Citroën C4 Cactus (2014 - 2018) 1.2 PureTech (110bhp) Feel 5d Owner Review

Pick the right model and its fun, fun, fun. Some of the diesels suffer with problems from the AdBlu, so although they have great MPG, I would avoid. The auto gearbox is also to be avoided. In the words of Jeremy Clarkson, the gearbox only has one task and it cannot get that right. Taking the above into consideration, if you buy the 1.2 petrol with manual gearbox, it will be trouble free motoring for years. And if you can get the 110hp version, it will be fun as you outrun the warmed up hatchbacks with spoilers and big exhausts. It isn't a sports car though as it most definitely is designed for comfort rather than handling. It is definitely a four or five seater as can take adults in the back. So many cars require the removal of lower limbs if you wish to use back seats, but the Cactus is good. I would put it better than both the Focus and Golf. Boot space is also good and a useable shape. No need for tetris skills here. Lots of cubby homes both front and back. Only gripe is a single cup holder, which is an oddity for any car of the last twenty years. Driving:- Ultimately prefers the trunk roads, but can be hussled down country lanes. The steering although precise, doesn't give the weighted confidence of a Focus or Golf. Gearbox is fine and not too vague. A gripe is reverse gear. You think your in reverse, hahaha, oh no your not as you raise the clutch to a grinding noise. To find reverse, you have to be VERY precise and any thought of doing it quickly is laughed at. Brakes are quick, VERY QUICK! First time you dab the brake, you will face plant the windscreen, so beware. Switches and infotainment. You will quickly get used to it, you don't need a science degree to manage it. Odd occasions infotainment screen takes a bit of time to get going, but that is rare. Easy to Bluetooth music from phone, spotify or alexa. DAB radio pretty solid and rarely loses signal. Economy is good on all models including the petrol. Even the 110hp 1.2 will give 45mpg around town and 60+ on long runs. Running costs are dirt cheap, including insurance and roadtax. Servicing even at the main dealer is a reasonable fixed price. The view out is very good from all angles.....except the C pillar is a bit fat, so be warned. The positive of having the air bumps is not having the eternal carpark dings that afflict german brands, even if you just breath on them. The negative of the air bumps is every few months giving them a layer of special coating after washes. Otherwise they look a bit too second hand. The horn is pathetic. When you use it, people will laugh rather than jump out of the way. Get your friendly garage to upgrade it, for your own self worth.