2021 Citroen e-C4 Prime Plus EV review. My initial thoughts after 3 weeks.

[@OzziesRambles6170]

Hi Matt I have an identical ec4 shine plus white in colour bought new 16 months ago. I concur with all the points you have mentioned, the novelty has definitely not yet warn off for me. I have a relaxed driving style and mostly drive in ECO mod with the regen switched on. I find this more than adequate on our crazy over crowded roads, trying to rush around never pays off. I have had a couple of spurious warning lights after starting up, don't take your foot off the break until all the warning lights on the dash have all cancelled had no problems since. I have got 5 miles to the KW indicated on a few occasions this summer. The range suits us fine, as most of our return journeys are well within its range and is economical at around 2.3 pence per mile having signed up to a very popular energy provider! The down sides I have found: My one and only real disappointment was to find that the reversing camera was only to the rear and not all round. The front camera was only fitted if you pay for the expensive extra auto park function, I did not pick up on this when ordering a top of the range shine plus?! My previous MID range Nissan leaf had all round cameras as standard, so useful. The infotainment system is a bit of a learning curve, it shows 3 personal settings to use but when selecting them on the dash you can only select settings 1 and 2? I cannot change the colour of the infotainment screen, the icon does not show, yet on some KZbin video demos about the car they demonstrate it? Updates for maps etc have to be done by down loading the update on my desktop and installing on the car via a USB. I think Citroen have updated the infotainment system on newer EC4 and EC4X models now and also have remote updating. When I start the car I always have to select ECO and B (regen) it will not remember the previously used settings. Despite these mostly minor complaints, I have had no failures so far and the car has grown on me it has a relaxing ambiance and helps to bring back some sense of driving pleasure.

[@GoGreenAutos]

Thanks for this. Yes I agree about the reversing camera. It's strange that it does have a birds eye view, but is only populated with the one camera feed.

[@michaelbenton4117]

Hello Ozzies, thank you for your thoughts on your e-C4 . As I'm thinking of get a second hand one. thanks again for you info on your car. Mick

[@Illuminatio]

I've had one of these now for just over 2 years and absolutely love it. I have no major criticisms and haven't had many problems other than the occasional glitch. The car stopped responding to the key for a couple of weeks recently - possibly because I washed it with the key in my pocket, which I now understand one shouldn't do, and I've had a couple of spurious warning lights, but otherwise I still look forward to driving it every day!

[@michaelbenton4117]

I know your car is electric , I have had 3 CX's 2 BX'S, ONE XM and a Zara Picasso. Now do I get an e-C4.

[@spsmith45]

I test drove one. My only negatives were the inconsistent, messy interior design and materials, and the difficulty of getting comfortable (I am 6 ft 4). Otherwise, very smooth and quiet. Thanks for the review.

[@Sherukka]

It is a very quit car and comfortable. Had mine now for half a year and would choose it again. Tried to love Model 3 but could not. 😢

[@judebrown4103]

Think you'll have to prize my Ioniq from my cold dead hands😅 but I'll always be most interested in the boot space for my mobility aids. I sat in an eC4 before we bought the Ioniq and I didnt find the seat particularly comfortable either. Prior to sitting in that I'd sat in an MGZS and thought that was a much better seat, oh and a couple of Volvos too, the Citroen was the least comfortable just by the seat alone, it wasnt available to drive at the car show. The Ioniq 38kWh Premium is suiting us just fine, so I think its here to stay. The only criticism I've got is the lane keep but I turn it off and my wife finds it helpful so best of both worlds. I like the Autohold since you fairly recently told me what it was, great invention! The boot is bigger than you think and my walker fits in with five bags of shopping so that's a huge plus. Always interested in other vehicles and you do find info for us that others miss. Im sure i shall enjoy further installments. 👍

[@andrewwebster6025]

I test drove one of these at the fully charge show in Farnborough last year, found it very comfortable and quiet. Definitely on my short list and there seem a good availability on the used market. Would like a bit more range but from what you said it don’t seem to bad

[@hansj5846]

Nice review. It's a superb car. Well done. It baffles me that newly developed cars don't have electric seats, adaptive cruise control, heated rear seats or automatic AC. Even my ancient Subaru has that 😂😂

[@flyborgify]

Another great video. Love how these look. This really made me laugh at 6.14 😂

[@GoGreenAutos]

Yeah, I bet she wont see that as she doesn't watch my videos beyond about 2 minutes

[@moirawingate8901]

We love ours. Great car.

