First half 2025 review - Citroën C4: the facelift is bearing fruit

When it first launched, the third-generation Citroën C4 made a significant impact with its audacious concept—a unique synthesis of a hatchback and an SUV. This bold design choice was far from a fleeting trend; it translated into resounding commercial success, propelling the C4 to the second-best-selling spot in its segment across Europe. The 2025 facelift, therefore, carried high stakes: to modernize the model without betraying its strong identity while consolidating its market position. Judging by its performance in the first half of 2025, it appears the mission has been accomplished. The chevron-branded hatchback is demonstrating impressive sales momentum, warranting a detailed analysis of its results.

Strong performance in key european markets

To understand the C4's success, a look at key European markets is essential. In Spain, its performance is nothing short of spectacular. Over the first six months of the year, 8,856 units of the Citroën C4 were sold, marking a remarkable growth of 37.11%. When combined with the 1,296 units of the C4 X, the C4 family dominates its segment. The primary driver of this success is the hybrid version, which accounts for an astounding 77% of C4 sales with 6,819 units, placing it in the top five of the overall Spanish market and making it the best-selling French hybrid car in the country.

In Italy, although the market dynamics differ, the C4 holds its own effectively. With 1,971 units sold in the first half of the year, it ranks fourth in its segment but, more importantly, stands as the number one mainstream compact hatchback, outperforming its direct competitors. Its resilience is noteworthy, with a 24.45% decline that is more contained than that of its cousin, the Peugeot 308, which fell by 31.08%.

France confirms this positive trend. With 10,785 units sold, the C4 leads its segment (C-Hatch) ahead of the Peugeot 308 (9,527 units). A breakdown by powertrain reveals a strong endorsement of the new versions: while electric sales have dropped by 71%, combustion engine sales have soared by 42.5%. The new hybrid powertrain has seen phenomenal growth of 4841%, with 8,262 units sold, making it the best-selling hybrid compact hatchback. Even more significantly, the C4 is winning over private customers. With 2,460 sales in this channel, its retail sales mix is nearly 23%, compared to approximately 19% for the 308 (1,817 retail sales), proving its strong appeal to a discerning customer base.

An accelerating european momentum in the second quarter

On a continental scale, and while consolidated figures for June are not yet available, the C4's momentum is undeniable. May 2025 was an exceptional month, with sales increasing by 40% to reach 5,317 units. This performance stands in stark contrast to the trend of its main competitors during the same period: the Peugeot 308 (-15%), Opel Astra (-39%), Volkswagen Golf (-18%), Toyota Corolla (-6%), and Ford Focus (-33%). The C4 was one of the very few compact hatchbacks to post such strong growth.

For the first half of 2025, the C4's European sales totaled 26,681 units, a slight year-on-year decrease of 3%. However, this figure, taken in isolation, does not tell the full story. It masks a dramatic improvement in the trend: while sales were down 15% at the end of the first quarter, the C4 nearly erased its losses over the following two months. This recovery is far more pronounced than that of its direct rivals. The Peugeot 308 (-25%) and Opel Astra (-36%) mitigated their declines less effectively, while the Golf, Corolla, and Focus saw their losses widen. This second-quarter resurgence is a powerful signal that bodes well for a significant increase in the coming months. It is also crucial to highlight that the C4 is achieving a level of performance that none of its predecessors managed, and it does so with only a single hatchback body style, whereas most competitors benefit from combined sales that include their station wagon versions.

The initial figures from the first half of the year confirm it: the effect of the 2025 facelift is being fully felt in the Citroën C4's commercial performance. The momentum observed during the second quarter, driven largely by the success of its new hybrid powertrain, is particularly encouraging. It allows the hatchback to solidify its position, close the gap on its competitors, and even pull ahead in strategic markets.

The Citroën C4 is firmly positioned to maintain its second-place spot on the European podium for C-segment hatchback sales. This remarkable achievement, secured with a single, boldly designed silhouette, demonstrates the relevance of Citroën's strategy. More than just a model, this C4 has become an essential pillar of the brand's overall sales, proving that audacity, comfort, and efficiency are a decidedly winning combination.