Citroen has opened the order books for its new C4 and e-C4 crossovers, which start at £20,990 and £29,180 respectively. The new models are designed to “shake up the compact hatchback segment”, with raised bodywork and fastback-style lines, as well as the choice of petrol, diesel or electric power.

The car is being offered to British customers with a choice of four trim levels and five different engines, plus the electric motor. However, some powertrains will not be available until the spring of 2021, and the e-C4 only gets a choice of three trim levels.

In exchange for your £20,990, you get the entry-level Sense version, which comes with LED headlights and 18-inch alloy wheels. A 10-inch high-resolution touchscreen dominates the dashboard, and you also get rear parking sensors, dual-zone climate control and the Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity systems.

Sense models also get Citroën’s Standard Safety Pack with video-assisted autonomous emergency braking, which can slam on the brakes automatically if it detects an impending collision. That comes alongside lane-keeping assistance and driver attention warning.
Moving up to the Sense Plus model adds a head-up display and satellite navigation, as well as a tablet computer holder in the front and a reversing camera. Electrically folding door mirrors feature, too, along with an auto-dimming rear-view mirror.

Climbing further still brings you to the £26,390 Shine model, which gets dark-tinted rear windows, keyless entry, and front parking sensors. The car gets a host of safety features, too, including adaptive cruise control that maintains a safe distance to the car in front and blind spot detection to help prevent drivers pulling out into unseen vehicles.

Citroen C4

Finally, the top-of-the-range Shine Plus gets a premium hi-fi system, part-leather upholstery and heated front seats. Electric seat adjustment is included, too, and there’s a wireless smartphone charging pad.

Under the bonnet, there’s a choice of three petrol engines and two diesels, although those choosing the cheapest 1.2-litre petrol will have to wait until May to get their vehicle. That PureTech 100 engine, which comes with a six-speed manual gearbox, will sit at the foot of the range, with more powerful versions of the same engine sitting just above it. The PureTech 130 will come with a choice of manual and automatic transmissions, while the even more potent PureTech 155 will only be offered with an automatic gearbox when production begins in February.

Citroën C4 and e-C4

Alternatively, you could opt for one of two diesel engines. The BlueHDi 110 will be teamed with a six-speed manual gearbox when it becomes available in May, while the more powerful BlueHDi 130 is on sale now with an eight-speed automatic transmission as standard.

But if none of those appeal, there’s always the e-C4’s electric motor. Available on Sense Plus, Shine and Shine Plus models, it comes with 134 bhp and an all-electric range of 217 miles. The 50 kWh battery can be topped up to 80 percent in 30 minutes if you’re using a 100 kW rapid charger, while a 7.4 kWh domestic wallbox charger will take seven-and-a-half hours to completely replenish the battery.

Gallery: Citroën C4 and e-C4