Citroen ZX 2.0 16V Review

Overall Rating

Excellent Performance, Superb Handling and good looks to.

Expensive for parts and abit thirsty for the go juice.

I have owned several fast cars, 205gti, r5gt, uno turbo and 16v astra but this Citroen ZX 2.016V is abit of a wolf in sheeps clothing. Extremely rapid accelaration, absolutely is glued to the road and stops on a dime. I have seen off several of the above without any trouble and can't fault it performance wise. 0-60 in 6.5 secs and 145 top speed. 160bhp standard however mine has been increased to 203. Abit thirsty but what can u expect. Some problems with the electric windows failing but apart from that nothing to really slag off. Looks the part to - even better lowered. Exhausts do not seem to last long so would recommend an instant upgrade to a stainless one. Spares are expensive but easily available from other sources and some peugeot parts are the same. I do get miffed when people think it's the volcane model. The difference between them is the 2.0 16v has side skirts and different alloys and a nice little 2.0i badge on the front wing. Do not try one of these on as if you do u will probably no definately lose out....

Members' Comments onGazza.'s Review

• goose. on 9th Jul 2003

  fair play mate i own a 1.4 reflex and have gone nuts over it. i have done every thing possible to do to one. full custom bodykit the lot no off the shelf bits, no expense spared the time has come for the little 1.4 to move on so im onthe search for a 20.16v zx i cant get enough of them do u know of any minters around and would u know of any possible buyers of my own pics of it can be seen at cruisewales.com look for gareths citroen zx. mail me back 4 a chat. keep it real!!!

• tecw on 19th Aug 2003

  in response to original post....
  I TOO HAVE HAD A FEW GTIS AND GTES... THEY R SLOW COMPARED TO MY MI16 CONVERTED ZX VOLCANE.
  190BHP N/A 16V STARTED OUT IN A BX WITH 160BHP.
  
  0-60 in 6.5 secs and 145 top speed. 160bhp
  standard however mine has been increased to 203.
  IM PUZZLED. I HAVE ESTIMATED 190BHP WITH 0-60 IN 5 SECONDS (RECORDED). THE 16V ZX IS A CAST BLOCK NOT ALLY RIGHT? 145 BHP IN THE BOOK.SO HOW DO U GET 160BHP STANDARD?
  
  
  Abit thirsty but what can u expect.
  I GET ABOUT 325MILES TO A TANK OF OPTIMAX HALF SENSIBLE DRIVING AND HALF FOOT TO THE FLOOR.
  Some problems with the electric windows failing
  MINE DID TOO! WAS SWITCHES!
  Spares are expensive but easily available from other sources and some peugeot parts are the same. I do get miffed when people think it's the volcane model. The difference between them is the 2.0 16v has side skirts and different alloys and a nice little 2.0i badge on the front wing. Do not try one of these on as if you do you will probably no definately lose out....
  
  THE VOLCANES EXHUAST IS SMALLER BORE THAN THE PUT 205 GTI, ALSO ID SAY THE ECU LIMITS ITS PERFORMANCE MAKEING THE VOLCANE A RESTRICTED VERSION OF THE 1.9GTI?
  
  FOR THE GUY WITH THE 1.4 REFLEX... GO SALVAGE A CRASH DAMAGED MI16 OR BX 16V. MAKE SURE ITS TE EARLYER MODEL WITH THE LIGHTER ALLY BLOCK AND 160BHP AS OPPOSED TO THE 145 CAST BLOCK.
  
  BY THE WAY WHAT MODS IN YR 16V MATE? MAIL ME THE SPECS AND LOCATION... THANX.
  
  TOM.WALTERS2@NTLWORLD.COM

• Bungle3 on 3rd Oct 2003

  I own a Zx 1.4i temptation on a 97 R plate. I was impressed with the spec of the model [full electrics as standard] - but am a wee bit disappointed with the performance...hence my interest in the 2.oi 16v.
  
  My mate has the standard 2.oi - and doesnt seem very impressed [his previous car was a Pug 1.9 GTI]
  
  So, until I can afford the necessary engine transplant [the 16v models seem so rare] - I was wondering where I can source some top-notch gear to make my ZX look good for the mo? Any ideas would be gratefully received - mattpassmore1980@hotmail.com

• morts on 8th Nov 2003

  The zx was fitted with three engines.
  
  1. launched in 1993 with a 150bhp engine(citroen made a boo-boo and couldn't get it up to 155bhp as they wanted.
  
  2. engine replaced in 1994 with 155bhp unit (although i have seen some 150bhp 1994 models).
  
  3. In 1996 the zx was given the 167bhp unit fitted to the peugeot gti-6.
  
  I'm trying to find out how easy it is to put the later engine with its management system in the older car, can anyone help?
  
  I'm probably going to have a go anyway when i buy one because ones with less than 90,000miles are like gold dust.

• macca on 26th Nov 2003

  I have a P'reg 167bhp version and love it. It is mint.Does anyone know the official 0-60 for this version? My estimates vary. I have a copy of 92 car magazine and the original 150bhp says 8.5. Does anyone have figures on how many were supplied to the UK? I've only ever seen 3 on the road. I've seen more Lotus Carltons!
  
  I've seen off some much more fancied cars; GTI's, my brothers 2.5 V6 cougar, even an FTO.

• morts on 3rd Dec 2003

  About 7 seconds according to various french and english sites i've seen and as far as i know the 0-60 time for the 150bhp one is 7.9 in the hands of the right driver!

• louis1 on 25th Jan 2004

  Hi i have a xantia 3.0 v6 how would my car car stack up against a zx 16v because I like them

• macca on 26th Jan 2004

  The 0-60 'listed' figures would suggest that you'd be left behind. 'Listed' top speed is the same though you'd need a track day to prove it! I would imagine the 'hot hatch' set up in the zx would also mean the Xantia would be whooped on corners. Another great french car budget secret though. How does the v6 sound? Is it the same engine as in the 406?

• james ryan on 1st Dec 2006

  Help!! I'm looking for a 2.0 ltr 16v Citroen ZX, and I can't seem to find any for sale. Does anyone have any tips of where to look??