The Citroën C4 Cactus is a subcompact crossover SUV, produced by French automaker Citroën in Spain between April 2014 and December 2017, with production of the second generation commencing in October 2017 (until May 2020 in Villaverde), with the final months of production being disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The C4 Cactus is considered a compact SUV, although it is based on the PSA PF1 platform that underpins the smaller Citroën C3 and DS3.

Citroën C4 Cactus
Overview
ManufacturerCitroën[a]
ProductionApril 2014 – May 2020 (Spain)
2018–present (Brazil)
AssemblySpain: Villaverde, Madrid
Brazil: Porto Real
Body and chassis
ClassSubcompact crossover SUV
Body style5-door SUV
LayoutFront-engine, front-wheel-drive
PlatformPSA PF1 platform
RelatedCitroën C3
DS 3
Peugeot 208
Opel Crossland
Powertrain
Engine1.2 L PSA EB2 Puretech I3 (petrol)
1.6 L HDi 16V I4 (diesel)
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,595 mm (102.2 in)
Length4,157 mm (163.7 in)
Width1,729 mm (68.1 in)
Height1,481 mm (58.3 in) (International)
1,563 mm (61.5 in) (Latin American model)
Curb weight965 kg (2,127 lb) - 1,070 kg (2,360 lb)
Chronology
PredecessorCitroën C4 (2010)
Citroën C4 Aircross (2012)
SuccessorCitroën C3 Aircross
Citroën C4 (2020)

A distinctive design feature is the "AirBump" panels on the car's sides, designed to protect the vehicle from damage in car parks. The Citroën Cactus Concept, presented at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show, previewed the production version.[1] The C4 Cactus was presented at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show.

Overview

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Pre-facelift
 
Interior

Production started in April 2014 at PSA's factory in Villaverde, Madrid. Sales commenced in France in June 2014. It is a five-door SUV in Touch, Feel and Flair trim levels, and is powered by 1.2 L inline-three petrol engines and 1.6 L inline-four diesel engines.[2][3]

An estate C4 Cactus was programmed (codename: E32), but Citroën eventually abandoned the project.[4]

In 2016, three more trim levels were added to the C4 Cactus range: Flair Edition, Rip Curl and W. Slow sales of the W led to the model being dropped from the line up.

In October 2016, production of the vivid paint colour Lagoon Blue ceased, and was replaced by a new colour Baltic Blue, which is more subtle. A rich, dark red called Jelly Red, was added to the range of colours available. In May 2017, the popular Shark Grey ceased in favour of Platinum Grey, which is slightly darker and used on the DS4 and the 2016 Dispatch van. In Italy, the W is called the Total White edition; there is also a Total Black edition and these models are called OneTone in some markets. Although 30% of Cactus sales in the United Kingdom were black cars with black Airbumps, the Total Black model was not offered in the United Kingdom; it could be configured but black gloss wheels would be needed to conform to the standard.

The Cactus is sold in Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, South Africa and South America, and so it is a 'world car' in that respect. The Cactus was tested by Euro NCAP, and scored highly in the pedestrian safety test, the best in its class, due to the car's curved shape at the front. This achievement is matched by few other cars tested. Cactus was the first passenger car to have the front passenger's front facing air bag mounted in the roof lining, which also allowed the glove-box to be larger than most competitors.

The Rip Curl is a collaboration with the surfing brand of the same name and is marketed as a more adventure based vehicle, with its 'Grip Control' feature meaning the driver can adjust the car to driving on either tarmac, snow, mud or ice.