[@philiptaylor7902]

It’s a great car, underrated by most reviewers. Like you say the LKA is subtle and only seems to engage when it’s really needed, unlike most other cars.

[@GoGreenAutos]

I'm going to try to make a video about it. It doesn't seem to be consistent.

[@sen-sai1342]

Have mine now for over 3 years! I do have the shine version with the electric chairs and the sunroof ( massage function is actually a plus point! ) Still love getting in this car every single day! LOVE IT! Only problem is the App! Never or seldom works. Also looking at the API for citroen, I should be able to turn on headlight, open door and hunk the horn.. They just don't bother to build it in.. 😞

[@wokeupandsmellthecoffee214]

Nice review Matt. Good to see you're a fellow LBC listener too ! Anyone else dislike the gloss black interior on the centre, I have it on my 3008 and it shows finger marks and dust.

[@GoGreenAutos]

I get some stick in the comments for having LBC up!

[@decimal1815]

Thanks - very useful. I'd be interested to see the safety features in action, and also see what the cameras / radar are like when in use for parking and manoeuvring.

[@GoGreenAutos]

Ok, will do.

[@philtebble4390]

Very nice looking car as you say mate 👍

[@keithgeorge7338]

Good first look around video, but bet it’s a comedown from your model S! Love mine which is the same year and spec with electric seats and sunroof, which I have had second hand for 6 months. As you say, still get that tingle on the looks. The car also has front sensors which also wrap around the side and detect as well, which most cars don’t have and gives 360 degrees in reverse gear. Also wireless phone charger and interior courtesy lights in footwells, door pockets, centre storage and behind dash. Puddle lights and auto locking and App. to preheat while plugged in charging and 100kwh charger. 8 years AA cover. As you say, bit difficult getting in/out and small windscreen and no rear wiper. Also able to hide HUD, which my wife doesn’t like. Traded in my MG ZS EV Mk 1, which did pleasant 27,000 miles, to get heated steering wheel and tinted glass and LED lights, which are brilliant and car much better than Mg which even new model doesn’t have rear passenger lighting or 3 level heated seats. I have same problem with keeping start button pressed. One review shows that Eco setting does make a big difference in range and would be interested to see your results, although I prefer to have heating than minimised in Eco. I don’t use auto on HVAC which seems to set fan speed quite high, too high/noisy for me. Still free road tax until March 2026!😂😂😂 My car was a dealer demo who had changed the front tyres at 7000 miles, so would be interested to know if they seem to wear quickly? keep the vids. Coming.

[@GoGreenAutos]

Good to hear all this. Yes, the front sensors are quite clever as it also warns about obstructions along the side of the car, which others don't. I feel the e-C4 is a huge step up from the MG ZS.

[@briangriffiths114]

Seen a few of these here in central Scotland and they are good-looking cars. Diesel and Eco Car magazine are currently getting 4.5 miles per kW/h out of their e-C4X, which is the same mechanically but with a large boot.

[@GoGreenAutos]

I believe there's been some minor changes to the later models including the e-C4X which makes them slightly more efficient than my original 2021 model.

[@randomguy9893]

@@GoGreenAutosthink the newer ones have an optimised heat pump and a longer final drive ratio which is helping with the efficiency.

[@Corfine]

Nice looking motor white hard keep clean big wheels

[@ShardCollector]

13:55 One of my biggest gripes with modern cars is that the rear view mirror is too low and blocks your vision of intersecting traffic. C4 doesn't do much better in that regard

[@GoGreenAutos]

No it doesn't. The windscreen is like a letter box on the C4.

[@RBcymru]

I looked at one of these but didn't like the door opening as the roof line is quite low. The dash instrument cluster also looks cheap and not that well thought about as well as the steering wheel. I bought a Cupra Born V2 even though the suspension can be a bit harsher. Rear leg room and head room a lot better in the Born.

