Citroen Dispatch Reviews

It's not because you'll miss the super roomy feel, the leather interior, full-length sunroof or the CD stacker that's hiding in the armrest. And while it is a definitely a nice touch, especially on a cold winter's night, most people could give or take the seat warmers in our mild Australian climate.No. The reason people could shy away from driving any other car after spending any length of time in the five-door Citroen C4 is because they have simply become too lazy.In the Citroen C4 the headlights switch on automatically once darkness falls and windscreen wipers jump into action as soon as raindrops touch the glass.The rear-view mirrors tilt to give drivers the optimum view when reversing.When you get out of the car, the mirrors fold away to avoid being side-swiped on narrow city streets.But perhaps the inclusion that threatens to strip any sense of responsibility from the driver is the warning system that beeps if you come too close to anything in front or behind.When squeezing into a tight spot, the warning tones were a godsend.But after only three days' driving I already found myself relying on those trusty beeps to tell me whether I was going to crash.My sense of distance went out the window – a sure recipe for disaster once behind the wheel of another, less informative, vehicle.But those more familiar with the electrics and accessories that buyers of premium small cars have come to expect will turn their attention to the car's on-road performance.As a driver who learnt on a manual but driven automatic for the past 13 years, I found the option of driving the car in the part-manual mode fascinating.It was good to be able to influence the car's power by changing gears manually without having the hassle of using the clutch like in full manual mode.But when I wanted to return to completely automatic, I found the ride was not as smooth as I expected.The speed rose quickly wihout any problem, but the journey back to zero invariably contained a jolt or two.A unique touch of the Citroen, which should not be overlooked, is the steering wheel hub which stays fixed as the wheel turns around it.While it was a bit disconcerting at first, I soon realised that it means all the buttons and controls mounted on the steering wheel hub stay in the same position for ease of reference. The Citroen C4 scores top marks for style, accessories and comfort but could do a little better in the performance stakes.Low-down power from the 2.0-litre could do with some work, particularly if there is a load on board. That comes in the more powerful high-performance 2-litre engine in the sporty VTS model C4, but that is another story.Fitting into the Citroen range between the C3 small car and the C5 saloon, the C4 also rates well for safety.It has plenty of equipment, boasts a five-star crash-test rating and is particularly pedestrian friendly.The C4 is competitive with the other cars in its market on fuel consumption with a combined cycle figure of 8.1L/100km.The bottom line is always price. The C4 actually starts at $25,990 for the 1.6-litre coupe and hatch base models. However the model I tested costs $33,990 because it comes with a few options, which push up the price.That includes metallic paint ($700), the leather pack with driver's electric seat, two-position memory and heating ($3500) plus the innovative and, dare I say must-have, full length glass sunroof ($1500).Nonetheless the C4 represents the height of French flair and innovation when compared to its rivals in 2005.

Its $15,990 price tag makes it the cheapest little guy in the one-tonne bonneted market and it can carry 800kg, giving it the biggest payload in its class.

