A family five-door hatchback, the Citroen e-C4 finds itself pitched against the likes of the popular VW ID3 and MG4, but how does it compare on paper?

While the French manufacturer offers an entry-level model that has a P11D price just shy of £32,000, our top of the range test car, which comes with a 54kWh battery and a 156PS electric motor, has a P11D price of just over £37,000. 

Using the Fleet News company car calculator, the e-C4 compares well with ID3 and MG4 models in similar trims and with similar battery sizes. 

The 58kWh ID3, for example, which comes with a more powerful 204PS electric motor, has a P11D price of £37,860. 

However, the MG4, which comes with a larger 64kWh battery paired with a 204PS electric motor, is more than £4,000 cheaper at £32,440. 

From the employer’s perspective, Class 1A National Insurance costs for the e-C4 and ID3 are practically identical at £103 and £104, respectively, while the MG4 attracts less tax at just £90. 

When comparing running costs, based on a 48-month/80,000-mile cycle, it is the greater depreciation of the e-C4 which leaves it trailing both the ID3 and MG4. 

Not including Class 1A NICs, VED or insurance, the e-C4 has a running cost of 45.53 pence per mile (ppl), compared with 41.62ppm for the ID3 and just 37.7ppm for the MG4. 

For service, maintenance and repair (SMR), which is included within the running cost calculation, the e-C4 comes out top at 3.47ppm, slightly less than the MG4 at 3.71ppm and much lower than 4.2ppm for the ID3. 

The Citroen e-C4 is also top out of the three electric cars for fuel costs at 6.63ppm, while the ID3 and MG4 have figures of 7ppm and 7.75ppm, respectively. 

It is the depreciation of the e-C4 which compromises its overall running cost coming in at 35.43ppm compared with 30.43ppm for the ID3 and just 26.24ppm for the MG4. 

In terms of costs for a company car driver, all three models attract a benefit-in-kind (BIK) tax rate of 2% (2024-25).  

It means that a 20% taxpayer would be paying £149 for the e-C4, slightly less than £151 for the ID3, but both more than the £130 for the MG4. 

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Citroen e-C4 54kWh joins our fleet

The all-electric Citroen e-C4 model range has been boosted by the arrival of a higher-powered, longer-range version.

Now available with Citroën’s latest-generation 54kWh battery technology and an uprated 115kW electric motor, the new all-electric powertrain helps the family hatchback achieve up to 260 miles between charges (WLTP).

It supports up to 100kW rapid charging, allowing 80% of the battery to be charged in 30 minutes depending on the power output of the charge point.

For home charging you get a Type 2 cable for free, allowing a regular 7.4kW charger to reach a 100% charge in seven hours and 30 minutes.

Having the ability to put the e-C4 through its paces over the next few months, it will be interesting to see how it performs in the real world.

But first impressions have been good, with the French manufacturer continuing to deliver design cues from an earlier era, giving the e-C4 bags of kerb appeal.

Our test car comes in Citroën’s recently introduced e-Series trim level, which is available across Citroën’s core electrified range – ë-C4, ë-C4 X, C5 Aircross Hybrid 136, and C5 Aircross plug-in hybrid, and delivers distinctive styling, additional interior features, and enhanced technologies.

There are three e-C4 models to choose from – Sense, E-Series and C-Series Edition, with the 54kWh and 154bhp motor only available on the latter model.

All models get LED headlights, a 10.0-inch touchscreen, Automomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Lane Keeping Assist and Driver Attention Alert.

Th e-C4 still feels fresh and modern. There is a simple-looking digital dash and responsive infotainment set-up, which does involve extensive use of the touchscreen for many of the car’s functions.

On the road, meanwhile, you don’t get the surge of acceleration you get with many electric cars, but it gets up to cruising speed quickly enough and achieves 0-62mph in 9.2 seconds (10 seconds for the 50kWh model) and maximum speed for both is 93mph.