OVER the years Citroen showrooms have held as many mysteries as a lost valley in Borneo.

There have been a collection of shapes and interiors aimed at everyone from teenagers to self employed castanet sanders - and above all else, bargain hunters.

Radical design has been a driving force. The original D-Series, for instance, is celebrated as a work of art. Really? How much demand could there be there for a four-door Canaletto?

The CX gloried in inflatable suspension fuelled by green blood which would not have been out of place in Star Trek.

The BX? Partly constructed from the same material as mine sweepers. Hardly your average design cue but useful if you have ever been mined on the M6.

So what on earth is happening with the far from radical DS4?

Citroen says its second creation in the premium DS sub-brand offers the style of a coupe with the practicality of a saloon and the driving position of an SUV.

At first glance a recipe for a camel if ever there was one. But no, the result is a well put together family hatch which steers clear of the avant garde extremes.

Which means you can't judge the DS4 on its contribution to modern art. It must be compared to some rather strong mainstream competitors. And the six-speed manual, two-litre 160bhp HDi DStyle stands up well.

Although the DS4 is based on the C4 this is hardly an airbrushing.The car has been raised 32mm and the exterior styling is bold but not bonkers.

Inside there are bright ideas like a receding rooflining which lets more light in if you want it and striking nighttime backlights.

The DStyle trim level brings with it a good interior finish and plenty of kit. It has the full run down of safety initials and electronic driver assistance for things like parking and staying in the right gear. Obviously at the price you get Bluetooth and a full entertainment package.

Out on the open road we are hardly talking fast but certainly adequate. There are times when the suspension is hard but overall this is a classy ride helped by a whispering diesel engine and while not the stuff of nosebleeds good enough fun. Running costs are restrained, too.

So what's not to like? Well, hidden handles on the rear doors actually fooled some passengers and the brakes take a bit of getting used to. Fierce would be a good description.

Still, better to stop than not and there is a full array of passive safety features, emergency braking assistance,ESP, traction control and driver aids like hill start assist.

Comfort features include partly electric leather trimmed seats, air conditioning, guide me home lights, frost alert and plenty of storage. Pretty good boot space, too.

It is said the soon to arrive DS5 is even less familiar with the utterings of the extreme designs goblin.

While pricing may be entering unfamiliar territory for Citroen bargain hunters what's coming into the showroom is worth it.