The displays are surrounded by tactile
patterned dash surfaces that really help the C4 Cactus feel like a premium
product, as does the thick cloth covering the seats; the strong leather-look
door pulls reek of effort, consideration and a focus on what they’re actually
supposed to do. Citroën hasn’t let the Cactus anywhere near a cookie-cutter.
The driving position will prove compromised for some though, as the
well-finished squircle-shaped steering wheel has limited height adjustment and
no rake, making it too low for taller people. The 109bhp 1.2-litre three-pot,
complete with turbocharger, shifts this 1,020kg mid-spec Feel model along
briskly and easily. It’s the most powerful version in the range, and costs $ 2.6805,89
in our test car before options, with other models offering the same triple sans
turbo for even better economy. go for the most eco-friendly model, which offers
91mpg and 82g/km, and Citroën claims a 20% running cost saving versus the
regular C4, but even this one comes with an official 61.4mpg figure, which
stacks up well against rivals.
Interior
door handles, like the glovebox, reference luggage design. Interesting, but
we’re unsure how well they’ll wear. Armrests are clad in Neoprene-like cloth
The weightings of the gearshift, clutch
pedal and fairly accurate steering are all in sync – the engineers have
actually been talking to each other – and perky acceleration, backed by that
charming three-cylinder thrum, complements a comfortable ride that soaks up
bumps well. Our test car’s 16in alloys, which fill the arches nicely, help the
cause as they’re not exactly low profile, but they don’t have to work too hard
thanks to the excellent body control.
There’s still roll, of course, but it’s
well managed and the seats hold you in at the same time. There’s also very
little lift or dive under brakes, and nor does the Cactus float about or
tremble with a sudden change of direction. It’s all nicely balanced, measured
and controlled, yet not sterile or bland like some German offerings: the Cactus
is effortless, with an agile cheekiness that makes it fun to drive.
The
glovebox is a good size, has rubberized non-slip nipples on the top and isn’t
intruded upon by a fuse box as normal on RHD cars
It’s not a sharp performance SUV, but nor
is it meant to be. Instead it’s characterful behind the wheel, and aided and
abetted by innovative design that’s clearly been thought through by people for
real human beings. There’s loads of space in the back, with room for full-size
adults along with a decent boot, too. And there are only minor disputes: a
single-piece rear bench-seat with no split-fold option available, and those
rear side windows don’t wind down but pop-out. Citroën says this is to save
weight (the rear bench cuts 6kg, and the non-retractable windows shave another
11kg) but cost reduction was surely the priority here. The kids won’t be
impressed.
Citroën
claims that this is the world’s first car-park-damage-proof car. Its airbump
panels are made of thermoplastic polyurethane and filled with pockets of compressed
air to damp impacts from doors, trolleys and other cars
We are though. The C4 Cactus is a clever
mix of existing and new parts, executed brilliantly through a considered,
fearless design – something that personifies Citroëns of old. Lloyd uses words
such as ‘honest’ and ‘not pretentious’ as he talks about this car, and we
agree. At almost every car launch, terms like ‘game-changer’ and ‘a new dawn’
are used freely but for once the reality is the same as the rhetoric. We love
the C4 Cactus, spikes or otherwise.