This works by the ECU adjusting the power delivery to each of the front wheels independently, based on whichever wheel has more grip at any one moment. Aside from four-season Goodyear tyres, all other changes are purely aesthetic, with 'Rip Curl' graphics and orange seat belts amongst the differences.[5]

The W trim is an all white model, with a Pearl White body colour, plus white door mirrors, door handles, roof bars and alloy wheels.[6]

Facelift (2018)

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2018 facelift (European model)

Citroën presented a revised C4 Cactus for the model year of 2018. The facelifted Cactus has had a major technological upgrade, including emergency brake assist, lane departure warning system, traffic signage recognition, blindspot monitoring, and automated parking. With the C4 Cactus is being marketed as a hatchback (and no longer as a SUV), while the signature "Airbumps" were retained but made less obtrusive.[7][8][9]

Brazilian model

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Brazilian model

The European C4 Cactus was exported to selected countries in South America before its facelift.[10][11]

Until mid-2018, the C4 Cactus sold in Latin America were exported from Villaverde, Spain. In 2018, Citroën launches a local version of the facelifted C4 Cactus, produced in Porto Real, Brazil. It differs from the one produced in Madrid in many ways: it kept its roof bars, has a higher ground clearance and benefits from conventional side rear windows that roll down into the doors.[12]

Unlike the European market, it is marketed there as a small SUV. It quickly became Citroën's best-seller in Brazil and Argentina. After European model discontinuation, Citroën continues to produce the C4 Cactus in Brazil and to export it to Mercosur countries (as well as other Latin America countries such as Colombia, Costa Rica and Peru).[13][14]

It gets a minor update in July 2023, with the main feature being the introduction of the Citroën C3 CC21 10" infotainment system.[15]

Concept cars

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Awards

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Sales

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Year Europe[20][21] Brazil Argentina Colombia Uruguay
2014 28,974
2015 78,888
2016 71,378
2017 56,245 652[22]
2018 57,637 3,300[23] 2,424[24]
2019 52,600 16,439[25] 4,260[26] 591[27]
2020 26,379 9,529[28] 4,763[29] 535[30] 330[31]
2021 1,188 19,553[32] 5,579[33] 1,186[34] 301[35]
2022 18,450[36] 7,757[37] 1,594[38] 502[39]
2023 3,674[40] 2,900[41] 1,172[42] 474[43]

