2026 Citroen E-Dispatch Reviews

We live in strange times — or at least under a Federal Government that has some strange ideas about things on four wheels. A big, heavy luxury SUV cops less tax than a more efficient, cleaner imported car. Diesel is less expensive to produce than petrol yet costs more at the pump than premium unleaded. Diesel cars are more fuel efficient than petrol equivalents, yet continue to command a price premium. Perhaps the only surprise is that Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan hasn't stuck an import duty on the cars we present here for being too efficient. It would be in keeping with the logic of his budget. All cars listed here offer official or claimed fuel consumption of less than five litres per 100km (56 miles per gallon by the old measure) in ideal conditions. Fiat 500 1.3 JTD Pop $25,990 4.2L/100km Such was the demand for diesel that Fiat Australia has expanded its availability to the top of the 500 range's Lounge trim. If the existing Pop lacks the Lounge level of spec, it has all its desirability and efficiency. In fact, official figures place this immensely cute and quite practical re-born 500 as the most fuel-efficient auto on the Australian market. The smallest of the Fiat Group's turbo diesel, the 1.3 is a shade laggedly but winds up nicely to provide a cruisability that belies itscapacity. The DINK's city car par excellence: if the 500 doesn't raise a smile, then it's you that's wrong. Citroen C3 HDi $23,990 4.4L/100km While the French marque's reputation for reliability gets nowhere near Japanese surety, Citroen does chic in a way that, shall we say, Toyota doesn't. That Prius-equalling consumption is achieved with 65kW/215Nm 1.6-litre turbo diesel that utterly erases the petrol C3s for efficiency and performance. It typifies the “downsizing but upspeccing” paradigm that has seen sales of light and small cars overwhelm the “Falcodores”. While we do try to be enlightened, we gotta to say that if the C3 is chic, it's also for chicks. Sorry. Toyota Prius II $37,400 4.4L/100km The world's most successful automotive marketing exercise, one which has caused denuded whole forests for paper devoted to its praise, the Prius is synonymous with lean and green motoring. Another paradox is that being as visually appealing as a chunk of cheddar has enhanced rather than damaged its appeal. It's distinctive and that's what counts. What's the point of making an eco-statement if no one knows you're making one? The Prius comes into its own in commuter traffic, where the constant throttle needed to extract the best return from diesel is hard to maintain. If anodyne to drive in the Toyota fashion, it's by no means awful with quite responsive and reasonably direct handling. Too dear, though. Fiat Punto 1.3 JTD $25,490 4.5L/100km Rather more practical than the 500, the larger Fiat achieves its frugal consumption via a robotised six-speed sequential manual; one that does without a clutch pedal and provides an automatic drive mode, minimising the emission spikes that occur when gear changing in a conventional manual. If you can do without the rear seat headroom and don't mind joining a queue, take the 500. Fiat have invested too much in this car for it to flop qualitively. The Punto's interior does not inspire the same confidence. Audi A3 1.9 TDIe $38,900 diesel 4.5L/100km This hugely efficient and incredibly clean (119g of CO2/km) turbo diesel is absolutely a Prius rival, both in terms of its figures and mad pricing. An eco-conscience can come with a considerable cost but, in this instance, at least you get a decent badge for your splodge (never you mind that it's all Volkswagen Golf underneath). We've yet to test this particular car — that comes in a few weeks — but on the basis of other Golf/A3 diesels, the 77kW/250Nm provided by this unit promises to make being green slightly easier to bear. Citroen C4 SX HDi $30,990 diesel 4.5L/100km Again you've got to go for the sequential/robotised transmission to realise this figure from the 1.6-litre 80kW/240Nm diesel — which is probably no hardship given how most of you bleat about having to change gears for yourself. Harden the frack up, Australia ... Anyway, this version of Peugeot's 307 in a smarter suit is a cleverly-designed number that manages to afford more usable passenger space than certain bigger cars. You'll not quickly tire of instruments and features that initially appear quirky but are indeed highly practical. Though not the most composed drive on RTA roads and never in danger of providing excitement, the C4 would probably be the family pick from those here. Honda Civic Hybrid $32,990 4.6L/100km This Honda would run the Citroen close, though. A 1.3-litre petrol-electric hybrid that's much cheaper than the Prius, the Civic attracts infinitely less attention just by virtue of the fact it looks like a common-or-garden Civic, rather than an advertisement for itself. A good but almost forgotten thing, we'll be revisiting the hybrid Honda in depth in the coming weeks. Hyundai i30 SX CRDi $21,490 4.7L/100km Carsguide's Car of 2007, in case we haven't mentioned it recently, at least with the $1300 safety pack that includes stability control and the full complement of airbags. With its responsive 85kW/2455Nm 1.6-litre diesel, the i30 is a spacious, European-designed hatch that dispels any lingering notions about Korean cars. If such doubts do linger, there's always its five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty. Steering feel and standard rubber leave something to be desired, but we liked it. So will you.   What do you think about hybrid cars, bio fuels and all things green? Have your say.    

