Creating a four-door, family-sized hatchback is not exactly nuclear science. Ensuring that this hatchback's styling is en vogue, that its cabin has an addictive ambiance and that it's driving dynamics are de rigueur is however a completely different matter.

In case you're wondering why I'm using so many terms from the French language, it's because the French are usually the ones who attempt to create cares encompassing all these elements and usually with a modicum of success.

I was quite a big fan of the previous generation Citroën C4, albeit more so of the three-door model than the five-door. I loved the distinctively different styling it brought to the segment, but while it was popular for a few years after launch, its popularity waned as more and more competitive models were released. After introducing a large number of stunning and highly impressive new models over the past year (C3, DS3, C5, to name a few), it's the new Citroën C4 that's hoping to create an explosion of energy in its segment.

The exterior styling is certainly in line with the French marque's latest design philosophy, from some angles resembling the cute C3 and from others, especially at the front, the C5. It's a mature design that isn't quite as daring or cutting-edge as its predecessor, but there is probably a reason for this. After all, Renault also took the safer route when introducing the latest-generation Mégane. In the Mégane's case, South African buyers still wanted to shake their derrieres and I only hope that Citroën has some exciting visual enhancements available should the latest C4 also require more edge.

While the C4 shares it's name with an equally versatile explosive material, there is nothing plastic about its interior. Citroën has used only the highest-grade materials for the C4's interior, including jersey fabric on the roof lining and slush skin on the dashboard and instrument cluster for a soft, supple feel, and it's a notably upmarket place to be. Chrome is tastefully used to highlight certain elements of the interior, while the good ergonomics of the centre console layout further enhances the driving experience.

The interior ambience can also be adapted to suit you rmood, with a choice of four polyphonic 'ringtones' – Classic, Crystal Symphony, Jungle Fantasy and Urban Rythmik – for the indicator side repeaters and warning signals. The driver can also select one of four intensity levels for the air conditioning – low, medium or high and a rest function – as well as defining the colour of the instrument cluster, from white to blue. The wide windscreen can be further enhanced with an optional 1.3m2 panoramic sunroof.

Apart from the inclusion of well-known technologies, the C4 also boasts unique features not seen in this segment before, living up to Citroën's promise of créative technologie. Some of these systems include a blind spot monitoring system using ultrasound technology as well as front fog lamps with static cornering lighting that provide a second light source inside bends to increase visibility and safety on corners and intersections.

To ensure a relaxed driving experience, the C4's noise, vibration and harshness levels are on par with that of the C5, while its audio system features new sound spatialisation technology that positions the sound scene opposite the driver or all the passengers for maximum listening comfort. To customise your music experience, the C4 includes a USB port, jack for external music players and a 12V socket. All in all, the C4 is good to look at albeit a bit too understated for my liking, with good specification and top-notch trimmings. So far, so good, then.

The VTI 120 is the entry-level in the C4 range, it's 1.6-litre naturally aspirated engine developing a measly 88kW of power and 160Nm of torque at a high 4 250r/min. While the car might be nippier at the coast, it's a dead weight up in Gauteng. The low-ish power output in combination with the maximum torque only being available so high up in the rev range makes the car extremely sluggish and detracts from what would otherwise have been a very impressive car. Mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox, acceleration to 100km/h takes 10.8 seconds with top speed reached at 193km/h (in theory of course, as I didn't have the patience to test it). Combined fuel consumption is a claimed 6.2-litres/100km with carbon emissions at 143g/km.

That said, the C4 does offer excellent roll control and shows sharp reactions when at speed and as a driver I felt completely in control of the car at all times. Driving aids like electronic brakeforce distribution, emergency braking assistance and intelligent traction control coupled with ESP reinforces the car's handling and has, along with its energy-dissipating structure and six airbags, contributed to the C4 receiving five stars in EuroNCAP tests.

Retailing for R218 000, the C4 1.6 VTI 120 is competitively priced in its segment, but not necessarily the best option. Competitors include the the all-new Ford Focus 1.6 Ambiente (92kW, 159Nm, R208 400), the Kia Cerato 2.0 5-dr (115kW, 194Nm at 4 300r/min, R205 995), the Mazda3 Sport 1.6 Active (77kW, 145Nm at 4 000r/min, R218 030), the Nissan Tiida 1.6 Visia+ (80kW, 153Nm at 4 400r/min, R186 700), the Peugeot 308 Comfort 1.6 VTI (identical power outputs as the C4 but priced at R208 209), the Renault Mégane 1.6 Dynamique (83kW, 151Nm at 4 250r/min, R229 900), the Toyota Auris XS (97kW, 160Nm at 4 400r/min, R218 500) and the Volkswagen Golf 6 1.6 Trendline (75kW, 148Nm at 5 600r/min, R221 300).

Of this bunch, the Mazda3 and the Renault Mégane is utterly overpriced. Nissan's Tiida offers the best value for money, but its styling is not to everyone's taste, leaving the Kia Cerato and the new Ford Focus as my first choices. The Peugeot 308 is also worth considering, but as it offers the same power at a lower price, it's merely a better choice than the C4. Also keep in mind that, for a few thousand Rand more, you can get the Alfa Romeo Giulietta 1.4 Progression (88kW, 206Nm at 1 750r/min, R243 000), the Audi A3 Sportback 1.4 TFSI Attraction (92kW, 200Nm at 1 500r/min, R266 685) or the Volkswagen Golf 6 1.4 TSI Comfortline (90kW, 200Nm at 1 500r/min, R243 300).

At a glance, Citroën's latest C4 certainly appears to continue in the French marque's latest strategy of releasing very high specification new models that deliver not only on the owner experience, but also on efficiency and value for money. Unfortunately the 1.6 VTI 120 engine lets an otherwise impressive package down in a big way. I am a huge fan of PSA Peugeot Citroën's HDi diesel engines and am positive that, once Citroën introduces an HDi model locally, sales of the C4 will be a formidable offering in its segment.