Currently reading: 2023 Citroen e-C4 X gets 224-mile range for £31,995
Fastback rear for affordable EV yields roomier rear, bigger boot and extended range

Citroën has revealed a new fastback-inspired reworking of the genre-bending C4 that is designed to fill a gap beneath the new Citroën C5 X in the firm’s line-up – and only be offered in the UK with an electric powertrain.

While the front of the new Citroën e-C4 X – which starts from £31,995 – is identical to the from-£28,495 C4 SUV-inspired hatch, it has been extensively reworked from the B pillar backwards. The hatchback rear has been switched for an elongated fastback body, which extends the length of the machine to 4600mm. That makes it 240mm longer than the Citroën C4, and 200mm shorter than the larger C5 X.

That length also makes the e-C4 X the longest machine built on Stellantis’s CMP platform that is intended for small cars. 

98 Citroen e c4x tracking rear quarter 2022

The extended rear of the machine also features a number of unique design cues, including distinctive new LED rear lights and bumper, along with black inserts designed to echo those featured on the C5 Aircross.

With the wheelbase of the machine unchanged at 2670mm, Citroën designers have focused on increasing space in the rear and boot of the car. Rear passengers now get 198mm of knee room – aided by more reclines 27-degree seat backs – while the boot – which has a fixed rather than hatchback partition – has a capacity of 510 litres, 130 litres more than the regular C4. 

95 Citroen e c4x centre console 2022

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The front cabin is largely unchanged from the standard C4, although the e-C4 X does get the new MyCitroën Drive Plus infotainment system that was first seen on the C5 X, and which features a larger 10in touchscreen.

The e-C4 X retains the 134bhp, 192lb ft electric powertrain of the e-C4, along with the 50kWh battery from that model. It has a 0-62mph time of 9.5 seconds, and a limited top speed of 93mph. The more aerodynamic design of the e-C4 X, which has a drag coefficient of 0.29, gives it a range range of 222 miles, five more than the e-C4.

Citroën is aiming the e-C4 X at families seeking a cost-effective car, but also thinks the extra space in the rear and boot could make it a popular choice for private hire drivers seeking a relatively affordable electric option. 

96 Citroen e c4x rear above 2022

The machine has also been conceived as a global car, with the four-door saloon style largely intended to aid its popularity in the Middle East and Africa. While it will be offered in those market and some European countries with petrol and diesel engines, in the UK, Nordic and select Western European markets it will be offered purely in electric form.

Three trim levels will be offered: Sense, Shine, and Shine Plus. The entry-level model will start from £31,995, and come with 18-inch alloys, keyless entry and a 10-inch infotainment screen as standard. A bump up to the £34,495 Shine trim brings Citroën's Drive Plus infotainment system, as well as a heads-up display, with Alcantara-clad heated seats added for top-wrung £35,495 Shine Plus. All trims get the same powertrain.

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The e-C4 X will be produced at Stellantis’s Madrid, Spain plant on the same line as the regular C4. Order books are now open, and deliveries will begin in early 2023. 

Pierre Leclercq, Citroën design boss

Pierre leclercq

What was the starting point for this car?

“The request from the strategy department was to make another car based on the C4, but it has to reach 4.6 metres and have a huge boot – but we don’t want a limousine, it has to be exciting, sexy. Adding 25 centimetres to the rear is really not what a designer wants, because you have to shift the masses a bit. So we wanted to do something super sexy, stretched, so we tilted the rear forward and gave it an attitude that is almost unique.”

How does the e-C4 X showcase Citroën’s design language?

“We have a design language that is evolving faster, as you can see on the C5 Aircross as well. Everything you see in terms of body light and colours and contrast we wanted to sit in between a formula of Citroën that is very pure and simple, but with details that are going to become sharper and more three-dimensional – and far more non-automotive.”

While this will be electric only in some markets, it still use a multi-powertrain platform. Will you be able to take lessons from this to future EVs built on pure electric architecture?

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“That will obviously give us a lot of freedom. It’s obviously super cool what we’re going to do for electric platforms in terms of exteriors and overhangs and what we can offer with interior space. For me, the biggest advantage of an EV is in terms of interior and feeling. You have a completely different volume, so you feel like you are in a new environment. That’s something I want to create, and it’s something I haven’t experienced yet.”

James Attwood

James Attwood, digital editor
Title: Acting magazine editor

James is Autocar's acting magazine editor. Having served in that role since June 2023, he is in charge of the day-to-day running of the world's oldest car magazine, and regularly interviews some of the biggest names in the industry to secure news and features, such as his world exclusive look into production of Volkswagen currywurst. Really.

Before first joining Autocar in 2017, James spent more than a decade in motorsport journalist, working on Autosport, autosport.com, F1 Racing and Motorsport News, covering everything from club rallying to top-level international events. He also spent 18 months running Move Electric, Haymarket's e-mobility title, where he developed knowledge of the e-bike and e-scooter markets. 

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Electricvanman 19 December 2022

Just add a bit more metal and glass at the back and make it a bit more box like. Add a rear wash wipe and call it something like maybe EC4 Safari.

Will86 19 December 2022

As a jacked up saloon it has a hint of Polestar 2 about it, but whereas the Polestar works, this isn't such a success. The boot is bland - a simple bar joining the rear lights would add some interest. And why a small saloon opening - a fastback style would be much more useful.

lukeski 19 December 2022

I'd make a couple of points.

1. It looks like it has been cut and shut from 2 different cars

2.The pasenger display screen looks like it has been bought in Halfords and glued on

3. The car is 4.6m long, i have a 4.25 metre peugeot 308 which has a 480 litre boot, true its cramped in the back of my peugeot, but if you stretched the car by 35cm there would be loads of space in the back, and the boot would be basically the same side. So my question is where are all the benefits of this electric packaging gone? One defence might be that we gave up room by doing the sloping roofline, but as it makes the car look rubbish and has minimal impact on range, i am really not sure what you have acheived. A standard Skoda Octavia fastback is huge inside and only the same size as this.