MOTORING REVIEW: New Citroen C3 is big improvement on previous model

Citroën launched its fourth-generation C3 last summer, as a more modern, assertive design that resembles an SUV rather than the traditional hatchback. It is likely to attract a broader audience thanks to its spaciousness, affordability, comfort, and range of powertrains. The model is particularly significant for the French car manufacturer, accounting for 30 per cent of its sales - the previous version sold around 5.6 million units. 

C3 competes in the market space also occupied by the Hyundai i20, Toyota Yaris, Citroen’s own e-C3, Hyundai’s Inster and the Dacia Spring. 

While it maintains the same 4.01m footprint as before, the new model is almost 100mm taller at 1.57m, making it taller than rivals. The generous wheelbase allows for a roomy second row. Ground clearance has been increased from 135mm to 197mm. 

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At the front, the fascia incorporates a large oval ‘chevron’ logo, new front and rear light designs, and new taillight clusters that extend into the corners. My car was in a nice shade of blue with a contrasting black roof and roof rails. Fun elements are the coloured strips that provide contrasting accents along the car's exterior. It’s a good looker, to be sure. 

The cabin of this five-seater is simple and welcoming, creating a pleasant space to spend time, especially on long journeys, with extra legroom, headroom, and elbow room. 

Seating is now significantly elevated, allowing everyone a better view and the driver a more commanding driving position. Citroën is renowned for comfort, and this C3 features progressive hydraulic cushion suspension. The car also has the brand's Advanced Comfort seats. 

The dashboard conveys a sense of width, while the absence of a traditional instrument cluster is quite a novelty. Instead, you find a display positioned between the top of the dashboard and the bottom of the windscreen. This allows the driver to easily view all key information without taking their eyes off the road. 

A well-sized 10.25-inch colour touchscreen infotainment system is user-friendly and compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Below are three large knobs for climate control, eliminating the need to navigate through screen menus.

My car had a traditional pull-up hand brake and no front armrest. The cubbies included large front door bins - cheerful in white - a small glovebox, and two cupholders. In the back, passengers have wind-up rear windows and handy pockets on the front seat backs for small items. There's a high transmission tunnel for the person in the middle seat to work their feet around. Boot space is 310 litres, decent for the class, and can be expanded to over 900 litres with the 60/40 split rear seats folded down.

My Plus version lacked a rearview camera or blind-spot monitors. But it did have front LED headlamps, 17-inch alloys, auto wipers, power-folding and heated door mirrors, rear parking sensors, air conditioning, C-type USBs at the front and rear, Hill Start Assist, a manual child lock and six airbags. 

If I were buying the car, I’d choose the higher Max grade for an extra €1,750, which includes LED rear lights, heated windscreen, front fog lights, navigation, heated steering wheel and front seats, wireless smartphone charger, and, most importantly, a reversing camera. 

Powertrains include petrol, hybrid, and all-electric (BEV) options. My car was fitted with a 1.2 turbo petrol engine producing 100hp, paired with a 6-speed manual gearbox. Accelerating from 0-100 km/h takes around 10.6 seconds, and the claimed combined fuel consumption of 5.6 L/100 km was accurate, as I averaged 5.5 L/100 km over various routes during my time with the car. This is a quiet and eager engine, and the car’s compact size makes it very nimble for parking in town.  

This new generation of the model hasn’t yet been tested by Euro NCAP. The C3 is built in Europe at the Stellantis plants in Serbia and Slovakia.

The 100hp petrol is competitively priced at €23,900. The all-electric e:C3 has the same starting price.