Citroen C4 Cactus wants to offer its customers an unusually sympathetic user-friendly car with a lot of comfort and technology at a reasonable price. Cactus is a pragmatic product, a concrete response to customer requirements.

Cactus is a kind of manifesto of a new era. Following the principles of pragmatism and practicality this useful vehicle is a modern way of returning to their roots. They want to recapture the original genes of their brand which made quite a few real folk automotive legends in an exciting, almost century-old history.

The perception of designers, engineers and marketing strategists during the development of the Cactus was turned upside down. Only this way they were able to make a car, which they claim is completely different. On the wings of tradition it opens up a new chapter of automotive development.

Inspiration taken from objects of everyday life

When creating Citroen C4 Cactus designers drawn the inspiration from forms and shapes that accompany people in their everyday lives.

You can quickly see that design follows the objects such as smart phone, camera, purse, briefcase … Contours and design solutions that people accepted as a useful part of everyday life.

C4 cactus wants to make an impression with flowing lines without any aggressive moves. Mostly we can find clean smooth surface with floating effect of chassis boundaries – both overhangs and roofs.

The car is definitely special in terms of shape. Combinatorial patterns and colors are graphically highlighted. It stands out with a lot of unusual freshness to the automotive world. This freshness is subconsciously rapidly connected to the already known forms.

Aibrumps – plastic armor designed for city battles

Airbumps are one of the practical and probably the most notable innovations of Citroen C4 Cactus.

In addition to the design they are also playing a role of protecting the car and consequently reduce the repair costs.

Airbumps are panels with air pockets, whose main task is to prevent scratches and dents as the consequence of contacts in urban traffic and everyday use of the vehicle. Soft and flexible capsules made from TPU material (thermoplastic urethane) tightens the built-in air pockets that absorb the shocks. Protection airbumps require no maintenance and contribute directly to lower costs for cosmetic repairs. This kind of protection is also mounted on both bumpers.

Sofa in the front row, airbag in the roof

In order to increase comfort for the driver and its passengers the interior is thoroughly purified. In other words, all unnecessary elements are removed or redesigned. This action concerns a new, low instrument panel with horizontal lines and digital gauges.

Most of the buttons have been removed. Communication is channeled through a digital interface (7-inch touch screen), which provides access to all important functions (air conditioning, media devices, navigation system, driving parameters, phone, interoperable services and driving assistance systems).

The new “residential” architecture has increased the surface of the front seats, which can be fully integrated into a comfortable sofa. Passenger airbag is mounted into the roof so that Citroen C4 Cactus can have more storage compartments in front.

The feeling in the cabin is pleasant. Entering is effortless due to slightly elevated chassis. Because of the design, which is based primarily on clean and simple moves, the front part of the cabin acts spacious and two screens, despite the average material, leaves modern, even high-tech impression.

An interesting solution and one of C4 Cactus technical tricks is the panoramic glass roof with thermal protection. It sends a lot of light to the interior but stops the heat. The next feature is a windscreen washer system called smart wash in which the nozzle is embedded inside the wiper. This solution saves almost half of the liquid for cleaning windows.

Enough room in the back seats

The seats are soft, comfortable and interesting. They can easily earn a cliché tag armchairs. In a good way. The second row of seats does not offer a whole lot of space, but completely enough to cope with daily family responsibilities. They can serve well for passenger up to 180 centimeters high.

The trunk in Citroen C4 Cactus measures 348 liters and is expandable to 1,170 liters if you fold the back seats.

Some shortcomings still exist

• The steering wheel is adjustable only in height. However you can still find a good and comfortable driving position.
• Side windows do not offer conventional vertical opening. They can only pop out for a few centimeters. Such solutions are normally used in the smallest three-door cars, not in vehicles with family ambitions.
• The rear seat is not two thirds foldable.
• The loading edge of the luggage compartment is impractically high. This makes loading and unloading bigger pieces quite a difficult job.
• The screen at the top of the center console is of suitable size. But touch responsive interface is below average – it requires (too) much driver attention.

Citroen C4 Cactus technical specifications

Measures:

• Length: 4157 mm
• Width: 1799 mm
• Height 1490 mm
• Luggage space: 348 – 1170 liters

Engine options:

Type	Power	Torque	Top speed	0-100 km/h	Fuel cons.	CO2 emission
PureTech 75	55 kW	118 Nm	166 km/h	12.9 sec	4.4 liters	105 g/km
PureTech 82	60 kW	118 Nm	167 km/h	12.9 sec	4.6 liters	107 g/km
PureTech 82 start stop	60 kW	118 Nm	167 km/h	12.9 sec	4.3 liters	98 g/km
PureTech 110	81 kW	205 Nm	188 km/h	9.3 sec	4.6 liters	105 g/km
e-HDi 92	68 kW	230 Nm	182 km/h	11.4 sec	3.5 liters	92 g/km
blueHDi 100	73 kW	254 Nm	184 km/h	10.7 sec	3.4 liters	89 g/km
blueHDi 100 start stop	73 kW	254 Nm	184 km/h	10.7 sec	3.1 liters	82 g/km

Citroen C4 Cactus Price and Competition

C4 Cactus has a starting price tag of 13,950 EUR which I think is very attractive. Compared to original C4 that is almost 5,000 EUR less.

Special attention is given to drivers who do not want to buy a car but only pay for its use. There are plenty interesting packages to consider.

In my opinion main competitors of C4 Cactus are:

• Renault Captur
• Nissan Juke
• Peugeot 2008
• Opel Mokka

Citroen C4 Cactus competitors:

1. Nissan Juke
2. Fiat 500L
3. Renault Captur

Image credit: Citroen