Notes

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  1. ^

References

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  1. ^ "Claire Bal, May 23, 2014, "Citroen C4 Cactus brings Madrid factory back to life" Automotive News Europe". Europe.autonews.com. 2014-05-23. Retrieved 2015-09-23.
  2. ^ "Citroën France". Citroen.fr. 2015-09-15. Retrieved 2015-09-23.
  3. ^ Catalogue de la Revue Automobile 2014 ISBN 978-3-613-30768-1 p. 180.
  4. ^ "Il y a 13 ans, C-Cactus : la révolution Citroën – LIGNES/auto". Retrieved 2022-11-06.
  5. ^ "Citroen C4 Cactus Rip Curl edition rolls in (surf board not included)". AutoExpress. 2016-05-25. Retrieved 2016-05-25.
  6. ^ "Citroen Launches C4 Cactus W Special Edition In The UK". CarScoops. 2016-07-28. Archived from the original on 2016-07-29. Retrieved 2016-07-28.
  7. ^ Dennison, James (2017-10-26). "Citroen C4 Cactus facelifted: Airbumps out, comfier ride in by CAR Magazine". Carmagazine.co.uk. Retrieved 2018-07-01.
  8. ^ "2018 Citroen C4 Cactus priced from £17,265". Autocar. 2 January 2018. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  9. ^ "Citroën C4 Cactus : la berline douce, sympa, reposante". Challenges (in French). 28 April 2018. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
  10. ^ "Crítica: Citroën C4 Cactus". ARGENTINA AUTOBLOG (in Spanish). 2017-06-02. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
  11. ^ "Crítica: Citroën C4 Cactus y C-Elysée". ARGENTINA AUTOBLOG (in Spanish). 2015-12-23. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
  12. ^ Leblanc, Yohann (2018-05-09). "La Citroën C4 Cactus (re)devient un SUV au Brésil". L'Automobile Magazine (in French). Retrieved 2021-05-26.
  13. ^ "VEINSA presenta el Citroen C4 Cactus". Puro Motor (in Spanish). 23 September 2022. Retrieved 2023-03-14.
  14. ^ PERÚ, NOTICIAS EL COMERCIO (2020-08-12). "Citroën presenta en Perú su renovado C4 Cactus | FOTOS | SUV | RUEDAS-TUERCAS". El Comercio (in Spanish). Retrieved 2023-03-14.
  15. ^ Redação (2023-07-07). "Citroën C4 Cactus 2024: saiba tudo sobre o SUV renovado". Autos Segredos (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2023-07-23.
  16. ^ "C4 Cactus Topgear Award - Citroën Ireland". Citroen.ie. 2014-12-15. Archived from the original on 2018-06-28. Retrieved 2018-07-01.
  17. ^ "World Car of the Year 2015 revealed". Archived from the original on 2015-04-10. Retrieved 2015-04-07.
  18. ^ "Citroën C4 Cactus Wins Car Design News Award for 'Production Car of the Year' - Citroën United Kingdom". Citroen.co.uk. 2015-03-05. Retrieved 2015-09-23.
  19. ^ "Small SUV of the Year 2017: Citroen C4 Cactus | New Car Awards 2017: The winners". Auto Express. 2017-06-28. Retrieved 2018-07-01.
  20. ^ Europe = EU27 + UK + Switzerland + Norway + Iceland
  21. ^ "Citroën C4 Cactus European sales figures". carsalesbase.com. 2014-08-03. Retrieved 2022-02-01.
  22. ^ "Así fueron las ventas totales en 2017". Motor1.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 2022-02-01.
  23. ^ "Carros mais vendidos do Brasil em 2018". AUTOO. 2021-05-12. Retrieved 2022-02-01.
  24. ^ "Así fueron las ventas totales en 2018". Motor1.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 2022-02-01.
  25. ^ "Carros mais vendidos do Brasil em 2019". AUTOO. 2021-05-13. Retrieved 2022-02-01.
  26. ^ "Así fueron las ventas totales en 2019". Motor1.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 2022-02-01.
  27. ^ Mantilla, Óscar Julián Restrepo (2020-01-22). "Top 100: Los carros más vendidos de Colombia en 2019". El Carro Colombiano (in Spanish). Retrieved 2023-02-16.
  28. ^ "Carros mais vendidos do Brasil em 2020". AUTOO. 2021-05-13. Retrieved 2022-02-01.
  29. ^ "Así fueron las ventas totales en 2020". Motor1.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 2022-02-01.
  30. ^ Castañeda, Fabián Rojas (2021-01-15). "Top 100: Los carros más vendidos de Colombia en 2020". El Carro Colombiano (in Spanish). Retrieved 2023-02-16.
  31. ^ "Ventas: diciembre 2020 (y anuales 2020)". Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  32. ^ "Carros mais vendidos do Brasil em 2021". AUTOO. 2021-01-03. Retrieved 2022-02-01.
  33. ^ "Así fueron las ventas totales en 2021". Motor1.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 2022-02-01.
  34. ^ Castañeda, Fabián Rojas (2022-01-22). "Top 100: Los carros más vendidos de Colombia en 2021". El Carro Colombiano (in Spanish). Retrieved 2023-02-16.
  35. ^ "Ventas: diciembre 2021 (y anuales 2021)". Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  36. ^ "Carros mais vendidos do Brasil em 2022". AUTOO. 2022-02-03. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  37. ^ "Así fueron las ventas en diciembre (y totales) 2022". Motor1.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  38. ^ Castañeda, Fabián Rojas (2023-01-24). "Los 100 carros más vendidos de Colombia en 2022: Informe Especial". El Carro Colombiano (in Spanish). Retrieved 2023-02-16.
  39. ^ "Ventas: diciembre (y totales) 2022". Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  40. ^ "Carros mais vendidos do Brasil em 2023". AUTOO. 2023-02-08. Retrieved 2024-03-26.
  41. ^ "Reporte Mensual - Diciembre 2023 - Mercado automotor 4w - Patentamientos" (PDF). motor1.com (in Spanish). January 2024. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
  42. ^ Radio, Redacción BLU (2024-01-22). "Los 100 carros más vendidos en Colombia en 2023". Blu Radio (in Spanish). Retrieved 2024-03-26.
  43. ^ "Ventas: diciembre (y totales) 2023". Retrieved 2024-03-26.
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