It has a small diesel engine, so you assume the performance will be snail-like as well. Wrong on both counts when it comes to the nifty Citroen C3 HDi, $23,990 of diesel-propelled French chic on little alloy wheels. This petite five-door hatchback's rounded body, evoking memories of Citroen's iconic 2CV, turns out to be practical as well as cute. Large windows give the cabin an airy feel, and you find loads of space inside. There's headroom aplenty, and the boot is surprisingly generous for a car that's well under 4m long. Though small, it feels sturdy, and there is a refreshing charm about the whole package. So while the C3 obviously carries on Citroen's proud tradition of vive la difference, in this case there is substance to go with the quirky style. So often, “quirky” is a polite way of saying that something is awkward to use, but here it is endearing, with apparently no drawbacks. Well, almost none: I never did grow to like the seats. They look OK, but give the impression you're perched on top. Perhaps this is Citroen's way of making you drive cautiously, lest you fall off your perch. Care is advisable, because the major notable absentee from the C3's lengthy equipment list is a stability control system. Sorry, but that's reserved for its larger C4 sibling. There have been C3 hatches around for more than five years, but the HDi version is the latest arrival, added as Citroen spreads diesel engines to all corners of its range. At just 1.6 litres, it is only a small engine, but no matter because the C3 is only a small car. Anyway, a turbocharger helps give it a decent punch. To make the most of power, performance and fuel economy, there is no automatic transmission option. At first acquaintance the C3 HDi can seem rather sleepy, but it can deliver brisk acceleration. Diesels are all the rage, and this is one of the cheapest: Among the pint-sized diesel brigade, the Hyundai i30 and VW Polo cost less than the Citroen, the Fiat Punto costs the same, the Fiat 500 and Peugeot 207 cost more. Its official fuel consumption figure of 4.4 litres per 100km is the same as the Toyota Prius Hybrid. Not that that's comparing apples with apples: the costlier Toyota achieves its result on petrol. In the real world, a combination of easy-going highway running and trickle-along traffic snarls, the C3 I was driving gave excellent economy, averaging 4.7 litres per 100km. Since it has a 47-litre fuel tank, count on going almost 1000km between refills. Hopefully that's far enough to find a servo with diesel at a price that won't break the budget. CITROEN C3 HDi: Five-door hatchback powered by 1.6 litre turbodiesel with five-speed gearbox. Power 66kW. Torque 215Nm. FEATURES: Front and side airbags, anti-lock brakes, alloy wheels, airconditioning, power windows, trip computer, six-speaker sound system, cargo cover, remote central locking, split-fold rear seat. PRICE: $23,990. RIVALS: Peugeot 207, Fiat Punto and 500, VW Polo, Hyundai i30. FOR: Personality and economy. AGAINST: Those seats. SUMMING UP: Little French charmer

