SECTOR: Lower Medium   PRICE: €18,950–€30,490   FUEL: 3.3–6.1l/100km   CO2: 86–140g/km

Citroën’s latest C4 models, the Picasso and Cactus, have given it a pair of very strong products right at the core of its range. Sadly, without the weight-saving innovations and clean new family design, the C4 hatchback seems to have aged prematurely by comparison.

So, after five years on sale, Citroën has turned its attention to the second-generation of what remains an important model. Behind new three-dimensional front and rear light internals, a couple of additional shades of grey paintwork and some fresh alloy wheel designs, it’s taking steps to define itself as a model in its own right, separate from the still visually similar DS 4, and it looks all the better for what is really a subtle change.

Minor exterior tweaks are matched with familiar PSA Peugeot-Citroën technology inside the cabin. The dashboard now features a seven-inch touchscreen display, as used on most of the group’s new products, which neatly groups navigation, media and telephony controls into the screen, in turn allowing Citroën to significantly reduce the number of physical buttons on the centre console.

It’s logically laid out and an improvement on the old car, plus this still has proper air conditioning controls – something the Picasso and Cactus have done without. However, it’s only standard equipment on top trim levels. Most versions get a black-on-orange LCD display and the old car’s scattering of buttons, with a blanking plate across half of what would be the screen.

Upgrading costs a very reasonable €250, or €800 with navigation, on the mid-spec Feel trim and for the functionality it brings it’s probably worth having.

Line of sight materials are generally high quality and soft to the touch and there’s plenty of room in the front and back, though the latter is compromised by the optional panoramic roof. The boot is one of the segment’s largest and a wide, usable shape, but the rear seats don’t fold flat with the floor.

Citroën is marking itself out as a brand with wellbeing, rather than sportiness, woven into its identity. So the C4 rides smoothly over even the roughest surfaces on its smallest wheels, but isn’t a car which likes to be rushed. Comfortable front seats, now available with a massage function, and effortlessly light steering feed into that ethos.

It also makes good sense on paper. Pricing is aggressive and there are several notable new engine options. This now includes 110 or 130bhp turbocharged three-cylinder petrols, and three BlueHDI diesels with 100, 120 and 150bhp. On 16-inch wheels, all diesel versions now emit 98g/km or less and, with the optional Stop and Start system, the BlueHDI 100 consumes 3.3l/100km and emits 86g/km. That’s not far behind the C4 Cactus.

So the C4 shapes up well – it’s understated, comfortable, practical and now has the fuel efficiency it needed to be a competitive part of this segment. The problem, though, is it’s sharing a showroom and nameplate with two excellent products, and it still feels a little dated by comparison. In a sector packed full of brilliant, desirable hatchbacks, the C4 remains an entirely head-over-heart choice.

What we think

The C4 is a good car, and lower running costs will make it more attractive. But, it's possibly a little anonymous in this segment, even against its stablemates.