[@jjgermancarsdontsignal7746]

I was wandering where the sub woofer was.Thanks.

[@GoGreenAutos]

There under the boot floor in most cars or sometimes in the side of the boot behind the plastic side walls.

[@ahboaz]

Was looking to buy one but after seeing the poor reversing screen, the limited space in the back seat and the meager boot space, renegaded and bought an Aiways U5 for less.

[@budflanagan1262]

Matt, at 20:15, switching it on, - have you noticed if you press it briefly, does it bring up the display? Then brake and press again and does it fire up immediately? My smelly diesel C4 does that, - so I get in and press it once to switch on the computer and give it time to bring up the display, which takes a few seconds; by the time I’m strapped in, it’s an immediate switch-on thereafter, and I’m never in that much of a rush anyway!. Looking to trade my C4 in for an eC4 when I can afford, so enjoyed your unexpected review, - much more of a common-sense one than some. 😊 Looking forward to see your thoughts of it over winter driving. Range looks great for me, double that of my wife’s Zoe, so more than adequate.

[@GoGreenAutos]

All EVs work like that. One press without the pressing the brake pedal turns on the ignition, so the dash, radio etc is on. But a press while pressing the brake pedal turns on the traction battery and puts the vehicle in "ready" mode (i.e. starts it).

[@budflanagan1262]

My point was that my C4 seems to take a few seconds to do it’s internal checks before I can fire it up, i.e. if I get in and try to start it immediately, it won’t have it, there has to be that delay, - brief press or not!

[@GoGreenAutos]

@@budflanagan1262 Oh right. On the EV, it will 'fire' up immediately if you push and hold the start/stop button.

[@ohyesitsme]

The EC4 was in my sights for my first EV but just a bit out of my price range so I have gone for a 20plate Hyundai Ioniq which I'm finding to be a great car. Maybe the Citroen will be my next.

[@Nikoo033]

I too had it on my sight, went for an ioniq28. But all in all, I think either the ioniq38 or the Renault Megane e-tech will be my next EV.

[@barrymurton8988]

I find that line keep feature is more active when you have the adaptive cruse control on, in my e2008.

[@GoGreenAutos]

Yes, the same on this. Lane keep works well when on cruise control. But for normal driving off cruise control, it hardly notices when you're drifting.

[@petersimms4982]

Nice attempt from Citroen 😊 we’re getting there 😊

[@barrymurton8988]

Great review.

[@GoGreenAutos]

Thanks

[@andersstromvall4993]

Very good video. I would like to know more about the app, can you control the heat, defrost the front and rear window, etc

[@moirawingate8901]

My husband controls the heat and defrost from his app. Great to get into a car in the winter that’s ready to drive, without having to defrost windscreen etc.

[@GoGreenAutos]

Will do. The app is pretty useless though.

[@moirawingate8901]

@@GoGreenAutos We find the app to be good for our purposes

[@jozef5373]

Last months the app is very stable and quite fast

[@davidpearn5925]

Boy ! Those tyres are definitely on the comfort side and must contribute significantly to the plush feel…….they are old fashioned sensible tyres……and only 195 width helps with aero drag minimising.

[@GoGreenAutos]

Yes, we need to get back to larger sidewalls for more comfort and better pothole protection.

[@colinphillipson4830]

Hi Matt, I've also been looking at the eC4 because of it's reported comfort levels and may take a test drive. There are quite a few nearly new delivery mileage eC4s shine plus advertised with some well priced but I'm assuming they are the previous non improved latest model as most are from the summer 2023.

[@GoGreenAutos]

That's right, but don't let that put you off. They're a great EV.

[@colinphillipson4830]

@@GoGreenAutos The question is, Is it better than my Hyundai Ioniq 38kWh 🤔

[@GoGreenAutos]

@@colinphillipson4830 a video about exactly that will be coming in the near future. Its not filmed yet, but I will be looking at whether we keep this e-C4 to replace our other Ioniq 38kWh.

[@cg986]

I hear the Renault Megane E-Tech is very good.

