Citroen C4

Citroen C4: which version to buy, and why the numbers split the range

If you are choosing a Citroen C4, the data split is not “petrol or diesel” in the abstract. It is six named generations, two bodies, and many engines that share a nameplate. For a new car, the live line is 3 generation, restyling (Hatchback 5-door, from 2024-10-01, stop not measured).

If you are choosing a Citroen C4, the data split is not “petrol or diesel” in the abstract. It is six named generations, two bodies, and many engines that share a nameplate. For a new car, the live line is 3 generation, restyling (Hatchback 5-door, from 2024-10-01, stop not measured). There the 1.2 e-DCS at 136 hp is the fastest measured petrol: 8.0 s to 100 km/h, 206 km/h, mixed 4.8 L/100 km, kerb 1407 kg. The other 1.2 e-DCS at 100 hp uses the same 4.8 L/100 km mixed figure and is 2.7 s slower (10.7 s) and 14 km/h slower (192 km/h) for 36 hp less and 10 kg less kerb (1397 kg). The 1.2 AT at 130 hp is the lightest petrol on that generation (1278 kg) but uses 5.9 L/100 km mixed — 1.1 L/100 km more than either 1.2 e-DCS. The two AT Electro cars both weigh 1590 kg and both are capped at 150 km/h; the 156 hp AT reaches 100 km/h in 8.6 s, the 130 hp AT in 9.9 s. If you need a used sedan, 2 generation, restyling (2014-12-01 to 2020-05-31) is the last Sedan: the 1.6 AT at 150 hp is the quickest measured automatic there (8.1 s, 207 km/h), while the 1.6 MT Diesel at 92 hp is the cheapest-running measured petrol-alternative (4.1 L/100 km mixed). If you want the highest measured top speed in the whole catalogue, it is still the first-generation 2.0 MT at 180 hp (227 km/h). There are no prices in the data, so “extra money” below means extra power, extra weight, extra gears, or extra consumption — not a sticker.

Generations: what actually changed between bodies

The catalogue counts 6 generations. Two are Hatchback 3-door, two are Sedan, two are Hatchback 5-door. Treat each as a separate buy, not as “the same C4 with a facelift sticker.”

Ground clearance is the blunt generation marker. 1 generation and 1 generation, restyling sit at 120 mm where measured. 2 generation and the later sedan engines on 2 generation, restyling sit at 176 mm — 56 mm more than the hatch. The 1.2 / 1.4 petrols on 2 generation, restyling sit at 170 mm. On 3 generation and 3 generation, restyling, ground clearance is not measured.

Tank size is the other blunt marker: 60 L on generations 1 and 2, 50 L on generation 3 petrol and diesel — 10 L less. Electro versions have tank not measured.

Kerb weight floor and ceiling: lightest measured kerb is 1181 kg (1.4 MT 88 hp, both 1 generation and its restyling). Heaviest measured kerb is 1636 kg (e-C4 136 hp, 3 generation) — 455 kg more. On the live restyling the Electro AT pair is 1590 kg, still 312 kg above the lightest 1.2 AT 130 hp (1278 kg) on the same generation.

Drive does not help you choose: every version is FWD. Front brakes are Ventilated disc and rear Disc wherever the English label is present. Front suspension is Independent, spring; rear is Semi-independent, springorts hélicoïdaux, sem — that is the catalogue English string, not a paraphrase.

Engines and specs: same name, different car

Names repeat. Distinguish them by generation, power, and gearbox count.

3 generation, restyling (buy new)

The two 1.2 e-DCS 136 hp rows are identical in the data (8.0 s, 206 km/h, mixed 4.8, kerb 1407 kg, CO2 108). They cannot be separated by numbers.

Specific output on 1199 cc: 100 hp → 83.4 hp/L; 130 hp → 108.4 hp/L; 136 hp → 113.4 hp/L.

3 generation (used 5-door hatch, 2020–2024)

155 hp on 1199 cc is 129.3 hp/L — the highest petrol specific output in the whole C4 file. The 1.5 BlueHDi AT at 130 hp makes 300 Nm, 70 Nm more than the 1.2 Puretech AT 130 hp (234 Nm) from a 300 cc larger Diesel.

2 generation, restyling (last Sedan)

Three different cars are all named 1.6 AT: 115 hp (No boost, 1587 cc), 150 hp (Turbo, 1598 cc), 167 hp (Turbo, 1598 cc). Four cars are named 1.6 MT: 115 hp Gasoline, 120 hp Gasoline, 114 hp Diesel, 92 hp Diesel. Two cars are named 1.2 MT: 110 hp and 130 hp.

