- Fuel-efficient engines
- Willing 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine
- ‘Airbumps’ protect against dints
- Generally comfortable ride…
- … but suspension struggles with uneven surfaces
- Vague steering
- Soft seats lack support
- Cheap interior plastics
- Rear windows pop-out only
Review: Citroën C4 Cactus (2015-18)
Overview
Commencing production in November 2015 and officially released in Australia in February 2016, the Citroën C4 Cactus is a five-door, front-wheel drive hatchback. Manufactured in Vigo, Spain, the front-wheel drive Citroën C4 Cactus is powered by 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol (PureTech e-THP 110) or 1.6-litre turbo-diesel (e-HDi 92) engines that are mated to five-speed manual and six-speed semi-automatic transmissions, respectively.
Both the PureTech e-THP 110 and e-HDi 92 engines had a ‘Stop&Start’ system which enabled them to shut down when the vehicle was stationary in traffic to minimise fuel consumption. Over the combined ADR 81/02 test cycle, fuel consumption for the PureTech e-THP 110 and e-HDi variants is 4.7 and 3.6 litres per 100 kilometres, respectively.
From August 2017, the Citroën C4 Cactus PureTech e-THP 110 was available with a six-speed automatic transmission, while the e-HDi 92 variant was withdrawn from the Australian range.
| Variant | Engine | Trans. | Years | Peak power | Peak torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PureTech e-THP 110 | 1.2-litre turbo petrol I3 | 5sp man. | 2016-18 | 81 kW at 5500 rpm | 205 Nm at 1500 rpm |
| 6sp auto | 2017-18 | ||||
| e-HDi 92 | 1.6-litre turbo-diesel I4 | 6sp semi-auto | 2016-17 | 68 kW at 4000 rpm | 230 Nm at 1750 rpm |
Dimensions and body
Sharing its PF1 platform with the Citroën Mk.2 C3 , the C4 Cactus is 4157 mm long, 1729 mm wide (excluding door mirrors), 1540 mm tall and has a 2595 mm long wheelbase. Inside, C4 Cactus models with Citroen’s semi-automatic ‘Efficient Tronic Gearbox’ (ETG) have a front bench seat, though models with manual transmissions have conventional bucket seats. With the rear seats in position, the C4 Cactus has a luggage capacity of 358 litres below the parcel shelf.
On its doors, the Citroën C4 Cactus features distinctive air pockets which are covered in polyurethane (Citroen’s ‘Airbump’ technology) that are intended to prevent the body from being scratched.
Suspension and steering
The Citro�n C4 Cactus has MacPherson strut front suspension and a torsion beam rear axle.
The C4 Cactus has rack-and-pinion steering with electric power assistance. The steering wheel requires 3.02 turns from lock to lock, while the turning circle is 10.9 metres.
Safety equipment
Standard safety equipment for the Citro�n C4 Cactus includes dual front airbags, front side airbags, full-length curtain airbags (i.e. for front and rear occupants), ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control and front seatbelts with pre-tensioners and load limiters.
Unusually, the 120-litre front passenger airbag is installed in the headlining to minimise the size of the dashboard.
Brakes
The Citroën C4 Cactus PureTech e-THP 110 has 266 mm by 22 mm ventilated front brake discs and 249 mm by 9 mm solid rear discs; the C4 Cactus e-HDi 92, however, has 203 mm diameter rear drum brakes.
Euro NCAP testing
In Euro NCAP testing, Citroën the C4 Cactus received a four star safety rating which included an 82 per cent adult occupant protection rating and a 79 per cent child occupant protection rating. In the offset crash test, protection of the driver’s head, chest and thighs was rated as good; protection of the lower leg and feet, however, was rated as adequate. In the side impact test, protection of the driver’s chest was rated as adequate and, in the more severe pole test, chest protection was marginal.
Features: C4 Cactus Exclusive
Standard features for the Citroën C4 Cactus Exclusive include 17-inch diamond cut ‘Cross’ alloy wheels, a six speaker sound system with Arkamys digital amplifier, a digital radio tuner (DAB+), USB input, Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity and audio streaming, a seven-inch touch screen with ‘eMyWay’ satellite navigation system, automatic air conditioning, cruise control with speed limiter, halogen headlights, LED daytime running lights, directional front fog lights, a rear view camera, rear parking sensors, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, a bi-tone leather steering wheel, 60/40 split and folding rear seats (with top-tether anchor points for child seats), remote central locking, power adjustable and heated door mirrors, power front windows, pop-out rear windows, a height adjustable driver’s seat, 12 volt power socket, tyre pressure monitoring, rear privacy glass, black roof bars and an immobiliser.
The Citroën C4 Cactus is also equipped with Citroën’s ‘Magic Wash’ system which integrates windscreen washer nozzles into the tips of the wipers. When the driver activates the windscreen washing function, a small quantity of fluid is deposited over the length of the wiper blade.
The Citroën C4 Cactus e-HDi 92 is further equipped with steering wheel gearshift paddles, a bench seat with armrest and an ‘Aircraft-style’ manual handbrake.
As standard, the C4 Cactus is fitted with a 15-inch steel spare wheel.
2016 Citroën C4 Cactus Rip Curl edition
Released in Australia in November 2016, the Citroën C4 Cactus Rip Curl edition was powered by the 1.2-litre PureTech e-THP 110 engine. As standard, the C4 Cactus Rip Curl edition was fitted with Citroën’s ‘Grip Control’ traction control system and Goodyear mud/snow tyres.
The Citroën C4 Cactus Rip Curl edition could be identified by the ‘Rip Curl’ graphics on its front mudguards and C-pillars, silver bumper guards (front and rear), white rear-view mirror shells and white roof rails. Inside, the C4 Cactus Rip Curl had ‘Rip Curl’ branded floor mats with orange stitching, orange seatbelts and orange speaker surrounds. Australian deliveries of the Citroen C4 Cactus Rip Curl edition were limited to fifteen (15) vehicles.
2017 Citroën C4 Cactus PureTech e-THP 110 OneTone
The Citroën C4 Cactus PureTech e-THP 110 OneTone was released in Australia in August 2017. Visually, the C4 Cactus OneTone edition could be identified by its two unique body colour/Airbump/wheel colour combinations:
- Metallic Obsidian Black paint finish with black Airbumps and 17-inch ‘Cross’ black alloy wheels; and,
- Pearlescent Pearl White paint finish with Dune Airbumps and 17-inch ‘Cross’ two-tone white alloy wheels. For this combination, the C4 Cactus OneTone also had white roof bars and white door mirror caps.
2018 Citroën C4 Cactus PureTech e-THP 110 Black Special Edition
The Citroën C4 Cactus PureTech e-THP 110 Black Special Edition was released in Australia in May 2018. Compared to the standard C4 Cactus, the C4 Cactus Black Special Edition could be identified by its black 17-inch alloy wheels and ‘One-Tone’ badging. Furthermore, standard features were extended to include half cloth/leatherette seats, grey leather dashboard trim and a panoramic roof.
The Citroën C4 Cactus PureTech e-THP 110 Black Special Edition had a drive-away price of $30,990 and Australian deliveries were limited to 20 vehicles.
Specifications
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