Citroen's classy SUV contender

The C4 handles sand well.

Though it is unlikely that Citroen is going to shove SUV stalwarts such as Toyota, Honda and Nissan aside, the French carmaker does bring a very attractive, very capable and very likeable alternative option to the party.

The timing is also good because fuel prices are encouraging many owners of bigger vehicles to move to the small SUV segment, while small car buyers (women in particular) are opting for the cocooned, high-riding style of a small SUV which they perceive to be safer and much more "visible" than just an ordinary small sedan.

The manne are attracted by the segment's Jack Russell looks, its gravel and sand capabilities, the common sense of cheaper running costs, its environment friendliness and its sedan-like handling and comfort - all the reasons why non-SUV fans often snidely refer to these vehicles as cross-dressers.

Take the sand? Sure!

Ground clearance is 200mm - adequate for most situations.

Cross-dresser the Citroen C4 Aircross might well be, but it does a damn fine job of it because it rides remarkable smoothly and enthusiastically on black-top surfaces and it shows little inclination to lean or become unsettled even when the going does become a tad enthusiastic through the corners.

Take it into the dirt and sand and the French dandy will blow your socks off with the ease with which it ploughs on through bush and really thick sand, as we discovered when we headed into the coastal forests between Inhambane and Massinga Bay in Mozambique where the Aircross was introduced to the South African motoring Media.

Both models impressed with their prowess through thick sand.

Citroen is bringing the Aircross to the local market with the choice of three derivatives and two transmissions, all powered by the same 2-litre, 113kW/187Nm naturally aspirated petrol engine.

The vehicle has the same underpinnings as the Mitsubishi ASX and the Peugeot 4008 which is due to arrive here soon and it's a set-up that works really well.

The entry level is the Attraction manual. One step up the ladder is the higher-specced Seduction model, followed by the automatic model called Seduction CVT automatic and the flagship Exclusive 4WD CVT automatic.

True grit

At the launch I drove both the manual and automatic models and enjoyed the peppy engine, classy ride, smart interior and spacious cabin. Also impressive was its keenness to trot and both the manuals and auto models were quite amazing in the sand. (In fact, shortly after the Citroen launch I drove the new Mercedes-Benz ML which obviously is a much bigger, heavier and pricier type of vehicle and very much the dominant player in its segment and the Citroen stacked up surprisingly well against the smart and very expensive German chariot).

Sufficient space for a good few cases of wine - South Africa's best, naturally.

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Although both the manual and automatic Citroen variations were good on tar and in sand, it was the 4WD model which, as to be expected, impressed with its prowess through thick sand. Although both models put power down via their front wheels, the four-wheel drive models also offer on-the-move changes to full 4WD and diff lock modes at just the click of a switch.

We ploughed through seriously thick sand and the 4WD model never even got to breathing hard. Full marks, however, must also go the non-4WD model which worked a little harder but didn't get bogged down once.

Our man's a manual fan

Purely from a personal viewpoint I preferred the manual version based on nothing more than an absolute dislike of any CVT transmission. Give me an "ordinary" automatic transmission any day rather than the constant, boring drone of a CVT transmission. Yes, it's smooth but it's not all that quiet and particularly when you want to speed things up a bit the engine tends to sound as though it has to work so much harder. But then CVT's have their followers as well as their critics and it would be a boring old world if we all preferred broccoli and sprouts to boeries rolls and slap chips...

The C4 is well supplied with features - even the entry level model comes well equipped.

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Typical of the French the latest addition to the Citroen family flaunts its flair in fairly flashy fashion, from its new brand-mark double-line chrome grille and daylight running lights to curved sides, sloping roof line and cheeky derriere.

In terms of make-up there is very little difference between the variations but the 4WD model brags with a roof rack, chrome strips on the outside, a panoramic roof and bigger 18-inch alloys.

The cabin feels classy and well screwed and glued together and the seats are really quite comfortable, as though the French white jackets this time round designed a car better suited to the bodies of Bordeaux wine farmers than Parisian croissant nibblers and pavement coffee sippers.

Well equipped

Specification levels are also outstanding and even the entry level is equipped with a multi-function steering wheel with audio controls, a fully adjustable steering column, full-size spare wheel (the new Mercedes-Benz ML has a space saver), fog lights, keyless entry and 200mm of ground clearance.

The living quarters are well appointed, and well put together.

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The next step model has all of that plus more airbags, cruise control, hands-free telephone controls and rear tinted privacy glass plus a few other goodies.

It might well be Citroen's first step in this market segment but the Aircross is a classy newcomer, well worth a test drive by anybody with a small SUV on his bucket list. It certainly is versatile enough to appeal to a wide buyer market and its stylish looks, good drive quality and newness could be its major assets.

The models and prices (inclusive of a three-year/100 000km warranty, a five-year/100 000km service plan and a roadside assistance plan) are:

2.0i Attraction manual; - R269 900
2.0i Seduction manual - R294 900
2.0i Seduction CVT Automatic - R309 900
2.0i Exclusive CVT Automatic - R369 900

Specifications

2013 Citroen C4 Aircross - Offroad

Honest John's Citroen C4 road test

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=SGvH2jqg9kI

Fifth Gear Web TV - Citroen C4 Road Test

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=-W--8ZApC60

2013 Citroën C4 Aircross Offroad