Citroen Reviews

Citroen's hallmark air suspension is everything it's hyped up to be ... a few notches below bouncing on a blow-up castle.You may sniff that this car is simply the French Falcon, mais oui, but your average frog is tres chic, demanding rear cup holders that cater for stemmed glasses.Of course, there is the old-school de rigueur front ashtray for those Gitanes as well – not so elegant. Driving needn't be a chore when you've got windscreen wipers which wave at the first sight of rain and headlights which sense when it's the darker side of twilight.I'd recommend upgrading your handbag to a tote, however, to cater for the enormous Citroen key. While it looks like a tennis racquet, it has an extra handy feature which turns the headlights on or off at a distance.Crash test dummies love Citroen C5, too, with its safety record a cut above the rest. In February, it was voted safest car ever by Euro NCAP – an independent testing agency – with almost full protection for drivers, and dummies, on front and side collisions.There are airbags aplenty – six in total on front, side and rear, plus front and rear curtain airbags – a fuel line that cuts out on impact, remote central locking that kicks in when the car takes off and an overspeed warning alarm.Safe as houses.Speaking of houses, I would gladly rip out Citroen's seats and cosy armrests and place them in my lounge room. Barring that, it is one of the more comfortable choices for the drive-in, if you are keen for a cruise to Gepps Cross.There's plenty of room in the boot for stowaways, too.Having had the fortune to do a "vertical tasting" of Citroen's C3, C4 and C5 in the past few months, I would place the family-car diesel at the top of the tree for comfort and practicality.But for those pleasure seekers without human or fur families, the C4 is a slicker, sexier option.Either way, the French Falcon is a classy car, even with the ashtray.LOVE IT LEAVE ITCitroen C5 HDi SXFour-cylinder, 2.2-litre automatic dieselPrice: $51,990LOVE ITDreamy suspension.Surprisingly quick acceleration.Leather trim.Pram-friendly boot.LEAVE ITSounds like a tractor at idle.Confusing stereo controls.Seat belt alarm.Tennis-racquet-look key.

It's not perfect, but Citroen's C4 VTS coupe looks fabulous, goes like a bull out of a gate, is very well equipped and represents very good value for money.It gets my vote as the best thing to come out of the French thoroughbred stable yet.We were impressed with the style and performance of this car when it was launched earlier this year and our recent stint behind the wheel has only served to confirm this impression.Apart from the distinctive styling, the most striking feature of the C4 is the steering wheel with its fixed centre hub.Believe it or not, the original Citroen 4C had a fixed hub too way back in the 1920s.Only the wheel itself rotates, the centre hub doesn't move which Citroen says allows it to host way more controls.The steering wheel is divided into quadrants, with each quadrant responsible for a different function.Top left is controls for the cruise and speed limiter, top right is sound system, bottom right the trip computer controls and bottom left is devoted to vehicle options such as air recycling.The centrally located LCD digital style speedo is easy to read in any light and we reckon should become a benchmark for other manufacturers.In fact, after driving a couple of cars in the past few weeks with digital speedos, we prefer them to the standard, difficult to read analogue units found in most cars.The VTS is powered by a 2.0-litre 130kW engine that can propel the car from 0-100km/ h in 8.3 seconds.A five-speed manual transmission is stan- dard.We found it necessary to feather the clutch for a clean take off.After we got over our initial excitement, we discovered the doors of the coupe are quite large and heavy making opening and closing them a chore.Access to the rear seat is via a tilt and slide mechanism, but unless you make a point of pushing the front seat all the way forward, it has a habit of sliding back again which can be really annoying.The ride is fine on smooth pavement, but get off the freeway and on to some of our secondary back roads and it quickly becomes choppy.We're not saying the suspension doesn't do its job, but it does not do a very good a job of isolating passengers from bumps.The VTS comes with a plethora of standard equipment.Six airbags are standard and the car has a five star crash rating.It is also designed to reduce injury to pedestrians.Our car was equipped with the optional JBL sound system which is another $1000 but one of the best units that we have heard.It is also MP3 friendly so that means you can fit more than 150 songs on single CD.Citroen C4 VTS is priced from $36,900 plus on road costs. 

