The C4 was awarded the maximum five-star score from crash-test experts Euro NCAP, which puts it at the top of its class. All cars have six airbags as standard (the fixed steering wheel means that the driver’s airbag is a special design that is said to give better protection), ABS, electronic brakeforce distribution, brake assist and seatbelt pre-tensioners.

As for security, the C4 has been awarded five stars from security experts Thatcham and the laminated glass is tough enough to stop a determined thief from breaking in for 30 seconds.

There’s a decent-sized boot with 314 litres of space – that’s only a few litres smaller than the five-door C4. The tailgate opens high, making accessing the load area easy, but the boot lip is quite prominent so unloading heavy objects tricky. However there is a large and useful underfloor storage area. The glovebox is air conditioned on some models, which is ideal for chilling drinks, although it is quite small.

In fact cabin stowage is a bit of a contradiction – there are plenty of cubbyholes but no real space to put anything. The problem is they are not particularly well thought out or useful – annoyingly most are too small and fairly pointless.