Citroen C4 Cactus: Review
Was it Amsterdam that had us raving about the Cactus? PH tries one in the UK to find out
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.
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.
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.
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)
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.
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.
Brave.
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?
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.
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.
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?
Le prats
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?
Le prats
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
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.
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