Resale and battery issues aside, there has always been much conjecture about the virtues, environmental or otherwise about petrol/electric hybrids, particularly as there are some small diesel cars around these days that weaken the case for buying a hybrid for reasons of fuel economy. Prime case is Citroen's C3 HDi. There is now a nifty 1.6-litre diesel sitting pretty in the nose of the cute C3 — and it delivers quite a bit of punch once the revs rise beyond 2000rpm. It is armed with 66kW of power and a significant 215Nm of torque. Around town it is quite tractable, as more torque at lower revs means fewer gear changes in the cut-and-thrust of the peak-hour commute. On a 700km test run trudging to and from the Gold Coast into Brisbane's CBD, the little French hatch was sipping a little over 4.6 litres per 100km (factory claim is 4.4 litres per 100km on a combined run, so we weren't far off). It means you can stretch your travel a long, long way on one 47-litre tank. As with the petrol versions, the diesel has a long list of equipment starting with the full package of front airbags as well as lateral airbags for the front occupants. There are digital read-outs for the speedo and odometer and trip computer but in contrast there is an analogue strip-style rev counter. There is some degree of fuss with the trip controls. Typically the French like these incorporated into the steering wheel-mounted stalks and there remains a degree of guesswork in the location of volume controls for the stereo system, which are at the rear of the right-hand windscreen wiper stalk. Apart from fiddly ergonomics the interior is a fashionable place, and funky and light. There is good comfort from the front seats and a large glasshouse offering superb all-round vision. This is worth a look if you are interested in French flair mixed with some substance and a broad, user-friendly appeal as a city commuter. It also has a good options list that includes five-stack CD and leather.

Resale and battery issues aside, there has always been much conjecture about the virtues, environmentally or otherwise about petrol/electric hybrids, particularly as there are some small diesel cars around these days that weaken the case for buying a hybrid for reasons of fuel economy. Prime case is Citroen's C3 HDi. There is now a nifty 1.6-litre diesel nestled in the nose of the cute C3. It delivers quite a deal of punch once the revs rise beyond 2000rpm. It is armed with 66kW of power and a significant 215Nm of torque. Around town it is quite tractable, more torque at lower revs means fewer gear changes in the cut-and-thrust of the peak-hour commute. On a 700km test run trudging to and from the Gold Coast into Brisbane's CBD, the little French hatch was sipping a little over 4.6 litres per 100km (factory claim is 4.4 litres per 100km on a combined run). You can stretch your travel a long, long way on one 47-litre tank. As with the petrol versions, the diesel has a long list of equipment starting with the full package of front airbags as well as lateral airbags for the front occupants. There are digital readouts for the speedo and odometer and trip computer but in contrast there is an analogue strip-style rev counter. There is some degree of fuss with the trip controls. Typically the French like these incorporated into the steering wheel-mounted stalks; there remains a degree of guesswork in the location of volume controls for the stereo system, which are at the rear of the right-hand windscreen wiper stalk. Apart from fiddly ergonomics the interior is a fashionable place, funky and light. There is good comfort from the front seats and a large glasshouse for a small hatch offers superb all-round vision. This is worth consideration if you are interested in a little French flair mixed with some substance and a broad user-friendly appeal as a city commuter. On the options list there are auto lights and auto wipers, reverse sensors, electric sunroof, metallic paint, five-stack CD player and leather upholstery.

