Red Citroen C4 available in Edinburgh for £2,995.

Description

The C4 hatchback was the first car to show that Citroën had rediscovered its flair for innovative design. The successor to the dull Xsara, the C4 is unmistakable – both inside and out thanks to some unique design features. Like most Citroën's it is very comfortable and soaks up bumps well, but unfortunately the C4 is let down in some key areas. The quality of the interior is poor and it doesn't feel particularly well put together, while the over-assisted steering and vague gearbox mean it's not rewarding to drive. It's full of innovation though with touches like a built-in air freshener, laminated glass and an unusual fixed hub steering wheel. In September 2008 it was facelifted with a new bonnet and headlights, echoing the style of the 2008 C5, while the interior was also improved.The C4 was awarded the maximum five-star score from crash-test experts Euro NCAP, which puts it at the top of its class. All cars have six airbags as standard (the fixed steering wheel means that the driver's airbag is a special design that is said to give better protection), ABS, electronic brakeforce distribution, brake assist and seatbelt pre-tensioners. As for security, the C4 has been awarded five stars from security experts Thatcham and the laminated glass is tough enough to stop a determined thief from breaking in for 30 seconds. The 320-litre boot is a decent size but lags behind similar cars including the Vauxhall Astra and SEAT Leon. It's easy to access thanks to a large tailgate while a clever boot divider pulls out of the boot sill and makes the best use of the space. The glovebox isn't very big, but is air conditioned, which makes it ideal for keeping drinks cool in summer.While the exterior styling may not be as fresh as it once was the interior is certainly still distinctive. The minimal layout and smooth dashboard look good – as does the high mounted LCD instrument display which gives details of speed, engine temperature, trip details and the fuel levels. The innovative fixed hub steering wheel made its debut in the C4 and it's certainly unique – the centre 'hub' is fixed to the dash and does not move, instead just the outer rim rotates around it. The wheel is also multifunctional – and contains controls for radio, trips and cruise control, however the button layout isn't very clear. Unfortunately these features can't hide the fact that quality is poor. There are numerous different plastics used, none of which are particularly good, while the switches feels cheap. Facelifted cars from 2008 get a plush grain finish on the dashboard while the rev counter is moved to the translucent central display unit. Check our website for more stock. Friendly and approachable sales team, check out our reviews.