2012 Citroen C4 Aircross Reviews

The Citroen C4 Aircross is one of three compact SUVs produced from a joint venture between the French PSA Peugeot Citroen group and the Japanese giant Mitsubishi. It sells alongside the Peugeot 4008 and Mitsubishi ASX.The sales figures for the three vehicles make an interesting example of the value of brand marketing. All three are built in the same Mitsubishi factory albeit with some styling differences and, allowing for variations in equipment levels, are priced within the same ballpark.Despite this, during the nine-month period that all three have been on sale, nearly 90 per cent of total sales have been of the ASX. The Peugeot 4008 and Citroen Aircross each arrived in Australia in mid-2012, nearly two years after the ASX, and so were at a significant disadvantage.The Aircross was further hampered because its arrival coincided with the imminent switch in Citroen’s local importer/distributor which meant that it received virtually no marketing or advertising support.The new importer, Sime Darby Motors Group, has now re-launched the Aircross and we’ve now been able to spend a day with this cute-looking small SUV, Citroen’s first venture into this booming market.Prices are straightforward: $31,990 for the 2WD and $33,990 for the 4WD. While these prices are the same as when the Aircross was launched by the previous importer in June 2012 they are now national driveaway prices and include a reversing camera as standard and so making it significantly cheaper – Citroen claims nearly $4000 – than previously.Also standard are 18-inch alloy wheels, leather trimmed steering wheel, cruise control, Bluetooth phone and audio steaming, steering wheel mounted audio controls and voice activation.While the Aircross and the ASX share most of their mechanical components and underbody parts and have a similar styling theme, all external panels, with the exception of its doors and roof are different.The Aircross also takes a different approach to the all-important frontal styling. While its two siblings have gone for the trendy wide-mouthed grille Citroen has adopted a wide two-bar arrangement with the familiar Citroen double chevron built into the centre.Daytime running lights are growing in popularity and the Aircross again takes a different tack by having them on the extreme edges of the grille and vertically mounted rather than the normal horizontal line fringing the headlights.Beauty is of course in the eye of the beholder but we do prefer the look of the Allcross to that of the 4008 and ASX. Interior space is good at the front and acceptable for adults but fine for children in the rear. Boot space ranges from 442 litres with the rear seatbacks in place (384 litres below the parcel shelf) to 1193 litres with the seatbacks folded.The model range for the Citroen C4 Aircross is nice and simple. There’s one engine (2.0-litre petrol), one transmission (CVT automatic), one specification level (Exclusive) and two drive options (2WD and 4WD).The Aircross engine generates up to 110 kilowatts of power and 199 Newton metres of torque. It’s capable enough in normal city and motorway driving but does struggle a bit on hilly terrain although once we started using the paddle shift manual override feature we were able to enjoy the test drive a lot more.It’s not a sporty vehicle but neither are the majority of its competitors in what is very much a small family focussed market segment. Other engines, including diesel, are available but are not in Citroen’s Australian importers sights at this time of low local petrol prices.Fuel consumption on the combined urban/highway test is listed at 7.9 litre per 100 kilometres for the 2WD model and 8.1 L/100 km with 4WD.Safety equipment levels are good with seven airbags, ABS brakes with emergency brakeforce distribution and brake assist, ESP, hill-start assist, reversing camera with rear mirror display, rear park assist and auto hazard light activation under rapid deceleration.Our 250 kilometre media test route included around 30 km of moderately rugged dirt roads to display the off-road credentials that Citroen saw as distinguishing the Aircross from its softer competitors.Although we were in the 4WD model during this stage we switched between modes and apart from the occasional rut that sent shudders through the car, it handled the conditions without any real problems. There’s also a 4WD Lock option for more demanding terrain.

Talk about leveraging one car platform, talk about 'theme and variations.' There are now three versions of the same car available here; Mitsubishi's ASX (donor vehicle), Peugeot's 4008 and now, Citroen's C4 Aircross.They are same-under-the-skin small SUVs out of a Japanese Mitsu' factory but with different front and rear styling and different interiors though the latter two are nearly identical inside.PRICEASX petrol wins on price and spec' particularly at the top end of the scale which is where the $36,990 ASX Aspire, $38,490 Peugeot 4008 Allure and $33,990 Citroen C4 Aircross Exclusive all play. Neither of the European brands offer a diesel donk.The ASX leads with standard satnav that isn't in either of the "Europeans', Rockford Fosgate premium audio, five year warranty and a reverse camera (standard in the Pug). A new, restyled ASX is due soon offering even more kit to attract buyers its way.BEAUTY CONTESTBut the Citroen wins the beauty contest brandishing a handsome face with a stylish rear end. It has more wow factor than the other two, particularly the current ASX which ain't pretty. This is the first SUV 4WD from Citroen and only two Aircross Exclusive models are available in 2WD and 4WD petrol with CVT auto.KITCitroen has been a bit cunning with the spec' making leather upholstery ($2000) and other goodies like metallic paint, xenon headlights, glass roof and reversing camera optional. Tick these boxes and it will add thousands.But it does get fairly generous kit including Bluetooth phone, striking 18-inch alloys, paddle shift, climate control, comprehensive trip computer, rain sensor, auto headlights and rear park sensors. Cruise control, a pollen filter and auto dim rear view mirror are also included. It's not a povvo pack that's for sure but leather would have been welcome.POWERTRAINAircross runs the same 2.0-litre petrol four out of Mitsubishi Lancer/ASX with 110kW/197Nm output. It has variable valve timing and is capable of returning  8.1-litres/100km on 95 octane. European Aircross has a 1.6 turbo four with more torque lower in the rev range that would probably make it a more responsive drive.DRIVINGAs it stands, the 2.0-litre needs to be treated robustly to get it going at a quickish rate and to overcome that 1450kg+ weight. Alternatively, you can use the paddle shift to flick it up and down through six "steps" that function as gears. It's reasonably quiet once you're up and running and the fuel use drops down quickly on cruise. We saw 7.1-litres/100km without really trying.But CVT.... we're still not convinced and those slurring engine revs are fairly annoying. The ride is controlled and in the comfort spectrum apart from some harshenss from the low profile rubber. You can push it a tad through corners but the limits are clearly defined. Besides, Aircross isn't intended as a sporty vehicle.It will, in 4WD variant, go some way off road thanks to selectable 2WD (front), 4WD and 4WD lock mode. That's all you need for mud, snow, sand and gravel driving. It seats five in relative comfort and has a decent load space expandable with 60/40 rear seats. The safety rating is five star.VERDICTInteresting one. The Citroen looks the part but options jack up the price and there's the Citroen name that's off-putting for some people (dunno why). When it all comes out in the wash, a new Australian distributor due soon might get the price right making this car a much more attractive proposition.Citroen AircrossPrice: from $31,990Warranty: 3 years/100,000kmSafety: n/aEngine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl, 110kW/197NmTransmission: 6-speed CVT, front wheel driveThirst: 7.9 / 100Km, 185 CO2 EmissionsDimensions: 4341mm (L); 1799mm (W); 1625 (H)Weight: 1395kgSpare: space saver