Car Test
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R0253 | |
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July 2002 |
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| Citroën C3 | ||
| Printer Friendly Page | Featured model: 1.6 Exclusive 5door | |
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Jostled by several equally new rivals, Citroën’s latest supermini, unlike it stablemates, isn’t a cut-price alternative – well not as yet. So what does it offer that the likes of the new Polo, Fiesta and Jazz lack?
In the guise tested, it certainly offers an impressive turn of speed, with reasonable mechanical manners. The gears aren’t as super-smooth as a Polo’s or as switch-like as a Jazz’s, but Citroën has certainly come up with much improved seating. This includes a commanding driving position and even higher cushions than in a Peugeot 307 – almost MPV-like. Your osteopath is going to be happier with the C3’s driving position than with several other current Peugeot and Citroëns. There’s a full range of adjusters, as well, including wheel reach and rake plus seat height for both front occupants. Practical accommodation in this higher-than-average hatchback includes lots of sensible oddments spots, a “Moduboard” arrangement – of dubious value – in the rear load area and rear head restraints that recede out of the driver’s rear view when nobody’s sitting there. The Exclusive’s self-folding door mirrors are a nice touch, but even the SX shares its velour upholstery. Curiously, however, the C3’s rear cushions are fixed, so folding the backrests results in a stepped load platform – albeit a well-trimmed one. The rear load sill is very prominent, too, but load depth is good – even though a full-sized spare is below it. For the rear passengers, kneeroom is the limiting dimension, but if you’re not too lanky, it’s a really comfortable seat. The C3’s road manners pass muster because the steering, cornering attitude and bump-suppression are all adequate. Overall, however, the C3 lacks the fluency and poise of a Polo or a Skoda Fabia. We were also disappointed with the brakes. The SX and Exclusive add brake-assist, which boosts servo-assistance in an abrupt arrest. However, it goes “over the top” and a clutch-like 10kg pedal load, even applied unhurriedly, got the ABS working. The C3 lacks progression, for controlled braking. On a more mundane note, we dislike the full climate control on the Exclusive – it delivers inconsistently from side to side and can cause stuffiness or cold legs, as you jiggle with the temperature control to achieve (in vain) the ideal compromise. We would be happier with the SX’s simpler system. |
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