[@GoGreenAutos]

Yes and looks great too. One day...

[@Middleskeer]

Excellent video. yes, no one else mentioned it has a heat pump which is good news as I assumed it hadn't. Are the headlights any good and do they have any Matrix function? I have on my MX30 and would miss them if I went for the EC4 Next year.

[@GoGreenAutos]

The heat pump performs like the Renault Zoe heater...luke warm. But a video coming soon on this. As for the headlights, they're not matrix, but they are very good and bright. The auto dipping responds quick too. The best I've seen yet. The MX30 matrix lights are hard to beat.

[@ChandlerMarshall-lz3st]

How are you getting on with the e-C4? I was considering getting one myself especially with the current low prices. What has put me off is the number of complaints on EV forums about the e-C4's reliability (some really serious traction faults) and the poor performance of Citroen dealers when it comes to getting things fixed. Have you experienced any issues?

[@craigroberts3732]

I had mine 2 years with not a single issue, they also have good warranty as standard

[@coxnigel820]

Hi do you pay for a Lease Plan on the battery?

[@GoGreenAutos]

No. Battery leasing isn't available on any (new) EVs in the UK now. Renault were the last ones doing this on the Zoe and Kangoo, but it stopped about 2 years ago now.

[@dominikrak72]

4mil/kWh is ca 15,6 kW/100km

[@bgrz]

How bad is it to not have a rear wiper?

[@GoGreenAutos]

Don't miss a rear wiper whatsoever. The rear spoiler does a very good job of keeping the top part of the rear window clean. The small bit below does get dirty though.

[@wendyhopkins2902]

Would rather have my Kia Ev Niro option 4 , looks far better inside, at least they have electric seats with memory function, heads up display projected on windscreen and sunroof

[@jasonallatt5410]

Does it have adaptive cruise control?

[@jasonallatt5410]

Yes it does! 😂

[@GoGreenAutos]

Yes and that with the lane keep works particularly well. Better than many others.

[@AdamWrighter]

have you got rid of your ioniq and replaced it with this? or are you keeping both?

[@GoGreenAutos]

Yes, one of our Ioniqs has been replaced with this e-C4. My partner is still driving a 38kWh Ioniq.

[@edalbagem]

What are your thoughts about the app?

[@GoGreenAutos]

I've filmed a video about the app which will be released in the coming months. Its ok. It does all that it needs too and like all (except Tesla), its a bit hit and miss if it works.

[@barrymurton8988]

What auto hold?

[@ashb8572]

Hi, compared to the Ioniq how do you feel the lane centering (auto steer) works when adaptive cruise is on (during motorway use)

[@GoGreenAutos]

I was using it today actually. The e-C4 is better in this respect. The 38kWh Ioniq isn't as good as the 28kWh for some strange reason.

[@BigALBoomer]

What is auto hold?

[@GoGreenAutos]

Many modern cars have auto hold. It holds the brakes for you when you're stopped at junctions, traffic lights etc. You come to a stop, then lift off the brake pedal and the brakes remain on, until you press the accelerator to move off. It's one of those features that once you have it and used to it, you miss it when a vehicle doesn't have it.

[@krisvandermeulen253]

a silent car is usually underrated as 'you just turn on the radio'. As I notice a real difference in tire noise from my Ioniq 2018 compared to my Id3 where the Id3 is much quieter, I've learned to appreciate a quiet car.

[@holgerprahl9269]

Think, better to keep your Ioniq...

[@Robbeer]

Would this vehicle be ok for uberx in city centre newcastle looked at ionoc lots of them.about and tesla but fancied this car and budget . Thanks in advance . Great vids

[@GoGreenAutos]

Yes it should be. As with all vehicles, you need to checkout the practicalities, range, charging etc.

[@DavidBradley-e8j]

Hi matt, this vehicle has auto function,which is an a symbol

[@GoGreenAutos]

Hey? Are you talking about auto hold?

[@whostolecookiesfromthejar]

Good vid

[@GoGreenAutos]

Thanks

[@timothygunter2541]

Took one for a test drive and was a nice drive I ordered one had it about a year and must say the biggest mistake I've made thank god only got to wait about 18 ms so I can get rid of it

[@craigroberts3732]

why?

