Introduced in 1990, the ZX replaced the older GS lineup and received a mid-life cycle update in 1994, which brought more powerful engines and a refreshed styling.
The French carmaker built the GSA in 1970, and the model was so successful that its parent didn't want to give up on it. It produced it until 1986, and finally, it decided to take it out from the assembly lines to make room for the BX. Thus, it left a gap in its lineup between the small-sized AX and the mid-size BX. There, it fitted the ZX in 1990.
By 1994, the more conventional hatchback ZX already showed its age, and Citroen didn't want to go on a fresh market with an old front fascia. It changed it and introduced bigger headlights and smoother lines. Its grille was narrow and sported the company's badge on a horizontal slat. Depending on the trim level, it featured fog lights. The car showed three side windows in the five-door version, with a very raked-forward line for the last row.
Inside, it offered good interior room for its size, while the instrument panel showed more gauges than most of its competitors. The dashboard sported curved lines and, depending on the options, a new stereo-cassette player on the center stack. In the back, the ZX five-doors offered enough room for two adults, but if three were seated there, they had to be very close friends.
Under the hood, Citroen offered four engines for the five-door ZX, including a turbo-diesel. For specific markets, the carmaker offered a 2.0-liter engine and a four-speed automatic transmission.