Citroen DS4 HDi 110 DSign 5dr Car Review - February 2012

The DS4 has some good and bad points for those who are driving, and the higher driving position does mean that visibility from the front is very good, and the comfort in the car is certainly quite nice for those behind the wheel. However, visibility from the rear window is limited, and the ride quality will be difficult to deal with for many people, with every bump being felt through the suspension.

The performance itself is reasonable rather than spectacular, delivering a slightly ponderous 0-62mph time of 12.4 seconds, and the top speed of 118mph is not bad. The steering is not as responsive and natural as many people would want, but there is plenty of grip and there is very little movement when rounding the corners.

The DS4 is based on the Citroen C4, but it is a much better looking car that is sleekly designed and the front end is certainly an attractive design that is slightly reminiscent of a VW Golf. The detailing on the doors is very attractive, and the sloping rear end is somewhere between the traditional hatchback and a coupe, and the alloy wheels as standard means that it looks very good indeed.

There is air conditioning and a fully adjustable steering wheel included as standard with the DS4, but for this particular entry level model of the DS4 does mean there are an awful lot of features that are included on the optional extras list. Leather heated seats will certainly be desirable for many people, as will the more practical rain sensing wipers and rear parking sensor.

Those who are opting to go for the DS4 will know that the attractive looks will come at a price, and this is seen in the reduced practicality to be seen in the car. The leg space in the rear is not the most generous, and the boot space is also going to be a problem for some people. The coupe styling means that the car walls around the boot can be obstructive for those who are trying to get large items into the car.

The DS4 has some excellent safety features, and got some particularly high scores for these features in the Euro NCAP safety tests. It was also awarded the five stars that are typical for the majority of new cars on the market these days. The security features are all included as standard, including the alarm and the immobiliser, but those wanting a secure spare wheel will have to add £75 to the price.

This version of the DS4 is available for £19,445, but there are a range of other options for those looking for a little more luxury in their car. The stylish design is at a cost, and there are many cheaper hatchbacks available on the market at the moment. The insurance group is low enough for people to insure the car reasonably, and the car comes with the standard Citroen package of a three year warranty with one year's breakdown cover.

The fuel performance is certainly a highlight of this version of the DS4, and is able to deliver an average mpg of 60.1. This will mean that those who are looking for top fuel performance will be well advised to consider the DS4, which is very competitive when compared with rivals in the class.