The E-C4 X is a car of its time in my opinion and shines a spotlight on the future for the iconic French double-chevron Citroen brand. Okay, it might just be a booted electric version of the C4 from the outset, but what makes this car interesting is, that it will only be available with an electric powertrain, and despite more interior and boot space, it is priced from £31,995 - the same as the E-C4. In a cost of living crisis, surely everyone would like more for the same price? 

Citroen might claim the E-C4 X is a combination of fastback and SUV, but coming up to a year since the reveal and appearing the first time on UK soil, this car's design is no more than a saloon version of the C4 hatch. While that might sound unfair to the Citroen, in reality, the new rear design is well-done with the neatly detailed, large LED rear light clusters, discreet rear spoiler, and lower diffuser.

Inside, like the outside, it's the same as the C4 in the front. So, think the same wide, cossetting Comfort seats and multi-adjustable driving position. There's also the added bonus of actual physical controls for the heating and ventilation. The biggest change is Citroen's latest MyCitroen Drive Plus infotainment system, which is a big improvement over the outgoing system, with a larger 10in touchscreen. 

The extra 240mm is felt more in the back of the E-C4 X, where passengers get an extra 198mm of kneeroom. Move to the boot and rear legroom, and there's more space - 130 litres more in fact, equalling a total of 510 litres. Plus, added practicality in the form of a split/fold rear seat, ski hatch and flat loading floor.  

The E-C4 X boasts more boot space, but being a saloon, you might struggle to make best use of it, as the access isn't as good as the regular C4. Plus, the opening for the split/fold rear seat is small, and you'll have to remove the third rear headrest if you want to use the ski hatch - which is fiddly. 

Mechanically, as we said before there's just the one choice, the same 50kWh battery that's fitted in the E-C4. When combined with the front-mounted motor, this equals a modest 136hp and 260Nm. Then again, like the E-C4 before it and the rest of the Citroen range, the focus is on comfort - which this car does very well. So, the acceleration to 62mph almost seems irrelevant, but comes up in 9.3 seconds - this feels willing rather than fast. Still, E-C4 X customers can console themselves that the 'X's' saloon rear results in five miles more range at 222. Plus, when it's time to charge, this Citroen EV is capable of 100kW DC rapid charging, going from 20 to 80% in around 30 minutes. 

It doesn't seem long since we first drove the E-C4 X, and we're pleased to say that despite a change in country and the steering wheel moving to the right, the driving experience is unchanged. The highlights are the ride and refinement, which is thanks to the hydraulic bump stops in the suspension - cleverly hiding all but the worst that the less-than-perfect Worcestershire tarmac could throw at us on our test. 

If anything, we believe the ride is more settled than with the E-C4 on which it's based, making for a comfortable, refined driving companion. Just don't expect this Citroen to be able to scythe through corners like a hot hatch.