Citroen e-C4 electric motor, drive & performance
The e-C4 comfortable and has sufficient performance, but we'd prefer a more controlled driving experience
| 0-62mph | Top speed | Driven wheels | Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9.0s | 93mph | Front | 134bhp |
Performance from the e-C4's electric motor is adequate: punchy but without making you feel queasy with every prod of the accelerator. A dedicated 'B' mode ramps up the regenerative braking to good effect, making town driving a breeze – simply lift off as you approach junctions or traffic and speed is scrubbed off like a petrol car in a low gear. The system can bring the car to a complete stop, too.
Citroen e-C4 0-62mph, top speed and acceleration
The e-C4 is powered by a 134bhp electric motor that can deliver peak torque from the instant you press the accelerator. This means acceleration feels zippy from a standing start, much like the majority of all other modern electric cars.
Top speed is 93mph – not that that's terribly relevant – while 0-62mph is dealt with in nine seconds. In reality, though, the Citroen feels much keener than that figure suggests – zipping away from traffic lights is a benefit of the electric-car driving experience that's present and correct here.
Handling
The e-C4's light steering helps with parking, but we’d prefer a little more weight for extra confidence at higher speeds. It's less of an issue on the motorway, where the e-C4 really excels on refinement and comfort.
Citroen's 'Progressive Hydraulic Cushions' suspension is standard across the range, so the e-C4 sticks to the brand's traditional comfort-orientated approach as it ably takes the edge off any nasty lumps and bumps in the road. It’s not perfect, however; the system can feel slow to react at lower speeds, while faster changes of direction often cause the car to feel loose or a little unwieldy.
