Citroën C4

A lot of the publicity around the new Citroën C4 has focused on the all-electric E-C4 variant. However, while electrification is of course becoming more and more important, fleets aren't totally done with petrol just yet - and it's still projected to be the most popular fuel type with the new C4. So, we thought it was a good idea to see how the model stacks up on a cost basis against some key rivals, when equipped with the 130hp petrol engine that was the first to debut. We're looking at it paired with a six-speed manual gearbox - an eight-speed auto is also available.

Although we're considering the C4 as a lower-medium hatch, in reality categorising it is perhaps not quite so straightforward. Having previously offered a choice between the more conventional C4 hatch and the C4 Cactus crossover, with the new C4 Citroën has combined elements of both. This means a chunkier profile than is normal for the segment, with some styling cues borrowed from Citroën's Aircross SUV models.

Four equipment grades are offered, and here we're considering figures from the mid-range Sense Plus spec - one up from entry-level Sense. Extra equipment fitted with Sense Plus includes a head-up display, satnav and a rear parking camera.

Having picked it out as the main focus for this comparison, it's perhaps fitting that the C4's biggest asset against its rivals here is the petrol engine. It offers the best official fuel economy figure at 54.7mpg and also emits the least CO2, although its 122g/km figure isn't a big enough advantage over the Mazda to put it in a lower BIK tax band. Its relatively small capacity also means that it sits along with the Renault in the 10p AFR band, whereas the Mazda and Skoda fall into the 12p category.

On the downside, the Citroën in this spec is by a narrow margin the most expensive car here, but it does have the second-best projected residual value, a contributing factor to it having the second-cheapest projected cost-per-mile figure overall. This is helped by the aforementioned fuel savings, despite also having narrowly the most expensive SMR figure.

Citroën C4 Hatch 1.2 PureTech 130 Sense Plus 6Spd 

P11D: £22,775

CO2 (BIK band): 122g/km (28%)

BIK 20/40% a month: £106/£213

Fuel consumption: 54.7mpg

National Insurance: £880

First year VED: £175

Subsequent VED: £150

Engine size/power: 1,199cc/130hp

AFR: 10p

Residual value: 36.9%

Depreciation: £14,369

Fuel: £5,888 

SMR: £2,003

Cost per mile: 37.10p

Mazda3 

If you're looking for a stylish lower-medium hatch, then the Mazda3 should undoubtedly be near the top of your list. But of course, style isn't something we're concerned with in this article, where it's all about cold hard data. Fortunately, for the three, it recently received a boost in this area with the introduction of revised mild hybrid engines. Both the e-Skyactiv-G we're looking at here and the more powerful e-Skyactiv-X have been tweaked, with the e-Skyactiv-G seeing a reduction in CO2 emissions by around 7-8g/km.

The advantage of this can be seen from the official figure, which, although slightly higher than the Citroën, places the Mazda into the same 28% BIK band. This means that it (just) achieves the cheapest driver tax and National Insurance payments, although it should also be noted that it is the least powerful car here. 

The Mazda's main advantage in a cost comparison is strong residual values - perhaps a sign that its stylishness does pay off financially after all. This means relatively low depreciation, which in turn means it achieves the best overall cost-per-mile figure of the four cars we're looking at.

Mazda3 Hatch 2.0 e-SKYACTIV G MHEV 122 SE-L Lux 6Spd 

P11D: £22,670

CO2 (BIK band): 124g/km (28%)

BIK 20/40% a month: £106/£212

Fuel consumption: 51.4mpg

National Insurance: £876

First year VED: £175

Subsequent VED: £150

Engine size/power: 1,998cc/122hp

AFR: 12p

Residual value: 39.5%

Depreciation: £13,726

Fuel: £6,266