Citroen C4 Cactus review (2014-2020)

The general off-the-wallness of the C4 Cactus continues inside, where it looks like nothing else. 

When you close the door after getting in, you’ll be pulling on a leather strap instead of a conventional plastic cut-out in the door trim. Funky.  

Driving position

Ahead of the driver sits a digital information display in place of conventional dials.

This is bright and clear, with your speed front and centre, so works well. 

Tech and features

At the centre of this quirky Citroen, there are very few buttons on it as most of the systems are controlled through the touchscreen, including audio, climate control and phone.

This screen also caters for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.  

In front of the passenger sits a glovebox that looks like it’s being held in place by a leather strap. It’s not. 

The ‘Advanced Comfort’ seats are remarkably soft and give the impression you’re sitting on a sofa. 

Everything you touch has a robust feel, with soft-touch trim on the top of the dashboard, leather straps on the doors, and strong plastics lower down.  

 If there’s one thing to be aware of, it’s that the rear windows don’t go up and down.

Instead, you can merely pop the rear edge open. 

It’s fair to say the C4 Cactus is like nothing else out there. 

If you want an alternative you’ll have to look at something that’s a bit more conventional, such as the Kia Stonic or Peugeot 2008. 

They both do the urban SUV trick well but aren’t quite as unusual as the C4 Cactus. 

Engines and power

Throughout its life, the Citroen C4 Cactus has been available with a range of engines.

The best petrol option is perhaps the turbocharged three-cylinder 1.2-litre motor. 

This makes the car decently fleet of foot in town and doesn’t feel in any way overwhelmed on the motorway. 

If you regularly hit the country’s motorways, the 1.6-litre diesel is a sweet option, blending power and economy beautifully. 

Handling and ride comfort

The car’s real party piece is its ride quality, as it’s staggeringly comfortable, no matter how rough the road surface. 

It works wonderfully in town, where the soft suspension and light controls make journeys pass without the slightest fuss. 

The steering is very light indeed, which can be disconcerting at higher speeds until you’re used to it, but it makes parking a doddle. 

If you buy your jeans in extra-long sizes, you and a similarly tall passenger will have no bother at all getting comfortable in the front of the Citroen C4 Cactus.

There’s space aplenty, and the Advanced Comfort seats are extra-supportive. 

Rear seats

It’s a similar story in the back, where there’s loads of legroom for a pair of adults, helped by the cut-outs in the backs of the front seats.

Headroom is decent too, although if you regularly have taller passengers in the back you might wish to skip an example with the panoramic sunroof fitted as this reduces the amount of headroom.

Also, while there’s space for a third occupant, they’ll need to be a bit smaller. 

Boot space

Boot space is a match the previous-shape Nissan Juke, though other rivals offer more.

There’s also a lip to lift items over, so make sure you’re happy with this. 

Every C4 Cactus should be pretty cheap to run, so the model you choose should largely come down to the type of motoring you do. 

Fuel economy

The 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol should do more than 50mpg if you drive it carefully, and the diesel has an average economy figure of more than 80mpg. 

Insurance groups

Insurance costs are similarly low, with the C4 Cactus starting in group 7 and rising to a high in group 23.