Citroen C3 Review

While the old Citroen C3 looked rounded and cuddly, this new one is a lot more chiselled and lean. But it still manages to look approachable, not aggressive, even with its new SUV-inspired styling and boxy stance.

A lot has changed under the bonnet, too. There’s no longer an entry-level non-turbo engine with cheap insurance costs, so you’ll have to look to the older model if that’s a top priority. And there’s no diesel engine any more – it’s been replaced by a much more fashionable mild-hybrid petrol.

For the first time, there’s also a fully electric C3. We’ve reviewed the Citroen e-C3 separately, but the top line is that the e-C3 is one of the cheapest electric cars you can buy – thanks to a modestly sized battery.

Whether you’re after a petrol or battery-powered C3, there are plenty of great superminis to compare it against. The C3’s stiffest competition comes from within; the mechanically related Fiat Grande Panda offers the same engines and parts in a more eye-catching, fun way – and prices are similar. You might also consider the Citroen C3 Aircross, which is basically a roomier C3 and isn’t much more expensive, especially if you’re paying monthly.

If you're more interested in the older C3, read our used Citroen C3 review.

The C3 is a cheap car and you’ll spot some cost-saving measures, such as the quality of the door cards and a traditional ignition barrel that you’ll need to put the key into. But a few choice materials and textures stop the C3 feeling miserable inside – instead, it feels quite youthful.

There’s a slim screen beneath the windscreen for all your driving info, and this is perfectly placed. The touchscreen is similarly sensible, and it’s been stripped back to the essentials (like wireless Apple CarPlay) to make it really easy to use. Physical buttons and an easy way to turn off some of the driver assistance add a refreshing simplicity – which you might absolutely want in a world of big screens being used for even basic functions.

Citroen’s heavy focus on comfort is evident in the squidgy seats, which feel soft and inviting but still have enough support for your body.

The Citroen C3 fits a lot in. Even though it’s only a whisker over four metres long – making it easy to wiggle into a tight parking spaces – you get plenty of passenger space and a decent-sized boot.

There’s more rear-seat space than in the majority of cars this size, so you can fit an average sized adult behind another one with relative ease.

If you need more passenger space or more boot space than the 310 litres on offer in the C3, go for the bigger C3 Aircross.

Unless you want a fully electric Citroen e-C3, your C3 will have a 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine. But there are two to pick from: a 100hp entry-level model with a manual gearbox, or a hybrid model with an automatic gearbox.

Even the standard petrol model is said to manage 52mpg (it’s a very light car by modern standards), while the hybrid improves that to 59mpg. You’ll pay more for the hybrid in the first place, but its automatic gearbox also makes it the best choice for rush hour traffic.

The C3 is all about comfort – if you’re after a sporty driving experience, you’ll want to look elsewhere. Citroen’s approach is perfect for UK roads, because the C3 is soft over bumps and cracks. It’s comfortable around town and on the motorway.

With a soft suspension setup and a fairly high, SUV-like stance, the C3 does exhibit body roll in fast corners. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, and it reminds you that you’ll get the best out of the C3 if you drive it smoothly.