Watch: Citroen C4 misses out on 5-star ANCAP rating

The new Citroen C4 is the latest vehicle to fall foul of the folks at ANCAP, with the organisation revealing late last week that the model has missed out on coveted full five-star rating — instead having to settle for four stars. 

ANCAP rated the C4 a 76 for Adult Occupant Protection, 81 for Child Occupant Protection, just 57 in Vulnerable Road User Protection, and 62 in Safety Assist. 

In its notes, ANCAP noted that the C4 does not come with a centre airbag to prevent front occupants from clashing during a crash, hampering its side-impact ratings. ANCAP chief executive Carla Hoorweg added that the C4 could get the organisation’s top rating with some “small adjustments”. 

“Unfortunately, the Citroën C4’s scores fell short in three of our four key areas of assessment meaning it was unable to meet the five star safety standard consumers and fleets have come to expect,” Hoorweg said.

“21 of the 23 new models rated by ANCAP to our current 2020-2022 criteria have achieved five star ANCAP safety ratings, and this highlights the great work vehicle manufacturers are doing to provide their customers with the safest vehicles they can.”

“Achieving the highest level of safety in ANCAP assessments is not a simple task, yet it is clear through the star rating results we continue to see from the vast majority of brands that collectively the ambition exists to supply the safest vehicles possible.”

“The safety performance of the C4 suggests the same level of ambition shown by many of its competitors was not a focus for Citroën with this particular model.”

“It is likely that with some small enhancements, Citroën could see the C4 elevated to five stars, and we would strongly encourage Citroën to consider introducing such improvements.”

The C4’s four-star rating comes off the back of a slew of five-star ratings for the likes of the Great Wall Motors (GWM) Cannon ute, the Ioniq 5, and the Volvo XC40 Recharge. 

The new C4 recently landed in New Zealand. For our full review, check out the November edition of NZ Autocar Magazine, on sale now.