2022 Citroen C4 scores four stars in ANCAP crash test

The new Citroen C4 has been given an unwanted title, becoming just the second vehicle to not receive a five-star ANCAP safety rating since 2020.

According to the independent crash testing authority, the new-for-2022 C4 could only achieve a four-star rating, with just one of its four tested categories passing over the threshold for five stars, similar to the Kia Cerato S and Sport.

Rolling out across Australia and New Zealand this month, the C4's poor score was largely attributed to its 57 per cent result for vulnerable road user protection as well as its 62 per cent rating for its safety assist systems, both unable to clear the five-star threshold of 60 and 70 per cent respectively.

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While its 76 per cent result was far from the lowest-scoring aspect, ANCAP believes the adult occupant protection score was due to a lack of far-side impact protection for the C4 which lacks a centre airbag, leading to just 0.12 points out of four points in this test.

ANCAP CEO Carla Hoorweg criticised Citroen its inability to construct a C4 which could score five stars in its crash tests, saying it wasn't a focus of the French manufacturer.

"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,” said Hoorweg.

"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.

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“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."

It's not all bad news for the C4, as its child occupant protection rating of 81 per cent exceeded the five-star threshold by one per cent, although the testing protocols calls for the lowest-rating category to determine a vehicle's overall rating.

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A spokesperson for Citroen Australia told Wheels it was still confident in providing a safe vehicle to consumers.

"As with all Citroen vehicles, the C4 focuses on providing safety, comfort and convenience," said the spokesperson.

"The single highly-specified C4 variant available in Australia comes as standard with 18 of the latest generation driving technologies that help ensure a safe and convenient driving environment."

ANCAP noted the C4 sold in Australia features safety equipment such as a camera and radar autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system which are not available on European examples, however it was noted this ultimately didn't affect its rating.