Small and tantalisingly affordable, the outgoing Citroën C4 Cactus is a car beset with problems. For a start, it has tiny back seats and a boot so small that you have to bring it to CERN in Geneva so that its volume can be measured by the Large Hadron Collider. And the rear windows only pop out, they don’t wind down. And the driving position is awkward.
And yet, we do rather like it. Style plays a huge part here, and there’s no denying the Cactus’ groovy, almost cartoon-character good looks.
The cabin is quirky and appealing too, even in spite of those practical considerations. And it’s affordable, both to buy and run, which is the whole point of the car to begin with. The quirky detailing helps (the lights, those Airbumps) and for all our cribbing, the motoring world would be a poorer place without the Cactus.
This is all a reference to the outgoing model and the new C4 Cactus will overcome a lot of these issues; for that alone, it’s worth a mention on our list.
Best model: 1.2 PureTech 110 Flair
Prices start from: €18,020
Finance package from: €195
CO2 emissions: 89-107g/km
Sum-up: There are flaws to cope with, but a charming, engaging car in spite of them.