Tuesday 19th August 2014
quotequote all
Superb job. All the media getting excited about a car that is memorable, a little different to the 'which hatch am I in this week' reviews they usually have to do.
Then the customers who don't get to try a different hatch every week just go and buy some normal hatch, as its new to them and they had the last astra for 5 years.
And because Citroen UK over order stock based on the good reviews in the press, I will pick one up nice and cheap with 0% finance in 12 months when my current lease runs out.

DoctorX

7,240 posts

166 months

Tuesday 19th August 2014
quotequote all
Quite like the look of these. Had a poke around one recently - very cheap feeling plastics inside and the lack of folding rear seat is a deal breaker but other than that an ideal family car. Just not at 20 grand.

zerovira

63 posts

130 months

Tuesday 19th August 2014
quotequote all
GTEYE said:
I hope it doesn't turn into Citroens Fiat Multipla, ie rated highly by the motoring media, but bought by nobody.

Brave.

Edited by GTEYE on Tuesday 19th August 12:00
I think down here in spain they are selling them quite well, I've seen half a dozen or so, and they've been selling it since june or so I think.

Pretty nice car. Needs the three pot petrol 130hp and then it will be a very good family car, in my opinion.

Weight has surprised me, IFIRC they were a lot lighter. Maybe it's the diesel?

TimLambert7

642 posts

124 months

Tuesday 19th August 2014
quotequote all
A few gimmicky bits stuck on to lure in buyers who know nothing about cars combined with horrendous gear shift, cheap materials, terrible media interface and poor reliability.

Typical Citroen then.


JamesHayward

655 posts

163 months

Tuesday 19th August 2014
quotequote all
I love it. Having driven one recently I want one even more. It's just typically quirky french motoring and it's got something clearly lacking in modern car design and that's character.

I'd have one as a daily / tow car only it's too light to tow anything bigger than a lawnmower.

Frimley111R

15,537 posts

233 months

Tuesday 19th August 2014
quotequote all
Looks funky but the interior is dire, a mass of cheap plastic, horrible.

Dazed & Confused

202 posts

203 months

Tuesday 19th August 2014
quotequote all
It was my next family car - but then I discovered that the rear seats don't split fold and the rear windows don't wind down!

Why? Why go all the way - saying that it's not about speed or handling, but fun and practicality - add air bumps and a higher ride height - and then not add two really simple, really cheap, really common, really useful things, even as an option?

The Citroen guy said that 'simplicity' was the aim. Apparently air conditioning is now more simple than making a hole in the side of a box to let air in. Using that logic, why can the passenger window wind down?

I love old Citroens. No, I adore old Citroens - but this seems just like they're trying too hard.

Edited by Dazed & Confused on Tuesday 19th August 12:52

Zircon

305 posts

180 months

Tuesday 19th August 2014
quotequote all
I agree it is interesting, but those door panels will look utterly awful in 5 years time when the cheap plastic they will be made of by Citroen has faded to a pasty cream, the polish marks blur the edges of them and the door hits from supermarket w@nkers are clearly visible in the surface of the soft plastic.

Other than that I applaud their sense of alternative style. They can't make cars like the Germans do so they have at least embraced their own quirkiness.

dublet

283 posts

210 months

Tuesday 19th August 2014
quotequote all
My car also "keep[s] pace on the motorway while returning mpg figures beginning with a five or a six". Unfortunately any numbers after that are of the fractional part.

Prawnboy

1,326 posts

146 months

Tuesday 19th August 2014
quotequote all
said:
It was my next family car - but then I discovered that the rear seats don't split fold and the rear windows don't wind down!

Why? Why go all the way - saying that it's not about speed or handling, but fun and practicality - add air bumps and a higher ride height - and then not add two really simple, really cheap, really common, really useful things, even as an option?

The Citroen guy said that 'simplicity' was the aim. Apparently air conditioning is now more simple than making a hole in the side of a box to let air in. Using that logic, why can the passenger window wind down?
it is insane, i think citroen have the best styled mass market cars on sale at the moment, and this would be a great addition, but no folding rear seat in a family car is just insane. So many sales lost.
Le prats

Edited by Prawnboy on Tuesday 19th August 13:39

Dale487

1,334 posts

122 months

Tuesday 19th August 2014
quotequote all
I like the looks - but what does an unoptioned one look like? I bet its the usually you either need to buy a higher spec model &/or spend £500 on options, but it is a Citroen so theres going to be room for movement on the price.

I guess its meant to be a "life Style" 4x4 looking car like the Juke & MINI Chubbiman not a tow car.

If its got air con the pop out rear windows will be no issue. The non split folding seat is not a massive issue - leave the kids at home when you go to IKEA.

I'd like to know what a mid range turbo petrol will RRP at & sell for at a Citroen dealer - cut price Skoda Yeti?

crostonian

2,427 posts

171 months

Tuesday 19th August 2014
quotequote all
DoctorX said:
Quite like the look of these. Had a poke around one recently - very cheap feeling plastics inside and the lack of folding rear seat is a deal breaker but other than that an ideal family car. Just not at 20 grand.
Shocking interior quality doesn't stop the Mini Countryman from selling at £20k plus

danp

1,603 posts

261 months

Tuesday 19th August 2014
quotequote all
Prawnboy said:
it is insane, i think citroen have the best styled mass market cars on sale at the moment, and this would be a great addition, but no folding rear seat in a family car is just insane. So many sales lost.
Le prats

Edited by Prawnboy on Tuesday 19th August 13:39
It folds, but doesn't split.

Prawnboy

1,326 posts

146 months

Tuesday 19th August 2014
quotequote all
danp said:
It folds, but doesn't split.
thats all right then- old school, i'm back on board.

toohuge

3,430 posts

215 months

Tuesday 19th August 2014
quotequote all
A big problem will be the dealer network imo.

The PSA network (Peugeot & Citroen) build loads of cars, then offer dealers an incentive to try and shift all the units, but all the units built on spec by PSA are all poorly specced horrors that have the bks knocked out of them to sell. The nicely specced ones, like this one in the article will be very rare, probably dealer demonstrators but generally not raved about in the dealers, all because dealers think that the lowest price is the only way to sell cars.

Chris

FastRich

542 posts

199 months

Tuesday 19th August 2014
quotequote all
The anti car park bash defence is a nice idea very poorly executed. Same thing should happen to the chap who signed it off.

What a pile of utter dog dirt. Citroen really know how to put the Cac into Cactus.

I hate to say it but Citroens of late do actually look rather good - I still wouldn't have one of course, but they are looking good these days. Thin shut lines, sleek headlightsand snazzy wheels etc all make them look good quality but it's just simple window dressing. It's still a Citroen, it'll still be worth the same as a wet paper bag in 6 months time and be just as robust.

Edited by FastRich on Tuesday 19th August 15:13

LOW4LYFE

159 posts

120 months

Tuesday 19th August 2014
quotequote all
I think it looks great. But I could have sworn I read a bunch of things about how they cut costs on these things, a saving I assumed would be passed on to the consumer. Obviously not laugh