Australian car-makers have never quite grasped that many of us no longer live on quarter-acre blocks with white picket palisades in suburbs straight from Neighbours. But style, luxury, comfort and even performance needn't be sacrificed at the altar of practicality or forsaken in the pursuit of greenness. Only a decade ago, Volkswagen's Golf was considered a small car, but the current model is quite big enough for a family mobile. Beneath that, there's an emerging class of diminutive but dynamically pleasing, usefully spacious and (of increasing importance) eco-friendly city cars. It's the segment that shows less in terms of horsepower really can be more in terms of liveability and sustainability. In terms of luxury, too: you can downsize but up-spec - and cut quite a figure when you do. When a car weighs not much more than a tonne, low fuel consumption and low emissions are pretty much guaranteed. The Citroen C2 and C3 won't win any traffic-light derbies, but they do tick both those green boxes and the less tangible - but just as important - one marked “style”. In terms of reliability, it's said there's no such thing as French without tears, but it's hard not to be enamoured of the chic siblings. Our selections would be the C2 VTS with 1.6-litre petrol engine or the C3 Hdi with super-frugal, 1.6-litre turbo diesel (both from $23,990). The latter variant would also be the overwhelmingly popular choice in Paris. Italy gave the world the original city car, designed to provide affordable personal transport while being able to park on a postage stamp. It was the Fiat 500. The reborn, and instantly iconic, Fiat 500 fulfils that brief as a chunk of retro chic that's also fun to drive. Our choice is the top-spec Lounge variant, priced from $25,990 with a perky 1.4-litre petrol engine mated to a six-speed manual. If the 500 doesn't raise a smile, you probably don't like sunny days, either. There's also the option of a robotised manual transmission with auto-drive mode. It dispenses with both a clutch pedal and the emission spikes that occur when you change ratios in a conventional gearbox. And, with seven airbags, the ESP-equipped top models in the 500 range have better crash-safety credentials than a Falcodore. The Honda Jazz has been around longer than any other car mentioned here but, in several respects, it remains the benchmark for city cars. Honda's build quality is world-leading; the Jazz's space, practicality and economy are class-leading. Although a small engine combines best with a manual gearbox, it's equally true that changing gears for yourself is a dying art. So try the range-topping VTi-S with continuously variable transmission and 1.5-litre powerplant at $22,920. In the next-size-up Civic range, Honda offers a petrol/electric model which has been submerged beneath the decidedly eco-unfriendly mountain of print devoted to Toyota's Prius. The Civic Hybrid ($32,990) is massively cheaper than the Prius and at least looks like a car rather than a self-conscious eco-statement. Anyone who equates Hyundai with its old $13,990 drive-away-then-chuck-it-away days is labouring under a mighty misapprehension. The new Hyundai i30 has won car-of-the-year awards both here and in Europe (where this, the best car ever built in Korea, was designed). The 1.6-litre diesel-powered models take it up to just about any supposedly more prestigious European equivalent you care to name. The name of our preferred variant, the SX CRDi (from $21,490, plus $1500 for the safety pack) is the only clunky thing about it. More Australians spent their own money on a Mazda3 last year than on any other car. It's the fourth-best seller overall but, unlike the top three, there are no fleet sales among them. Sales-wise, the newer, next-size-down Mazda2 will run its bigger brother close this year. And so it should, being, if anything, an even more convincing package. Diminutive in stance but capacious within, cute to the eye but perhaps the best-driving car here, tolerably rapid but easy on fuel and easy to park, the Mazda2 Maxx (from $18,710) is the ideal city car. Nor will it fall short when freeway trips are required. Frankly, it's brilliant - and a cheaper, lighter, more efficient coupe version will arrive in Australia shortly. Look out also for the Peugeot 107, due mid-year. It will slot under the 207's entry-level ask of $19,990. If you remember the Top Gear episode in which a game of five-a-side football was played using Toyota Aygos, the 107 is the same car, made in the same factory, but with different badges. Actually, it's cars like the 107 and the Fiat 500 that make us look askance at Smart's ForTwo (from $19,990). Yes, it's very clever, but Sydney isn't yet Turin, despite the epic ineptitude of the RTA and our Roads Minister. Besides, you've got an allocated parking space downstairs. So why go without a boot and back seats? Toyota's Yaris shows how a small car can fit a family, although you really need to ignore the base models and go straight to the YRX (from $20,790). Of course, it's the Prius that gets all the attention in Toyota's range; as such, it's the world's most successful automotive marketing exercise. Granted, the hybrid-powered Prius uses staggeringly little petrol in the city, but on the open road we'd take a diesel such as Volkswagen's Polo Match TDI ($22,990).  

