THERE'S no doubt that the last few years have seen Citron change its approach to selling cars.

Out went bold design and technological statements in favour of conservative styling and a focus on being a value for money champion.

While the latter is a commendable aim and has done wonders for the French car-maker's bottom line, critics and fans have bemoaned the lack of large-scale innovation and risk taking.

When in the past the firm would have had a handful of truly innovative cars on sale at any one time, buyers in the 21st century have had to make do with the C5.

Granted it is full of clever stuff, but not a car you buy with your heart.

Citron's mid-size Mondeo rival has now had the extreme makeover treatment and is a more edgy, wedgey car in a similar way to the long-departed XM. Its new nose, complete with larger-than-life double-chevron Citron logo, has seen to that.

In the sector below the C5, the transformation is an even more dramatic one. The family hatch market is a tough one, and it's fair to say that the Xsara never quite rose to the same giddy heights as cars from Ford and Vauxhall. And with the sector now full of brand-new metal from all the major players, the arrival of Citron's new C4 is a timely one.

As a complete package, the C4 (pictured) appears to have it all. Its svelte, curvy body sports a clever interpretation of Citron's chevron logo, while the overall appearance is one of a car that's been styled to be noticed, not to blend into the background.

The good news continues inside where space is in reasonable supply both fore and aft. Rear headroom, despite the C4's noticeably sloping roof, is also good and the front seats offer plenty of adjustment. Of equal importance is fit and finish, something of a Citron weakness in recent years. Not so anymore; the quality of both the materials used and overall finish is high - enough to challenge the likes of VW's Golf and Ford's Focus.

But where's the innovation, you ask. If you're the driver it's right in front of you. The steering wheel is pure Citron, as its central boss, complete with airbag, is fixed and the rim and spokes do all the moving. Not only does it hark back to the days of the CX and early BXs with their minimalist helms, but it also means that the driver's airbag is more effective when it deploys.

The wheel itself houses numerous buttons and miniature navigation wheels for the stereo, cruise control, main display, plus a nifty Saab-like button to kill all the various displays, bar the speedo, at night. The ergonomics are spot on, with everything within easy reach of your thumbs.

Taking a leaf out of its Picasso's book, Citron has put the C4's main display - speedo, trip, fuel gauge - dead-centre on the fascia under the windscreen.

The other important stuff - rev counter plus headlamp and indicator lights - is located on the steering wheel boss, racecar style.

Although unconventional, it all works well and makes you question why other car firms stick doggedly to convention.

Citron's forward-thinking approach with the C4 extends beyond the driver, though. Equipment levels are generous, with a predictable focus on safety, and the car's overall performance betters its predecessor in the key areas of refinement and driveability.

Predictably, safety kit features high on the list, and standard fit across the range includes six airbags, ABS, EBD and brake assist.

Model-dependent features stretch to electronic traction and stability programmes, laminated side windows (they behave like a windscreen in a crash and reduce exterior noise) plus a tyre pressure warning system and a clever lane departure warning system. When activated, this feature vibrates the driver's seat when a white line is crossed without indicating - a potentially-life-saving option.

Comfort-related kit is also plentiful, and you can expect the usual spread of goodies, including power windows and mirrors, in-car entertainment, auto windscreen wipers and headlamps, depending on whether you pick the LX, SX, VTR, VTR+, VTS or flagship Exclusive model.

With the recent, and positive, shift in the family hatch market towards cars that are enjoyable to drive, the C4 is up against some serious competition.

Fortunately Citron's hatch doesn't only pamper occupants but rewards drivers.

The two key areas of C4 competence are ride and engines. The latter revolves around Citron's already-acclaimed diesel motors. You can go for the petrol units (1.4, 1.6 and two-litre), but the HDi oil burners are better.

The C4's HDi 110 motor is the consummate all-rounder; refined, willing and frugal. More thrust is offered by the HDi 138, and lower bills by the HDi 92 variant.

On the road, the C4 is supple, quiet and responsive. You turn the wheel - the C4 goes where you point it, no fuss, no drama. Its brakes are positive and reassuring and the chassis and suspension confidently smother bumps and other surface imperfections.

Citron's Xsara was an under-rated car. The C4 is better in every way; more kit, more attractive, more refined and more innovative. That it looks better than the current crop of chunky hatches styled in the Yorkie bar school of design is the icing on the cake.

For the average buyer, the C4 is a breath of fresh air. For Citron fans, it proves that the marque is willing to embrace its past to face the future.

For more information, call Viking Citron on 01256 697801.