Citroen C3 Review

How much does it cost?

The Citroen C3 was always one of the better value superminis on sale, and undercut most of its nearest rivals. That was especially true in 2022 when the French firm created a special You model that was initially only available online through Citroen's website, and was one of the cheapest superminis money could buy. Unsurprisingly for a car that was reasonably priced when new, used prices are now extremely affordable. Prices start at around £3,000 on platforms like AA Cars, but these are for the oldest examples with high mileages. You should budget around £5,000 for a car with around 50,000 miles in a mid to high level of specification. Alternatively, if you desire the newer styling of the post-2020 cars, you should set aside around £9,000. The newest examples with around 10,000 miles on the clock are at the £12,000 mark.

Engine and performance

Overview

It's very simple to get your head around the Citroen C3's engine line-up – three petrols and two diesels. The petrols were the most popular in the UK, and come in PureTech 68, 83 and 110 guises. All utilised a 1.2-litre, three-cylinder engine – naturally-aspirated on the 67bhp and 82bhp versions, while the 109bhp '110' is boosted with a turbocharger and is also used in a wide variety of other Citroens, Peugeots and Vauxhalls. The 1.6-litre, four-cylinder BlueHDi diesel comes in 74bhp and 99bhp forms, and are a good option for those who crave outright fuel economy. Citroen claimed fuel economy could reach the dizzy heights of 67mpg, putting it on par with hybrids like the Toyota Prius. Gearbox choices are five- and six-speed manuals, plus a six-speed automatic for the 110 petrol. The diesels and the 110 petrol also have stop/start technology, boosting fuel economy.

Out on the road

Unsurprisingly, the petrols are the zestiest of the lot, particularly the PureTech 110, but you'd hardly call them quick. The naturally-aspirated PureTech 68 and 83 have to be worked pretty hard to get the most out of them, and the five-speed gearboxes are not the most pleasurable to use, feeling loose and imprecise. The six-speed automatic available later in the 110 petrol is a little jerky, too, and isn’t the smoothest of its type. The more powerful and turbocharged 110 is the best bet for motorway driving, as are the diesels. That said, all of the petrols feel strong enough for normal driving, and are punchy around town. It’s easy to get a comfortable driving position in the C3, and the engines are a perfect match for the car’s easy-going character.

Ride and handling

While rivals like the Ford Fiesta and SEAT Ibiza focused on delivering driver thrills, the C3 concentrated on giving maximum comfort behind the wheel. That includes super-comfy seats and soft suspension to deal with the worst of the UK's potholed roads, with the C3 gliding over road imperfections while rivals clatter over them. The trade-off is soft body control. On twisty roads, the C3 tends to roll around a lot more than other superminis, and the car doesn’t encourage you to drive it hard. It grips safely enough, though, but there's little fun to be had. The C3 has pretty light steering, exacerbating the low fun-factor. But this does mean that it's very easy to drive around town, and makes light work of tight parking spaces. Interior and Features

Interior and features

Interiors

When it arrived in 2016, the third-generation C3 had a refreshingly different interior from its rivals, with it offering plenty of colour and material choices – a nice change from many superminis' preference for simple, dark-coloured cabins. Top-spec models like Flair Plus, Shine and the special edition cars took this to the next level with the ability to personalise the interior, and came with extra design touches. The driving position is a little higher in the C3 compared to cars like the Volkswagen Polo and Hyundai i20, which gives a great view out. The seats are also very soft and comfortable, with later facelift cars coming with what Citroen calls 'Advanced Comfort' seats. These added some extra cushioning, improving back and hip support on long journeys. The infotainment system is relatively easy to use, and has a row of buttons, including a knob for the volume. It's a little dated now, though, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto phone connectivity was present from 2017 onwards. Special base-spec You cars get a smaller monochrome screen.

Boot space and practicality

The C3 only comes as a five-door hatchback and provides decent space for four adults. A tall roofline gives good headroom, although this takes a little hit with models fitted with the optional panoramic sunroof. There's a good level of space up front with plenty of seat adjustment, but knee room in the back is a little limited – especially if the front passengers are tall and they've slid their seats backwards. Meanwhile, fitting three in the back will be a bit of a tight squeeze. Boot space is a very decent 300 litres, which beats most rivals, and the tailgate reveals a wide opening and a low load lip. Rear seats fold in 60/40 fashion and give a relatively flat loading area.

Features

Citroen liked to chop and change the trim structure throughout the third-generation C3's eight-year life. But, generally speaking, most buyers opted for the mid-level Feel and fancier Flair, Shine and Max models, and these are the most popular on platforms such as AA Cars. Feel brought air conditioning and the seven-inch touchscreen with smartphone connectivity, while higher level cars had greater opportunities for personalisation. Customers could pick from 36 exterior combinations, choosing from an array of roof colours, Airbump (the padded panels on the doors) designs, and interior finishes. There was even the option to spec items like a 'ConnectedCam' dash-cam system integrated into the rear-view mirror. Citroen also lavished the C3 with limited editions, including a super-cheap and paired-back You model, and high-spec Elle and Saint James specials.

Trim and colour options

Citroen offered the C3 in a variety of trim levels of the car's lifetime, but most used examples are the Feel, Flair and Max models as these were the most popular when the car was new. These cars get air conditioning and a seven-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto phone connectivity, while higher spec cars come in an assortment of colours with almost MINI-levels of personalisation. On some cars, there was even the option to choose a wood-looking trim for the dashboard. Look out for the special editions like the Elle and Saint James as these offered extra luxuries and styling touches, while You cars were stripped-back run-out models.

Safety and reliability

Independent crash testers Euro NCAP gave the C3 a four-star rating in 2017. It meant the C3 trailed some other rivals, but still offered a good level of safety. It scored 88 per cent and 83 per cent for adult occupant protection and child occupant protection, respectively, and average scores for safety systems. Autonomous emergency braking was later a standard-fit item, which was partly responsible for the original low score. The C3 has proved to be a pretty reliable supermini, ranking decently in industry reliability surveys. Look for well-maintained examples, particularly with high-mileage PureTech petrols, and evidence of proper servicing and proof of timing belt inspections and/or replacements.

MPG, emissions and tax

The C3 can be a cheap-to-run option for those looking for a used supermini. The PureTech 82 was the most efficient petrol, managing over 50mpg, but the 110 isn't too far behind. It should easily return in the mid-40s in everyday use. Naturally, the diesels are the most frugal, with well over 60mpg being entirely achievable. But, like with all superminis, you have to balance the diesels' higher fuel economy with the fact that diesel is a more expensive option at the pumps. When it comes to CO2, all engines emit pretty low figures at 100–130 g/km. The earliest C3s will cost between £20 and £195 VED, but cars registered after 2017 will have a flat rate of £195.