Citroen tests the limits

The C4 is quirky enough to impress anyone. Photo / Jacqui Madelin

Citroen's given its C4 a fresher look and some new petrol power co-developed with BMW, but little has changed for its diesel line-up.

Which is a good thing, as this is one of NZ's best-kept automotive secrets.

The car's new look is pretty subtle. The design remains fresh, the changes limited to a more rounded bonnet to better link the C4 to its bigger C5 sibling, and a restyled grille and bumper.

The cabin gets new decor and trim, while the tacho has moved to that translucent central display. Apparently floating above the dash, it's largely lit from daylight through the windscreen.

Strong sun makes it brighter, and it dims as clouds appear. That means unlike some digital displays, it remains easy to read whatever the light conditions.

That's just one of the innovative tech items that'll impress your mates, yet it works so well in the real world that you soon forget about it.

The fixed-hub steering wheel looks pretty radical too, with the centre (and its steering-wheel-mounted cruise and audio controls) remaining static while the rim rotates around it. That allows a larger airbag, and means those controls are predictably to hand.

I found the cruise control especially easy to operate, though I still can't get used to the speed limiter.

Set your speed limit - 50km/h, say - and the car will not exceed it, no matter how much you floor the accelerator.

Our test car was the $44,990 top-spec 2.0-litre 100kW/320Nm diesel with a six-speed auto transmission.

It sounds a tad growly at idle, but once warm is quiet enough for our fuel station attendant to lift the petrol nozzle as we approached.

It pulls strongly, with plenty in reserve at open-road speeds, yet it's frugal with fuel - we averaged the claimed 6.6l/100km over 1000km of largely hilly running.

Speaking of which, the transmission was impressively effective at holding gears on steep downhills, and we rarely needed to manually drop a cog.

The suspension continues the easy-to-live-with theme. Ride comfort is exceptional, the car absorbing almost everything we threw at it. It's effective, yet not soft.

Otherwise she handles predictably, albeit with more body roll than I like and with slightly lifeless steering.

But overall this is a thoroughly effective, handsome family hatch with a few likeable quirks.

Why it doesn't sell in greater numbers is a mystery. It's not the price, which is in line with the likes of Toyota's ever-popular Corolla.

Perhaps Kiwis are just too conservative to give those likeable quirks the benefit of the doubt. Their loss.

CITROEN C4
2.0D exclusive

We like
Fresh design inside and out, frugal engine, very comfy ride, innovative solutions to everyday driving.

We don't like
Slightly lifeless steering.

Powertrain
2.0-litre common rail turbo diesel with particulate filter, 100kW at 4000rpm, 320Nm at 2000rpm, six-speed auto drives front wheels.

Performance
0-100km/h in 10.4 seconds, 6.6l/100km claim.

Safety
Six airbags, stability control, ABS brakes, auto hazard lights under rapid deceleration.

What it's got
Cruise control and speed limiter, auto lights and wipers, auto air con and much much more - there's even a scent diffuser.

Vital stats
4275mm long, 390/1023-litre boot, 60-litre fuel tank.