It's doubtful if a car buyer looking at a new Holden Commodore or Ford Falcon would contemplate putting Citroen C4 on the list. Until now. The sales figures show the swing from large cars with their petrol-guzzling six-cylinder engines to small-medium cars with four-cylinder engines. Allied to that is the rise in model choice and sales of diesel-engine cars. It's an interesting study to ponder that the Holden Commodore, for years (until now) Australia's biggest-selling car, starts at $36,790 for the Omega. It's Aussie rival, the new Ford Falcon, starts at $36,490. Undercutting both is the Citroen C4 2.0 HDi, a small-medium hatchback from France at $35,990. It has everything most drivers would want - dual-zone climate control, power windows, electric folding door mirrors, cruise control, rain-sensing wipers, auto headlights, stability control, front, side and curtain airbags, trip computer, fog lights, split-fold rear seat and alloy wheels. The Commodore Omega or Falcon XT can not match the C4's six-speed sequential shift automatic, either. Sure, the C4 is a smaller car than the big Aussies, particularly in back-seat width. But isn't it smaller cars people are wanting now? The C4 has been out for a few years and has engines including 1.6-litre and two-litre petrol units, and a 1.6-litre diesel, but this latest two-litre diesel is a beauty. It's smooth and torquey and matches well with the transmission. Its 100kW of power is no match against the big sixes. But it's no slug either. And, once rolling, the 320Nm of torque at a gentle 2000rpm has an overboost facility to 340Nm for periods of maximum effort. That even shades the torque from the Holden V6. And here's the winner; fuel consumption. The official rating for the Citroen C4 2.0 HDi is 6.6 litres/100km. I had no trouble averaging 6.5 litres/100km, even in suburban traffic. The Commodore Omega's rating is 10.8 litres/100km and it uses 64 per cent more fuel than the Citroen C4. The C4 diesel has a wonderful surge from 2000rpm, has a flat underbelly to give good aerodynamics, runs quietly (2000rpm at 110km/h) and has a comfortable driving position thanks to height and reach adjustable steering and seat, although the A-pillar set well forward requires peering around. The Citroen C4 2.0 HDi is very easy to live with. Especially on those few occasions when you call at the servo.

Motor shows are an expensive proposition, even to multi-billion dollar car manufacturers.

But that did not stop Citroen delivering a few surprises at the Brussels motor show, where the new C5 made its world debut. The arrival of the C5 sedan and wagon was joined by the Nemo Combi and C8 people mover. The C5 sedan and wagon, as well as the Nemo van, are on track to arrive here this year, the C5 in September and the van soon after. However, those wanting to drive a C8 will be able to do so only through the Citroen DriveEurope lease program. There are no plans to sell the people mover here. The C5 shares sophisticated running gear with the C6 and has a two-mode Hydractive 3 Plus suspension. It comprises a double wishbone and linked hub carrier at the front and a rear multi-link set-up with a drop-link longitudinal arm. Visually the C5 shares some design elements with the C6, from the concave rear window to the extended roof line. Inside, the car uses a similar fixed-hub steering wheel to the C4's. A central display screen provides a range of information. As with other premium European sedans, the C5 has an electric parking brake with hill-start assist to hold the car stationary for up to two seconds after the brake pedal is released. Because the C5 is based on the C6 and Peugeot 407, it is slightly longer and wider than the current model but 26mm lower on a 70mm longer wheelbase. Australia specifications are yet to be determined but importers say the turbo-diesels are a definite starter. In Europe there is a choice of three petrol engines and four turbo-diesels, the 80kW 2.0-litre HDi, 100kW 2.0-litre HDi, 125kW 2.2-litre HDi and range-topping 150kW 2.7-litre V6 HDi. Importer Ateco Automotive Ltd spokesman Edward Rowe says diesels account for more than 85 per cent of current C5 sales locally and are expected to climb towards 95 per cent. “The 2.2-litre twin-turbo diesel is initially manual only so will not come until it is available as an automatic,” he says. C5 prices are expected to start at about $40,000 for the entry petrol model. The Nemo Combi rounds out the Nemo family with the van version and the C8's styling brings it in line with other Citroens.  