And lot of the commotion involves the sassy C4, pictured, which Citroen considers pivotal to continuing its significant sales growth in recent seasons.So with much ado the expectations for the C4 are programmed way north of above average.Positioned above the cute entry level C3 and below the C5, this French newcomer conveys a fresh design approach.There are crisp, contemporary lines, the C4 taking a striking and stylish form.Inside there are innovations with a multi-function steering wheel which takes the operation of the trip computer, sound system, cruise control etc to another level.There is the centrally-mounted digital speedo and instrument read-out, quality finish and a warm cabin with savvy architecture.The instrument cluster, to some may seem an innovation, although Toyota would argue that they broke the mould in this funky design when the Echo landed here in October, 1999.What is without question with the C4 is the high levels of standard equipment.Included across the model variants are six airbags, anti-locking ABS brakes, Electronic Brake Force Distribution, remote locking, cruise control and the tricky multi-function controls on the tiller.So internally the C4 comes up smelling like roses, and on that subject the cabin aroma can be changed to suit individual tastes with in-built air fresheners which can waft through the vents with a variety of fragrances to choose from.These C4s are fun and functional inside with interior dimensions similar to a Mazda3, although the Citroen is slightly wider and higher.More direct rivals include the 307, from Citroen's PSA stablemate Peugeot, the Renault Megane and Volkswagen Golf.It cuts a smart figure on the road where, as one comes to expect from the marque, the ride quality is sumptuous.Perhaps the 2-litre engine is a little undercooked, needing a bit more squirt, although it is armed with a healthy dollop of torque.Mated to a four-speed automatic box with sequential function the C4 runs strongly with the crowd on the highway but just needs a little bit more urge down low which is particularly evident loaded up with a couple of passengers and some luggage.It handles diligently and is dynamically as competent as anything else in its class.This replacement for the Xsara, which continues to kick backsides in the World Rally Championship, is loaded with safety gear and has a 5-star crash-test rating as well as one of the highest ratings in terms of being pedestrian-friendly.At the bowser the C4 consumed about just over 10litres/100km.The contentious point however is that hoary old chestnut — price.As tested this automatic C4 was $33,990.If you wish you can blow out the sticker price with options that include metallic paint ($700), premium leather pack with driver's electric seat, two-position memory and heating ($3500) and full length glass sunroof ($1500).The C4 is chic and plugs an important hole in the Citroen range.

A short sprint to the shops? Two of our testers chose the other car in their garages for that work – one was a Datsun 240Z and the other a 1987 Subaru Brumby ute.Does that tell you something?We would love to love the C5, but it is for a select group of people who know what they want. For most, other cars would do the same job a lot better, unless you're planning retirement and the Big Trip.The C5 is beautifully comfortable, with soft front buckets that get better over a distance, and there is no questioning the standard equipment, the efficiency of the air-con, or the way the car can cover kilometres.The Hydractive suspension copes with the worst roads with minimal effort. It can be raised to boost clearance on gnarly gravel and that makes it fine for regular country driving.But the C5 is big and heavy, and even its huge torque cannot make it a city sprinter. You get left behind all the time, and it needs a bit of warning for overtaking work.The payback is excellent economy, averaging 7.2 litres/100km during our test, and we saw less than five litres on the trip computer during highway cruising. At that rate, it will cover 800km between stops and could be coaxed beyond 1000km on a relaxed Outback run.But, still, we also found ourselves thinking more about rivals – and other cars we would prefer to drive – during a lot of our time with the C5. At one point there was a Toyota Avalon alongside and it seemed a nicer choice.Considering what we think of the Avalon, which is ideal as a taxi, you can see what we think of the Citroen.Still, it proves Citroen has stayed faithful to its core values and that is good news for the latest generation of small and medium-sized cars. They have more style and perk, but are still good for tough roads and easy on fuel.In the same price and size range as the Citroen we'd be looking at the latest Peugeot 407 diesels and the Renault Laguna. All three are from France, but the 407 and Laguna would rate higher with most shoppers.Then there are the Volkswagen Passat and even the Saab 9-3, which would be better for many buyers.

