RAISING THE SALOON BAR (some text hidden) --NONE--

By Jonathan Crouch

Citroen redefines what a compact family saloon can look like with this e-C4 X. Jonathan Crouch drives it.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 59

The e-C4 X is 'the best of a hatchback, with the modernity of an SUV and the timelessness of a saloon', according to Citroen. Or you could simply see it as a sedan version of the brand's quirky all-electric e-C4 hatch. Either way, it's an ambitiously styled four-door family EV that's compact yet spacious, with a simply enormous boot.

Backgroundword count: 165

X seems to mean different things to different brands. Citroen doesn't see the letter as designating an SUV. Instead, for them, it references what the brand calls 'the crossroads of different universes', a melding together of different genres, the sort of thing we've already seen in the company's large C5 X. With the e-C4 X, the styling brief was rather less ambitious, but it still hopes to blend hatchback, crossover and sedan genres together into one appealing compact shape that a first glance, could fall into any of those three categories. We've seen something similar (but rather more dramatic) with cousin Stellantis Group Gallic brand Peugeot's 408, but the e-C4 X is a more straightforward design that sits on a different, simpler, CMP platform and is only (for our market anyway) offered in full-electric form. As you might expect, everything is based on the e-C4 hatch, but from the B-pillar back, things are a great deal more spacious and interesting. Let's take a closer look.

Driving Experienceword count: 233

The e-C4 X does of course drive just like the e-C4 hatch and comes in two forms, both aided by the car's sleek aerodynamic shape (rated at 0.29Cd). The first version has the older Stellantis Group EV powertrain system - a 50kWh battery and a 136hp electric motor, with a driving range of 222 miles. With this, 62mph from rest takes 9.5s on the way to a modest 93mph top speed. You'd prefer though, if possible to stretch to the newer package, which pairs a slightly larger 54kWh battery with a faster 156hp motor to offer a driving range WLTP-rated at up to 260 miles. Like all EVs, the car can recover energy when decelerating or braking. And there are three drive modes - 'Eco', 'Normal' and 'Sport' - that can vary the level of engine power and the energy draw from the air conditioning to boost driving range. The e-C4 X has a 'Brake' feature to amplify the deceleration of the car without pressing the brake pedal. This set-up allows for the recovery of energy when slowing the car and allows the driver to partially recharge the battery and increase driving range. Like other C4s, this one features a clever Progressive Hydraulic suspension set-up. Here, the car's springs and shock absorbers work in concert with hydraulic compression and rebound stops, which are supposed to slow body movement over bumps and tarmac tears.

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