2 generation (first Sedan)

Here 1.6 AT appears twice at 120 hp: both Automatic 4, both 1598 cc, both No boost — they are not the same car. One (2013-03-01 to 2016-09-30) is 1340 kg, 12.8 s, 181 km/h, mixed 7.1, CO2 164, Distributed injection (multi-point). The other (2010-06-01 to 2015-12-31) is 1270 kg, 12.5 s, 188 km/h, mixed 6.9, CO2 159, Direct injection (direct). The later 120 hp 1.6 AT is 70 kg heavier, 0.3 s slower, 7 km/h slower, 0.2 L/100 km thirstier.

Unique to this generation: 2.0 MT Diesel 150 hp / 340 Nm / 1997 cc, and two 1.6 EGS (Robotic 6): Diesel 112 hp / 270 Nm, and Gasoline Turbo 156 hp / 240 Nm.

1 generation and 1 generation, restyling (Hatchback 3-door)

Peak petrol power on 1 generation is the 2.0 MT at 180 hp (1997 cc, No boost, Manual 5) and the 2.0 MT at 177 hp. Restyling drops the 2.0 petrols from this extract and adds a 1.6 MT Turbo 150 hp (Manual 6) plus a 1.6 AT Turbo 150 hp whose 0–100, top speed, and consumption are not measured.

Two 1.6 MT 110 hp rows on 1 generation, restyling share 10.6 s, 194 km/h, mixed 7.1, 1200 kg — they differ by compression: 11.1 vs 9.6. That is the only numeric split.

Performance and economy: what the extra horsepower buys

Fastest 0–100 among measured cars: 1.2 e-DCS 136 hp on 3 generation, restyling — 8.0 s. Next: 2.0 MT 180 hp and 2.0 MT 177 hp on 1 generation, both 8.3 s. Then 1.6 AT 150 hp on 2 generation, restyling at 8.1 s — 0.1 s slower than the live 136 hp e-DCS, from 14 hp more and 175 cc more.

Arithmetic on the live hatch: 36 hp from 100 to 136 on 1.2 e-DCS buys 2.7 s (10.7 → 8.0) and 14 km/h (192 → 206). That is 0.075 s per hp and 0.39 km/h per hp. The 1.2 AT 130 hp (8 gears) sits in the middle at 9.4 s / 200 km/h — 1.4 s slower than the 136 hp 1.2 e-DCS despite only 6 hp less, and 1.1 L/100 km thirstier mixed (5.9 vs 4.8).

On 3 generation, the 1.2 Puretech AT 155 hp (8.8 s, 207 km/h, mixed 6.4) is 0.8 s slower and 1.6 L/100 km thirstier than the later 1.2 e-DCS 136 hp, despite 19 hp more. The restyling automatic is the quicker, leaner petrol even with less peak power.

1.2 Puretech AT 130 hp (3 generation) vs 1.2 AT 130 hp (restyling): both 9.4 s and 200 km/h. Mixed 6.0 vs 5.9. Kerb 1353 vs 1278 — the restyling 130 hp automatic is 75 kg lighter. CO2 130 vs 134.

Diesel on 3 generation: 1.5 BlueHDi MT 110 hp 10.5 s / 193 km/h / mixed 4.4; 1.5 BlueHDi AT 130 hp 9.5 s / 206 km/h / mixed 4.7. Twenty hp and two extra automatic gears vs six manual buy 1.0 s and 13 km/h at a cost of 0.3 L/100 km mixed. City for the MT is not measured; the AT is 5.4 city / 4.5 highway.

Sedan turbo vs naturally aspirated, same 1.6 AT name on 2 generation, restyling: 115 hp No-boost does 12.5 s / 188 km/h / mixed 6.6; 150 hp Turbo does 8.1 s / 207 km/h / mixed 6.5. 35 hp buys 4.4 s and 19 km/h at 0.1 L/100 km less mixed. Kerb 1365 vs 1374 (+9 kg). The 167 hp 1.6 AT keeps 240 Nm and raises top speed to 215 km/h; 0–100 and consumption are not measured; kerb 1420 kg — 46 kg above the 150 hp 1.6 AT.

Manual vs automatic on the 115 hp 1587 cc pair (same generation): 1.6 MT 10.9 s / 189 km/h / mixed 7.1 vs 1.6 AT 12.5 s / 188 km/h / mixed 6.6. The automatic is 1.6 s slower but 0.5 L/100 km leaner mixed, and 35 kg heavier (1330 vs 1365).

Lowest mixed consumption measured: 1.6 MT 92 hp Diesel on 2 generation, restyling — 4.1 L/100 km (city 4.9, highway 3.6, CO2 106). On 2 generation the same-named 1.6 MT 92 hp is 4.2 mixed. 1.6 EGS 112 hp Diesel: 4.2 mixed. 1.5 BlueHDi MT on 3 generation: 4.4 mixed.