High-efficiency engines, diesels and hybrids — which have a small petrol engine assisted by an electric motor — are in the spotlight as buyers switch to smaller and smarter cars to avoid being slugged at the petrol bowsers. Small four-cylinder cars with engines around 2.0 litres have become by far the biggest-selling group, and the smaller light-car class — mostly 1.6 litres — is on track to out-sell large cars this year. New diesel models from several brands have been unveiled at the motor show. With the focus on fuel economy, demand for hybrid-engined cars continues to increase. The most economical car on sale is the hybrid Toyota Prius (4.4 litres per 100km), followed by the diesel Citroen C4 (4.5 litres) and Honda Civic Hybrid (4.6 litres). Hybrids have reached the luxury league, with upmarket brand Lexus demonstrating the self-parking system of its $233,000 LS600hL sedan. The 10-day motor show comes as the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission issues a stern “please explain” to oil companies over recent high petrol prices. ACCC chairman Graeme Samuel last week said; “We're bewildered by the fact that they're just so insensitive to community anger and outrage at this sort of situation.” As fuel economy becomes a must-have for many car buyers, the RACQ has made “going green” the theme for its motor show stand. Club staff are advising showgoers on how to save money and help the environment when buying and driving a car, compare vehicle technologies and understand fuel consumption labels. On the stand is the most economical car at the show, running on solar power instead of petrol. It is the University of Queensland's UltraCommuter entrant in last year's World Solar Challenge run from Darwin to Adelaide. Dana Di Labio, 19, from Murrumba Downs in Brisbane's north, said she would consider buying an environmentally friendly car. “Although they are a little bit more expensive, in the long term you save money on fuel, and it puts your mind at rest to know you're doing something for the environment,” she said. RACQ general manager for external relations Gary Fites said; there was no immediate relief in sight for Queensland motorists hit by petrol prices which have doubled over the past decade, while the consumer price index has gone up 30 per cent. Bowser wowsers RACQ tips for money-saving motoring: When buying a car, choose the smallest and most fuel-efficient model that suits your needs Compare fuel consumption information Consider the lower fixed, annual and operating costs of owning a smaller car When your household has more than one car, try to use the more fuel efficient car for most travel Choose local, close destinations where possible Plan your journeys and activities Avoid driving in peak hour congestion if possible Walk, cycle or take public transport where possible Where safely possible, cruise at a reduced speed Minimise accelerating and braking Change up through the gears as soon as practical Use airconditioning only when necessary Don't warm up or idle your engine Fill your fuel tank only to the first click of the nozzle Keep your tyre pressure up to the recommended figure Remove unnecessary weight and roof racks Service your car regularly For more information on fuel economy.  

Miles Williams, general manager for Citroen in Australia, said the arrival of this new C4 variant was an illustration of how the diesel car market in Australia was maturing. “Until now, diesel sales have been primarily driven by their economy and environmental benefits and, therefore, the top sellers have been versions that optimise the price equation,” he said. “However, starting with the launch of the Citroen C6, our range-topping super-luxury model, in which the majority of sales are diesel powered, we are now seeing increasing demand for the top trim and equipment variants to be diesel powered, with owners wishing to combine comfort with economy.” With most C4 Picasso sales being the 2.0 litre turbo diesel with six-speed auto, Citroen decided to add the drive train to the C4 hatch with the top trim and equipment level. The 100kW two-litre turbo diesel engine is claimed to dash to 100kmh in 10.4 seconds, with a highway fuel consumption of 5.1 litres per 100km. It has 320Nm of torque which is lifted to 340Nm under acceleration with the over boost feature. Pricing and specifications will be announced at the show. Joining it on the Citroen stand will be the latest version of the C3, a diesel with average fuel consumption of 4.4 litres per 100km and 118g/km of CO2 emissions. It is also approved to run on commercially produced BioDiesel up to a 30 per cent blend. Citroen claims a 0-100km/h time of 10.8 seconds. It comes with four airbags, ABS, a four star Euro-NCAP crash test rating, electric windows, remote central locking and a quality audio system. Citroen will also launch later this year the C5 sedan and wagon, a new Berlingo and two new vans which fit either side of the Berlingo in size; the bigger Dispatch and the smaller Nemo. Last year Citroen recorded its 12th successive year of sales increases.