The week immediately preceding a test in the C4 VTS was spent clocking up some swift kilometres in Volkswagen's brilliant Golf GTi.The Golf is a dazzling, brawny little four-door which delivers performance in spades.It is a giant among hot fours and the latest model is destined for greatness.The VTS is not a direct competitor in that it is not as hinged on pure performance.It is a warmed-over version of the smart and tidy C4.The Golf and Citroen are wildly different cars which attract different customers.From a standstill the VTS is not likely to get you into any kind of trouble.There are not a lot of horses low-down but that is offset to a degree by the engine's willingness to gather pace quickly.Its agility from take-off is rather innocuous through lack of immediate punch.The engine note sings with purpose and it is a more than credible performer once it's working.One of three petrol engines offered in the C4 range, this naturally aspirated 2-litre four cylinder cranks out 130kW of power.You need to maintain a reasonable amount of revs before releasing the clutch, letting first gear drive the car cleanly off the line.Chassis feel is confident as one would expect from a model which shares some of its underpinnings with PSA stablemate Peugeot's 307. Try to belt into a corner too hard and the VTS will develop a fair degree of understeer.Otherwise steering and handling remain predictable while the package retains a sweet rideability balance.The VTS is quite a frugal proposition, finishing this week-long test which covered about 700km with the attractive figures of 7.7litres/100km.Cabin ergonomics is where the C4 excels — everything is explicitly laid out and the multi-function steering wheel is a snap to decipher first-up and fun to navigate.While this is not a WRX or even in the same league of the extraordinary turbo assisted four-potters, there is much to like about the VTS if you're not into a rip-snorting ride.The fluency of the architecture, the readability of the large LCD instrument panel mounted centrally on top of the dash, the build quality and the high levels of standard kit make the VTS a compelling option at around the $37,000 mark (think similar price to Holden's Astra Turbo and the Toyota Corolla Sportivo).There is a uniqueness with the creamy, smooth elegant lines offering a genuine point of difference in a tasteful exterior form.Some similarities can be drawn from models long gone.The large rear glass which is divided and squared off gives some hint to Ford's special Laser Lynx model of the mid-1990s.But as far as borrowing any design from any previous or existing model, the C4 is pleasingly not guilty.While the VTS is not the volume player of the range, the C4 family is expected to account for about one third of Citroen's total Australian sales next year.So it belongs to a very important nameplate.

No, not in the sense that pedestrians constantly want to get into it but something more profound.The C4, rated at five stars in NCAP crash testing, is designed to minimise injury to pedestrians if the worst imaginable thing happens.It does this by having a deep front bumper made of soft plastic with energy absorbing structures beneath and a large surface area to prevent pedestrians from going under the car.A secondary benefit of the large surface area is a reduction in leg injuries.The front mudguards are of flexible plastic and the bonnet is thin aluminium sheet with the engine and other hard parts located deep in the engine bay. The bonnet is at almost the same rake as the windscreen giving less of a blunt impact area for a pedestrian.The recessed wipers are floppy and the mirrors fold out of the way. There is no protruding exterior aerial and the headlights are flush fitted with polycarbonate lenses.In theory, all should work in concert to reduce injury but who would want to find out.The car itself is great, good looking, well proportioned, roomy and practical. The 103kW, 2.0-litre, C4 hatch on test ($34 grand with auto only) is a five door bristling with innovative technology.It takes a while to acclimatise to a translucent information panel, 360 degree park assist, an option full glass roof (the entire roof), steerable bixenon headlights that see around corners and an extremely clever fixed steering wheel hub with a large airbag and up to 10 electronic controls.Engine performance is strong despite the four speed auto being a little off the pace in terms of reluctant down changes and holding gears too long. A five speeder would be better.Handling is excellent characterised by flat cornering and direct steering. The ride is comfortable and the brakes are strong.Fuel economy on test was impressive averaging around 8.0-litres/100km.It's a stylish car inside and out and is pleasant to travel in. The funky interior follows no existing layout and is good to look at and easy to use. An MP3 player is incorporated into the audio system.Remote control headlights, operated from the keypad are a real asset.This car is up near the top of the C4 range and fittingly, ticks most of the boxes. The spare is full size.C4 starts in price at $25,990 for the 1.6-litre hatch. It's worth a look.

Taking the Citroen for a spin through the curvy Stirling-Strathalbyn route was a delight, with leather steering wheel in hand guiding its passengers around each corner with ease.It may be market research gone mad but the French car maker seems to have a good idea of its buying demographic, with music to put you in the mood and a car catering for every lazy driver's desire.At the first hint of twilight, the headlights blink on, doors lock as soon as you accelerate and windscreen wipers clear away the slightest sign of rain.Forget to buckle up and the seat-belt alarm increases in volume until you obey. It bleeps again if a door is not closed properly or the handbrake is left on. If a tyre goes flat, it lets you know that, too.Parking sensors allow even the worst parallel parkers to slide into a spot without any unnecessary paint-chipping bumps.Cornering at night is easy on drivers' eyes as lights follow the road and look eerily like the eyes of a skinless Terminator cyborg.Perhaps the Citroen C4 is a cyborg with a tendency for crankiness if you don't follow the rules.But all is forgiven with this two-litre hatch which seats passenger and driver as well as short-legged rear passengers in comfort.Clever interior features, apart from an irritating rear light, are abundant, with good storage compartments, centre armrest and individual airconditioning controls and an airconditioned glove box to keep beverages cool.For those who get into whiz-bang features, there are cruise, stereo and trip computer controls on the steering wheel – so many that it's hard to find the horn.Citroen's designers may have overlooked a couple of features to keep family car buyers away.There seem to be no child-proof locks for the electric windows, which are within reach of a toddler in a car capsule, and the boot is only roomy enough for an umbrella stroller.But who wants grubby hands messing up a fine interior? Citroen C4 is a DINK car and a stylish statement to other drivers."We live in a beautiful world, yeah we dooo ... "Do I have to give it back now?

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.

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.