Highest mixed measured: 2.0 MT 180 hp on 1 generation — 8.4 (city 11.7, highway 6.5). 1.6 AT 150 hp on 2 generation is 7.9 mixed — 1.4 L/100 km more than the same-named 1.6 AT 150 hp after restyling (6.5). Restyling cut that engine’s 0–100 from 9.3 s to 8.1 s (−1.2 s), top speed 200 → 207, mixed 7.9 → 6.5, city 11.3 → 8.9, highway 6.0 → 5.1, CO2 183 → 151, kerb 1390 → 1374 (−16 kg).

Versions with 0–100 not measured: 1.2 MT5 136 hp, 1.2 MT6 136 hp, 1.6 AT 167 hp (2 generation, restyling); 1.2 Puretech MT 101 hp and e-C4 156 hp (3 generation); 1.6 AT 150 hp Turbo and 1.6 AT 90 hp Diesel (1 generation, restyling); several 1 generation automatics. Do not treat those as slow or fast — they are not measured.

Top speed ceiling: 227 km/h (2.0 MT 180 hp, 1 generation). Floor among measured: 150 km/h on every Electro (e-C4 136 hp; both restyling AT Electro). The 180 hp 2.0 is 77 km/h faster than the Electro cap.

Euro class, where present: Euro 4 on some 1-gen diesels/automatics; Euro 5 on 2 generation and early restyle 1.4/1.6; Euro 6 on 1.2 petrols of 2 generation restyling and all 3 generation petrol/diesel. Electro and the live restyling petrols have eco class not measured. CO2 for Electro is 0.

Dimensions and weight: kg per horsepower, tank, wheels

Kerb-to-power (kg per hp), measured kerb only:

• 2.0 MT 180 hp, 1 generation: 1337 / 180 = 7.43 kg/hp (best among measured petrols).
• 1.6 AT 150 hp, 2 generation restyling: 1374 / 150 = 9.16 kg/hp.
• 1.2 e-DCS 136 hp, 3 restyling: 1407 / 136 = 10.35 kg/hp.
• 1.2 AT 130 hp, 3 restyling: 1278 / 130 = 9.83 kg/hp (lighter, slower).
• 1.2 MT 110 hp, 2 restyling: 1200 / 110 = 10.91 kg/hp.
• 1.4 MT 95 hp, 2 restyling: 1200 / 95 = 12.63 kg/hp.
• e-C4 136 hp, 3 generation: 1636 / 136 = 12.03 kg/hp.
• Restyling AT 156 hp Electro: 1590 / 156 = 10.19 kg/hp; AT 130 hp Electro: 1590 / 130 = 12.23 kg/hp — same 1590 kg, 26 hp gap, 1.3 s gap (8.6 vs 9.9).

Gross weight: Electro restyling AT pair 2040 kg; e-C4 136 hp 2020 kg. Lightest measured gross: 1.4 MT 88 hp 1701 kg (1 generation). Payload where both masses exist, 1.2 MT 110 hp (2 restyling): 1770 − 1200 = 570 kg; 1.6 AT 150 hp (2 restyling): 1810 − 1374 = 436 kg; e-C4 136 hp: 2020 − 1636 = 384 kg.

Wheels, when listed: 3 generation / restyling petrol often 215/65 R16 and 195/60 R18. 2 generation restyling 1.2 cars: 195/65 R15, 205/55 R16, 225/45 R17, and on several 225/40 R18. Sedan 1.6 AT: 215/55 R16, 215/50 R17. Many 1 generation versions have wheels not measured.

Which version to choose

New Hatchback 5-door, petrol, fastest measured: 1.2 e-DCS 136 hp (3 generation, restyling). 8.0 s, 206 km/h, mixed 4.8, CO2 108, 1407 kg, Automatic 6, Turbo, 3 Inline, 1199 cc, Direct injection (direct). The duplicate 1.2 e-DCS 136 hp is the same car on paper.

New Hatchback 5-door, petrol, lightest and 8-speed: 1.2 AT 130 hp. You give up 1.4 s and 6 km/h versus the 136 hp 1.2 e-DCS, and 1.1 L/100 km mixed, and you gain 129 kg less kerb (1278 vs 1407) and two extra gears (8 vs 6).

New Hatchback 5-door, cheapest mixed petrol in the live line: either 1.2 e-DCS (100 or 136 hp) at 4.8. The 100 hp car does not save fuel versus 136 hp in the mixed figure; it only saves 10 kg and 36 hp.

New Hatchback 5-door, Electro: AT 156 hp if 0–100 matters (8.6 s vs 9.9 s on AT 130 hp). Both 150 km/h, both 1590 / 2040 kg, both 260 Nm, both Automatic 1, CO2 0. Versus e-C4 136 hp on 3 generation: restyling 156 hp AT is 46 kg lighter (1590 vs 1636), 0.4 s faster than that 136 hp e-C4’s 9.0 s, same 150 km/h cap. e-C4 156 hp 0–100 is not measured.

