In an era when so many cars look very similar, Citroen is to be applauded for going its own way.
The C4 Cactus was launched four-years ago and received praise for its out-there looks, practicality and comfortable ride.
Its wackiest touch was the air-filled plastic bubbles attached to the side of the car to protect it from minor bumps and scrapes.
It’s based on the C4 hatchback but has an SUV flavour that’s seen it steal sales from the Renault Captur, Nissan Juke and Jeep Renegade.
Unusually for a mid-life refresh, Citroen has done much more than just tinker with the shape of the lights and grille. The entire suspension has been reworked, with hydraulic dampers added to all four corners.
The old car already had a smooth ride but the revamped version takes comfort to a whole new level for this class of car.
The airbumps have been all but done away with on this new model, relegated to a small strip at the bottom of the body.
Another ace up the C4 Cactus’s sleeve is its price. Starting at a little over £17,000, it handily undercuts many of its main rivals. Under the bonnet is a choice of a 1.2 litre petrol with 81 or 108bhp or a 1.6 litre diesel with 100 or 131bhp.
My 108bhp petrol model in higher spec Flair trim cost just a tenner under £20,000.
Some quiet Carse of Gowrie back roads showcased the new suspension. It’s seriously smooth and even potholes don’t unsettle it much.
While it’s not the last word in handling, it grips fairly well with only a little body roll.
The 1.2 litre engine pulls well and also returns around 60mpg, according to official figures. Only the lack of a sixth forward gear prevents it being a truly fantastic motorway cruiser – though the top level diesel engine rectifies this issue with a six-speed ‘box.
On the inside there’s plenty of room front and back and a good sized boot. New “comfort” seats complement the smoother suspension.
A seven-inch touchscreen system is standard across the range. This looks great but you have to dive through several menus to turn up the heating or change the fan settings – not easy when you’re driving.
The C4 Cactus deserves success. It’s good value, distinctive looking, and far and away the most comfortable car in its class.
Price:
£19,990.
0-62mph:
9.4 seconds
Top speed:
117mph
Economy:
62.8mpg
CO2 emissions:
104g/km