It presumes that the driver is having 40 winks and is designed to bring him/her back to reality.It is pertinent that it is Citroen that is the developer of this potentially life-saving device.This is because one drive of the Citroen C5 — the biggest of the French car maker's range to be sold here — is like cuddling up for a few hours with the world's softest doona.I'll add quickly that the vibrating seat is on the latest C4, and is yet to be fitted to the bigger C5.Few cars, actually probably none, have such a long-sprung, fluid progress that is the envy of every mattress-maker in the land.In becoming the benchmark for Beds Plus, the new C5 gets an even better hydraulic suspension, which now has a sport-mode for (slightly) flatter cornering stance, and a level ride regardless of load.Drive over speed humps and there's no clanging, banging, bump or, indeed, any jolt to the occupants' bodies.Fascinating stuff.On the freeway, the ride is so comfy and the floating sensation so close to bedtime after a hot Milo, that things could become too relaxed.The first corner puts everything back into perspective.The suspension is so compliant that the C5 is ready to lean quite quickly into the corners, with only its tenacious front-wheel-drive grip left to maintain dignity.It's actually a good handler, but the car's large size and the long-travel suspension make it feel less poised than a conventional sedan.The fantastic ride enjoyed by passengers is matched only by the cavernous room within this car.It's as big as a Statesman in the rear seat, with a huge boot accessed easily via an oversized hatch.The version tested had all the fruit, with soft leather and lots of electrically operated equipment. More noticeable was the higher standard of build quality than the previous model.All the fruit and the high standard of finish arrive for good reason — at about $52,000, this car is no cheapie.Its up against the likes of the Statesman and Fairlane, so it has to be good.It's rather tame, 2.2-litre, four-cylinder, turbo-diesel engine at first appears to be a deficiency.In the land where the V8 is king, it's a big ask to find converts.But appearances are deceptive. The Hdi common-rail turbocharged, intercooled diesel engine — new for 2005 and with an extra 200cc — is a burster, with truckloads of torque arriving low down in the rev range, and only some initial hesitation there to thwart any performance urges.It's matched to a four-speed automatic which is an absolute treat, boasting sequential change for those who like to play manual gearboxes.That lovely ride impacts a bit on the steering system, which is as vague as a teenage soapie star and requires concentration to keep on an accurate line.The C5 comes standard with leather, electric seats, premium sound system, alloy wheels, one of the highest safety ratings around, electric windows and mirrors, auto wipers and headlights, cruise control, and so on.It is simply a nice piece of work, made all the more impressive by the new grille and boomerang tail lights.

Citroens in general are not everyone's cup of tea, although local importers have high hopes for the compact C4 to lift numbers to 3500 by Christmas next year.But the Citroen marque and its rich and wonderful heritage remain an enigma to many. Add a diesel engine option and there's more mystery.Yet there is much to be admired and used in a Citroen across Australia, best appreciated on long drives over indifferent roads.For a C5 diesel Citroen is a great tourer with its own, albeit small, cult following.The hydraulic suspension offers excellent ride comfort, the diesel engine offers good fuel economy and there is the style to stand out from the herd. This C5 is also "the safest car" yet tested by EuroNCAP, scoring 36 out of a possible 37 in the crash tests.This year's diesel model arrives in the reworked body with its clean, simple and distinctive nose and hippy profile which leads to a fair amount of passenger and cargo space under the rear hatch opening.The $51,990 C5 diesel is kitted out with leather and automatic climate control airconditioning, stereo and trip computer plus lots of electric helpers from seats to windows.It is a nice machine to be trekking from one end of the Gold Coast for early morning triathlons to the other end of the Sunshine Coast for football matters on a sunny Sunday.It fires up with the hint of an old Magna with a couple of tappets out of whack, just a faint clatter.This is smoothed out and away with a few revs on board and the C5 surfs through the traffic.The Citroen is effortless out on the highway, engine revs sitting just above 2000rpm at 110km/h and trip computer reckoning on 6 to 8 litres per 100km on a gentle road.Give the turbocharged 2.2 litre engine a tickle with the boot, or flick back from fourth to third, and there's an easy and smooth surge of reassuring, if not neck-breaking, acceleration.There are 98kW at 4000rpm, 314Nm of torque at 4000rpm.So the first couple of starts from the traffic lights needs a touch more throttle application than a V6 Commodore but the C5 is smart enough.Using the gearbox manually helps but the shift from first to second is pretty short.There is a Sport setting for the suspension but in the main best to let it get on with its own business. It loafs over speed bumps, keeps little lumps and bumps at bay on the open road.It is not a sports tourer. There is decent feel to the steering and good road holding but the handling is on the softer side of sharp.There is never any drama with the C5's road manners, it just prefers the long-distance runs rather than a sprint up a mountainside.Back and around the city streets the C5 is flexible and family friendly.There is an easy charm to the cabin and good visibility in most directions although that driver's exterior mirror with split screen takes some adjustment.It is gentle, comfortable and safe. There are seven airbags around the cabin, including a knee bag for the driver.The Citroen C5 diesel is a safe, comfortable and cosseting machine with good accommodation for people and luggage (through that big rear hatch) plus good economy.It is not cheap but offers value. It will not appeal to a huge crowd but those who drive any distance in style will be much appreciative.