Used Hatchback 5-door 2020–2024, most hp/L: 1.2 Puretech AT 155 hp (129.3 hp/L), 8.8 s, mixed 6.4 — slower and thirstier than the later 136 hp 1.2 e-DCS.

Used Hatchback 5-door, diesel: 1.5 BlueHDi MT 110 hp for mixed 4.4 and 1260 kg; 1.5 BlueHDi AT 130 hp for 9.5 s, 206 km/h, 300 Nm, mixed 4.7, 1399 kg. City on the MT is not measured.

Used Sedan, fastest measured automatic: 1.6 AT 150 hp, 2 generation, restyling (not the 115 hp 1.6 AT, not the 167 hp 1.6 AT). Prefer the restyling 150 hp over 2 generation 1.6 AT 150 hp: −1.2 s, +7 km/h, −1.4 mixed, −32 CO2, −16 kg.

Used Sedan, diesel economy: 1.6 MT 92 hp, 2 generation, restyling (4.1 mixed). The 1.6 MT 114 hp Diesel (270 Nm, 11.4 s, mixed 4.8, 1357 kg) is 22 hp and 40 Nm stronger, 1.5 s faster than 12.9 s, and 0.7 L/100 km thirstier.

Used Sedan, small turbo petrol with measured 0–100: 1.2 MT 130 hp (10.8 s, 199 km/h, mixed 4.7, 1205 kg, Euro 6) beats 1.2 MT 110 hp (10.9 s, 184 km/h, mixed 4.8, 1200 kg) by 15 km/h for 20 hp and 5 kg. 1.2 MT5 / 1.2 MT6 136 hp have 0–100 and consumption not measured; 1.2 MT6 is 70 kg heavier than 1.2 MT5 (1390 vs 1320) and 5 km/h slower (200 vs 205) at the same 136 hp / 230 Nm.

Used Sedan, four-speed automatic (avoid if you wanted 6): 2 generation 1.6 AT 120 hp, Automatic 4 — 12.5–12.8 s. Restyling replaced that pattern with Automatic 6 even on the 115 hp 1.6 AT.

Used Hatchback 3-door, highest top speed: 2.0 MT 180 hp, 1 generation, 227 km/h, 8.3 s, mixed 8.4, 1337 kg, 120 mm clearance. The 2.0 MT 177 hp is 226 km/h, same 8.3 s, consumption not measured. 2.0 MT 136 hp Gasoline is 9.2 s / 207 km/h, consumption not measured.

Used Hatchback 3-door, lightest: 1.4 MT 88 hp, 1181 kg, 14.2 s restyling / 12.8 s pre-restyle — same 88 hp, same 1361 cc, 1.4 s difference between generations. Clearance 120 mm vs 170–176 mm on later C4s.

Robotic gearbox (only 2 generation): 1.6 EGS 156 hp Gasoline, 8.7 s / 214 km/h / mixed 6.4 / 1275 kg — quicker than the restyling 1.6 AT 150 hp’s 8.1? No: 8.7 vs 8.1, so the later 6-speed automatic is 0.6 s faster despite 6 hp less. 1.6 EGS 112 hp Diesel: 11.2 s, mixed 4.2, 1290 kg.

Problems / reliability (what the file can and cannot say). The file has no failure rates, no service costs, no rust scores. What it does fix is identity: do not order “a 1.6 AT” — say 1.6 AT 115 hp, 1.6 AT 150 hp, or 1.6 AT 167 hp on 2 generation, restyling; or 1.6 AT 120 hp Automatic 4 on 2 generation; or 1.6 AT 109/110/120/125/150/90 hp on the first hatch. Do not order “an e-C4” — e-C4 136 hp (0–100 9.0 s, 1636 kg) is not e-C4 156 hp (0–100 not measured). Do not order “1.2 e-DCS” without 100 vs 136 hp. Missing 0–100, CO2, eco class, wheels, or kerb are not measured, not zero.

The buying rule from the arithmetic: on the live car, 1.2 e-DCS 136 hp is the petrol that is both fastest and jointly most economical; 1.2 AT 130 hp is the light 8-speed alternative; AT 156 hp is the Electro that actually uses its extra 26 hp. On the last sedan, 1.6 AT 150 hp is the automatic that restyling actually improved, and 1.6 MT 92 hp Diesel is the mixed-consumption floor. On the first hatch, 2.0 MT 180 hp is the speed ceiling, at 120 mm clearance and 8.4 L/100 km mixed. Every other badge in this catalogue is a named compromise between those poles.