Citroen C4 Cactus review

The C4 Cactus was always a little spartan inside, but it was all part of the purity that coursed through the car. Making the car posher was always going to be a bit limited by what went before it, though, and the rear windows still merely pop out like an old three-door car’s rather than wind or whirr down properly.

It was a great way to save weight - losing the motors ditches 11 kilos - but when the Cactus now goes up against Ford Focuses and VW Golfs, it seems like an oversight. There’s no rev counter, either.

It’s also notably smaller in the back than proper C-segment hatch rivals; even those below six foot might find their head brushing against the ceiling, especially if the optional glass roof has been specified. Worth checking that at the test drive if you often carry adults in the back. Its boot space is closer to its rivals, though, with 358 litres morphing to 1,170 with the seats folded down. The loading lip’s a little high, mind.

Otherwise, there’s practicality galore. The interior boasts plenty of cubby holes, including a tailor-made slot for your smartphone in the dashboard. That’ll link up to even the most basic of the Cactus’s media systems via the usual Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Mirrorlink connections.

The refinement is top-notch, too. Even though all Cactuses tip the scales below 1,100kg, they have more sound deadening and thicker glass than before to keep the interior hushed. It's notably quieter than rivals when you're on the move.