It dares to try new ideas and explore different ways of achieving the same result where other manufacturers are content to follow the tried and tested path.Sometimes Peugeot's inventive cousin gets it right (they're part of the same parent company) but at other times the results have left people scratching their heads in wonder?In the case of the new C4, however, we're happy to report that the French car marker has not only got it right but has finished near the top of its class.School, my friends, is in, the subject is French automotive engineering and Citroen is delivering the lecture on how it should be done.Interestingly, one of the hallmarks of Citroen design is that cars must be instantly recognisable from a distance of 200 metres.The company actually drafts members of the public to ensure this, work-shopping designs against those of competitors.The C4 combines stylish, appealing, you might even say head-turning good looks, with sparkling performance and an impressive array of technology designed to make the car safer and easier to operate.Australian importer Ateco Automotive has high hopes for this one and from what we have seen so far, these aspirations are justified.Based on the same platform as Peugeot's 307 model, C4 comes in two body shapes _ a three-door coupe and five-door hatch with four engines from which to chose.Of the pair, the dormer windowed coupe with its high mounted rear wing and rally bred performance is the standout.The lower rear glass window panel looks opaque from most angles, but provides a clear view from the driver seat, with a tiny wiper to keep it clear.In terms of construction, the two are completely different from the windscreen pillar back.The entry level C4 is powered by a 1.6-litre, four cylinder petrol engine, followed by 2.0-litre and high performance 2.0-litre petrol variants plus a 1.6-litre turbo diesel.We had the chance to sample the 2.0-litre auto and potent 130kW VTS manual coupe.The 2.0-litre engine delivers 103kW of power and 200Nm of torque, while the VTS with a different engine management system pumps out 130kW and 202Nm.Note the difference in torque is just 2Nm and in the case of the 2.0-litre auto, this torque is delivered lower in the rev range _ 4000rpm as against 4750rpm.As a result, it offers the same sort of punch down low, coupled as it is to a four-speed tipshift style auto.However, the hatch is no match for the five- speed VTS which quickly finds its legs on the open road.The VTS sprints from 0-100km/h in 8.3 seconds. Handling is excellent with electronic stablity control on these two models but the ride can become choppy on anything but smooth roads.The VTS is not the fastest car out there but offers high levels of performance and isa very satisfying car to drive.The C4 has a maximum five-star safety rating. and is specifically designed to minimise injury to pedestrians in an accident.Inside, passengers are protected by six airbags.Apart from distinctive design, a number of unique elements have been included in the car.The centre hub of the steering wheel is fixed, for instance, and only the outside allowed to turns.This allows more controls to be mounted on the wheel were they are more easily reached.The speedometer meanwhile is located high atop of the dash, with a large easy to read translucent LCD screen.A tacho is mounted on top of the steering wheel and lights up like a beacon when redline is reached.An air fragrance dispenser is incorporated into the airconditioning system, with a range of 12 scents from which to chose.Citroen's Lane Departure Warning System will be offered later in the year as an option, with its ability read linemarkings and warn drivers when they stray from the lane in which they are travelling.Standard equipment includes ABS, aircon- ditioning and cruise control with a speed limiter. A full size spare is included.C4 is priced from $25,990 up to $36,990 for the VTS coupe.Any colour but white will cost you $700.

