THE family hatch sector is bursting with new models and the terrific cars in the group - Focus, Astra, Golf - make it a tough call for anyone wanting a small family car.

While the new Ford Focus slugs it out with the Vauxhall Astra for the top sales spot, you may have noticed that the latest exterior designs in the segment are leaning heavily towards the coup look.

That slick-and-quick profile marks out the new Citron C4, but this award-winning hatchback has something the others don't - a cabin to kill for.

In a desert of interior sameness, the C4 is an oasis. And if you happen to have a grand or so to spare, then splash out a bit.

The sumptuous, cream leather interior that comes with the two-litre HDi Exclusive gives the C4 all the majesty of a big Jaguar, and is well worth the extra £1,150. It needs the metallic paint to complement it - another £325 - but the £480 Bluetooth phone pack is more a business proposition than a private buy.

Back to the inside story, though, where spreading information across four different fascia sites might not be to everyone's taste, but it looks impressive.

In this well-packaged set of wheels, there is strong evidence that Citron will never quite lose that burning desire to be a little bit different from the mainstream.

Flicking from centre top, to centre middle, then bottom centre for various information before looking through the steering wheel for a revs read-out is not the best in eye ergonomics, and, in distracting the eye for the odd millisecond or so, it takes a little edge off an otherwise superstar safety package - airbags all round, fully-supported anti-lock brakes, traction control, tyre pressure warning system, and five inertia seatbelts, four of them with force limiters. Then there is the C4's Euro-NCAP (New Car Assessment Programme) ratings - five stars for frontal/side impact protection, three stars on the pedestrian test, and four stars for the child safety rating.

The speedo is designed for easy reading day or night and the rev counter will glow red if you take the engine speed to dangerous levels. So, the innovation isn't just for fancy, although it is tempting to indulge in some casual engine abuse just to see it happen.

With the outstanding interior goes an equally lively engine. The 138bhp, four-cylinder diesel is a force to be reckoned with on the open road - through all six manual gears. Top speed is 129mph. It will hit 60mph in less than 10 seconds and the drive is sure-footed on any surface.

The mid-range power will delight drivers who enjoy a bit of bobbing and weaving on the big roads.

The 1,997cc diesel package would prove cheap to run for a company car user. With 142g/km emissions, it attracts a £115 yearly road licence fee and enjoys a lowly 15 per cent benefit-in-kind rating.

With 62.8mpg on the country driving cycle, the 2.0HDi can also go further thanks to its 60-litre fuel tank - that's a good five to 10 litres larger than most of its rivals in this market segment.

The 2.0HDi Exclusive package, without the add-ons mentioned, is £18,395, but that will buy you one of the best cars Citron has produced.

Comfort, luxury equipment, storage space galore and plenty of room for four adults show the C4 to be a good all-rounder that is genuinely hard to fault. For further details, call Viking Citron on 01256 697801.