[@egm4305]

Why??

[@craigroberts3732]

@@timothygunter2541 why?

[@timothygunter2541]

@@craigroberts3732 where do I start ?? It constantly mists up battery degradation ( only charges upto 180 miles ) tells me to put my hands on the steering wheel when they are , collision censor comes on when the is no one in front of you . Local dealer won't look at it and we got the car from a dealer in Somerset nor Northampton. Shal I carry on ?

[@craigroberts3732]

@@timothygunter2541 sounds like you got a lemon, I’ve had mine 2 years with not a single issue like that

[@craigroberts3732]

I'm lucky if I get 140miles of motorway range in mine

[@timrothwell33]

We really like ours. It won't be as efficient as your Ioniq

[@GoGreenAutos]

Yes I can already see its about 1.5 mpkWh worse than the Ioniq. But then so are all EVs.

[@davidnorman5907]

I'd have kept the Ioniq as it's a great car.

[@GoGreenAutos]

We still have one. But actually, I'm enjoying the e-C4 more than the Ioniq.

[@joshuakirsch9813]

For what points do you enjoy it more? I had a ioniq before and think the seats maybe are a bit better, but I'm thinking about this car as a daily. ​@@GoGreenAutos

[@GoGreenAutos]

@@joshuakirsch9813 More comfortable ride and slightly quieter. Heads up display is good too. Its a refined drive.

[@91krarup]

"Seats are okay" very different from everbody else. Is it the rest of the reviewers, that is wrong

[@Nikoo033]

3-4 miles/kWh, no way! I think it’s a shame to have pointlessly raised this car. The design is beautiful, but this raised chassis to make it look like an SUV is stupid, wasteful and clearly inefficient. I am fairly sure that the original concept for this C4 design was like a sedan, not a SUV. I am keeping my ioniq28, then might go for an ioniq38 until a clever manufacturer produces an EV that does 4.5-5 miles/kWh (winter-autumn) and 5.5-6 miles/kWh (spring-summer) like my ioniq28. 😝

[@GoGreenAutos]

Unfortunately, I think it will be a very long time until new EVs will match the Ioniq for efficiency (if ever). Apart from the revised Tesla Model 3, nothing else on the horizon comes even close. I don't think we'll ever get the Aptera or similar in the UK.

[@palusisko]

I like the C4-e, especially after the facelift, when it got a larger 48kwh battery with better chemistry(811) and, above all, a far more efficient and powerful 115kw electric motor. But in the end I'm deciding between the new Kona II or the Skoda Elroq(2024?) because: 1.C4 can't tow a cart 2.C4 doesn't have a rear wiper 3.Emergency braking failed in NCAP test 4.C4 has Chinese CATL batteries and I don't want to support China thanks to the supply of weapons and chips to Russia.. BUT Stellantis plans to have own battery gigafactory, so may be later :-)

[@laurentrebern9190]

La nouvelle batterie est de 51 kWh utiles , contre 46,3 pour l'ancienne. L'efficience aussi est meilleure.

[@palusisko]

@@laurentrebern9190Maybe you could try to use english :-)

[@mrm.k7655]

Mine does 60-70 miles with full charge in the winter and With out the heater on. I have made a terrible mistake getting this vehicle watching this videos. Very nice car but not usefull regarding to its range.

[@hansj5846]

Hard to believe 😂😂😂 This is my guess: You live on the north pole Your car is broken You drive like an idiot You're dishonest Have a tremendous day 😂😂😂😂

[@whatever-xw8cw]

Must be something wrong with it.

[@hansj5846]

@@whatever-xw8cw most likely trolling. A normal person would take it back to the dealer.

[@DavidFerreira1986]

do another review after a year...this car is nothing but problems

[@whatever-xw8cw]

Had mine for almost three years now, no problems.....

[@DavidFerreira1986]

@@whatever-xw8cw or you just have the probleme and think thats normal....like usualy noob people do

[@whatever-xw8cw]

@@DavidFerreira1986 it was a long time somebody called me a noob, thanks. 😉