Side mirrors fold out and the car's self-levelling suspension system takes over, lowering the car for faster highway driving or raising it for rougher roads.Open the boot and the rear end lifts up – ready for all that shopping.This is an intelligent car. And what manners!When it gets dark or you drive into a car park or tunnel, the lights come on automatically.If it rains, the windscreen wipers start swishing – automatically.And when the wipers start, the windows go up – automatically.So...when turning into a dark car park, if you flick the windscreen wipers on instead of the indicator (because they're on the opposite side of the wheel to what you're used to) and the lights turn on and windows go up, don't panic (like I did). It's just doing what it does – automatically.A smooth operator is the C5.Handsome, trim body (not too long or bulky), smartly dressed in soft leather, well appointed and easy to manipulate, er, manoeuvre. Tactful too – no bells and whistles when you do something wrong. Just a gentle reminder on the dash when you forget to buckle up.You'll come face to face with some stunning French features, such as the good-looking dash, nifty compartments that fold away into the dash and door trims, armrests that stop where you want them to and even cup holders that double as gadget gatherers.But when will designers get the hint that the plastic fake wood trim they insist on using to mark a top-of-the-range model looks just like, well, plastic fake wood trim? Ugh.The C5 wagon is family oriented. Lots of room in the back for children, and the rear seats split 60/40 or fold down completely to fit longer, larger loads.A cargo net stops anything stored in the back from ending up in the front, and another net stops items from rolling around the huge space. There's even a pull-out cover to make whatever you do have in the back look neat.The back armrest folds down and opens to a peep hole – perfect size for a petite pooch to fit through.As far as the ride goes, it's a little "clunky" and indecisive at low speeds. . But put your foot down and the C5's turbo kicks in and really performs . . . and it doesn't drink too much (half a tank will cover about 700km).A tip: make sure to read up on the manual for this model. There are more buttons than you can poke your finger at and more features than you can possibly hope to fumble your way through in a week of test driving.LOVE IT, LEAVE ITCitroen C5 HDiPrice: $47,490Love it:It does a lot of the thinking for you. Perfect armrest positioning.Leave it:The diesel chatter. An English friend thought a London taxi had pulled up in his drive.Too many levers on the steering wheel.

Take, for example, the car we've just finished driving – Citroen's C5 HDi Estate.To be frank, our first impressions were not too complimentary. I found it noisy, desperately slow and, if that wasn't enough, it didn't even strike me as being all that pretty to look at.But I guess that's why we test cars over a few days, rather than just a quick spin around the block.Because, ever so slowly, this car began to win me over. Slowly being the operative word. It took a while to warm to a car that takes forever to get itself up and running, but the Citroen earned our affection in other ways.In part, it's because I became used to its rather unique style and its "relaxed" pace.Mainly, though, we loved the fact that even after driving it for more than a week, the fuel gauge was still showing almost half full.So every time we'd spot a fuel station with prices reading well over $1 a litre, our Citroen C5 HDi Estate just kept on chugging happily past.There's a reason for that, which I should explain. The HDi bit means this car is powered by a diesel engine; the Estate part is Euro-talk for station wagon; and the Citroen bit, well, that means it's French. And, if you know anything about French cars, that also means it's a bit quirky.The Citroen name always reminds me of those exotic cars they built during the '60s and '70s; big, sleek-backed things with pneumatic suspension which, when stationary, would drop the rear-end almost to the ground.They looked like a cross between a giant cockroach and something from another world which, in those days, they were.Although Citroens don't look quite as "alien" these days, they still have a unique style and that pneumatic suspension remains, even if it's a bit more sophisticated.And then there's the diesel engine, the likes of which have become hugely popular in Europe.Unfortunately for Citroen, the C5's diesel is probably a generation behind some of the latest oil-burners, like those in the Audi A3/VW Golf, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and BMW's X5.By comparison, the Citroen diesel is a bit sluggish. At best. This was never more evident than when I pulled alongside an old truck, loaded up with boxes of fruit, at the traffic lights...and struggled to get ahead of it once the lights changed.Changing the automatic transmission into "sport" mode helped a bit, but not much. We're talking about 15 seconds for the 0-100km/h "sprint".At least