Roy Lewis road tests the Citroën C4 VTR+ HDi 90 manual 5-door. (From Hereford Times)

Roy Lewis road tests the Citroën C4 VTR+ HDi 90 manual 5-door.

7:00am Friday 2nd December 2011 in Road Tests

Citroën C4 VTR+ HDi 90 manual 5-door.

Price: £18,295.

Top speed: 112mph.

0-62mph: 12.9 seconds.

Fuel: 67.3mpg (combined figure).

CO2 emissions (g/km): 110.

Verdict: Excellent diesel, refined ride, well built, practical for the family, elegant styling and generous equipment.

IF you think the ageing turbo diesel you drive daily is still a frugal performer then you should take a look at some of the latest oil burners from Citroën and see just how good on fuel they have become.

And if you’re interested in a family hatch then the French firm’s updated C4 is well worth a close examination. The popular C4 1.6-litre diesel, for instance, returns up to almost 80mpg on the open road and is also the most comfortable and practical car in its class.

In the real world this figure would almost certainly be lower but test results do show that it can be achieved and that 54.3mpg is possible around town with 67.3mpg on the combined cycle.

Among the efficiency advancements helping to better fuel returns is a useful gear efficiency indicator, standard on the dash of manual models, which signals the optimum moment to change gear.

The C4 is certainly a stylish looker with improved build quality inside and out, and comprehensively equipped for today’s family needs.

Prices are not cheap but are very competitive, going from £15,595 for the 1.4-litre petrol to £21,495 for the range-topping 130bhp 2.0-litre HDi.

A best-seller is the 1.6-litre VTR+ HDi manual with 90bhp on tap. This is the middle specification car with CO2 emissions (g/km) of just 110, giving free road tax for the first year and £20 annually afterwards. Actually, the new C4 is one of the most ecologically-conscious models in its segment and all the diesels in the range now qualify for free tax during the first year.

While the motors are very efficient, the C4’s emphasis is also on comfort with first-rate seats and a classy cabin where noise is kept to an absolute minimum.

Offering 90bhp at 4,000rpm, the diesel’s output may not seem great at first but the pulling power is impressive with a smoothness that helps show just how much Citroën has progressed with its engines. The motor is also a refined cruiser and feels a lot quicker than its performance figures in acceleration tests might suggest.

However, while there is bags of oomph for most family needs the 90bhp motor may not be quick enough for some enthusiastic drivers.

Although offering better economy, the diesel versions do cost more in the first place and the 1.6-litre in VTR+ trim is on sale at £18,295. But the whole C4 range is well equipped with the entry model VTR having air-con, electric windows, a quality audio system and cruise control with a speed limiter.

The VTR+ also gets front fog lights with a cornering function, rear parking sensors, alloy wheels and Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity. The list goes on...

The Exclusive trim adds further goodies while the range options include massaging front seats.

As far as safety is concerned there should be no worries as the Citroen gained a prestigious five-star overall rating in Euro NCAP tests.

On the road, the C4 is very much driver focused with supple handling. It holds the road well, keeping its composure on twisty routes and managing to soak up all manner of road imperfections to give a superb ride.

The new model is slightly bigger than the previous one with a roomy and airy cabin which is easy to live with.

The dash has soft-touch materials and a generous amount of chrome detailing around the dials and vents to add to the plush feel of the interior. In the rear, both head and shoulder room is generous, though legroom is not so good.

However, a bonus is the rectangular boot which is the largest in the class, offering up to 408 litres with the rear seats up and 1,183 litres with the seats down. And loading is made comparatively easy with a low ledge.