the C5 has nice, plush leather seats, complete with arm rests in the front, so you can be comfortable while waiting for it to get motoring. And once it does, the big wagon isn't a bad thing at all. It handles well, even though that pneumatic suspension makes the ride feel a little soft and vague.It's nicely fitted out and smartly finished. You get dual-zone climate control air; top-notch CD-stereo with wheel-mounted controls; automatic lights and rain-sensing wipers, electric everything (including mirrors that fold themselves in when you turn the engine off) plus lashings of leather. All pretty good buying for well under $50-grand.Over a few weeks, we tested both the petrol-engined C5 sedan and diesel-engined Estate. Interestingly, it's the smartly-performed petrol version which Citroen is finding hardest to sell, even offering free trips to Paris for new buyers. Strange, really, because we thought it was a lovely thing.So why would you opt for the diesel variant? Well it makes enormous sense if you're travelling regular long distances.A work colleague recently began commuting from the Sunshine Coast to Brisbane every day and reported that the C5 diesel made the journey, a daily round trip of about 180km, almost five times on one tank of fuel. That's fabulous going for a car so big, comfortable and so able to swallow a huge load.Even around town, we were astonished to see the digital trip computer showing the C5 sipping just 7l/100km in heavy traffic. On the open road it will manage closer to five.At highway speeds (once you get there) it's competent if not inspiring. It will happily sit on the speed limit but it's not exactly dynamic when you need to overtake.I was a bit surprised to find my wife, who's never been a fan of noisy diesel engines, defending the Citroen."I think it's very nice. I don't know what you're complaining about," she said.It's too slow, I protested. "You drive too fast," came the reply. "Nothing wrong with it."So the Citroen, it seems, has even won over a committed diesel-hater.And, I'd have to admit, by the end of the week it had won me over too.Ever so slowly.

In Europe they have known about the benefits of diesel power for years and here in Oz the 4WD fraternity seems to finally have the message, but diesel powered passenger vehicles are something of a rarity.That's a shame because there are some real beauties out there like the Citroen C5 Estate.I remember pulling up next to a bloke at the tip not long ago as he was emptying the rear of his C5 wagon. He loved the car but rued the fact he had not been able to get a diesel – it wasn't available at the time.Citroen has rectified this situation with the recent release of the Citroen C5 HDi Estate.The C5 has been one of the stars in Citroen's Aussie lineup, with diesel models now outselling petrol ones with rising fuel prices.The wagon is stylish, larger than you think and not as expensive as you might believe.The HDi is powered by a hi-tech, 2.0-litre turbo charged common rail, direct injection diesel engine that produces 82kW of power and 255Nm of torque.Don't be too concerned about the power because it is the torque figuure that we are concerned about here, produced from a low 1750rpm.Torque is the stuff that gets cars off the line in a hurry and makes short work of long hills – and the Citroen has plenty of it.Combine this with an overall fuel consumption figure of 6.7L/100km and that gives the wagon with a 68-litre tank a theoretical range of 1000km.In the real world this translates to between 800 and 900km – still pretty impressive.Many people mistakenly believe that diesels are slow, noisy and blow lots of smoke. That may have been the case at one time but the diesel engine has come on in leaps and bounds in the last couple of years.The C5 HDi lacks the punch and urgency of a petrol engine, but is certainly no slouch. However, it is on the freeway where the low revving engine really comes into its own.The wagon comes in one fully specified model with tipshift auto tranny, climate controlled air, stability control and many other luxury features.On the road it is a little quick to get into second gear, but there is a sport option that retards gear changes or it is possible to switch to full manual mode.Citroens are famous for their variable suspension and the C5 is no exception, rising automatically for rough roads and dropping down to reduce drag on the freeway.You can also raise and lower the car for loading.The wagon is is a big comfy user friendly car that tends to grow on you, with a large airy interior, plenty of rear legroom and stacks of load space.Thoughtful additions include a reversible rubber backed luggage mat and a cord cargo barrier that slides forward when the rear seats are dropped.The tailgate window can be opened separately for quick access.Handling is good without quite being sporty and brakes are also good, but have a tendency to grab.There is an annoying amount of momentum as the car comes to a stop and the transmission changes down.The Citroen C5 Hdi Estate is priced from $47,490 plus on road costs.