Citroen C3 Road Test Review: A curious French delight


They say the devil is in the details but they also say God is in the details. Whichever saying you may look at, it is clear that taking a closer look at something can reveal many aspects about it. At a quick glance, these qualities and attributes might be overlooked. If there’s one car these sayings apply to as of late, it’s the Citroën C3. At first glance, it can seriously impress you or leave you with a bad taste depending on where you might be looking. This is what I experienced along with several other people who inquired about the car during the three days I had it with me. So what are these hidden details I’m talking about, let’s find out!
Citroen C3 design and style

Citroen C3 front right

Let me get the obvious thing out of the way first, the C3 is a good looking car. Almost everyone who laid eyes on it, old or young, was impressed by the unique design philosophy, clean lines and commanding front end. The high position improves the vehicle’s presence on the road and fortunately Citroen is not adamant about calling it an SUV. They call it a sedan with a twist, that i can get behind.
The double slatted Citroen grille at the front and LED daytime running lights give the front of this car a nice look. Likewise, on the side, you have some clean lines running above the wheel arches and an option to get a two-tone roof. Overall, the C3 looks like a confident dude wearing a three-piece suit.

Citroen C3 left profile

Citroen C3 in profile

The only things that look a bit out of place are the steel wheels and halogen headlights. Both are functional but fail to match the aesthetics of the rest of the vehicle. Citroen offers alloy wheels as an option, but it seems strange that even when you buy the top-of-the-range model, you still have to pay extra for alloy wheels.

Citroen C3 rear left

Citreon C3 rear

Interior space and characteristics of Citroen C3

Citroen C3 interior dashboard

Citroën C3 interior

Move inside the cabin and you will find that Citroen has mainly stuck to the use of plastic on almost all surfaces. On paper that might sound like a bad thing, but the quality and finish of all panels is generally good. Kudos to the manufacturer for taking great care to create a cabin that feels solid to sit in. It also has a large 10-inch touchscreen equipped with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The screen is shorter in height and wider, something not seen in other vehicles. I suspected this would be troublesome to use, but was proven wrong. At no point did I question this unique aspect ratio of the screen and the operation was also smooth. Another thing I really liked was the factory fitted sound system. It had a rich sound that was also suitably loud. I feel it will be greatly appreciated by people who like to go on long journeys and listen to their favorite tunes.

Citroen C3 touchscreen infotainment display

Citroen C3 gets a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment display

Alas, the touchscreen is perhaps the most advanced equipment in the cabin. The C3 loses some crucial things like automatic climate control, a center armrest and an interior rear view mirror with any kind of dimming function. The digital instrument cluster is also nothing to write home about. It’s not like the fancy color displays we’ve seen in other cars, and it offers a limited amount of real estate.
One thing you need to keep in mind is that despite having an overall length of 3,981mm, the C3 has a wheelbase of 2,540mm. This makes it the car with the largest wheelbase in the segment and translates into ample interior roominess. Whether you sit in the back or in the front, you won’t complain about space. I’m 6 feet tall and have had no issues with the available headroom either. One odd thing here is the angle at which the front and rear doors open. The front doors are larger and open much further than the rear doors. While getting in and out of the back seat isn’t a problem, the difference between the two rows is noticeable. Boot space is an adequate 315 liters on the C3 and you can fit a good amount of your belongings.

Space in the trunk of the Citroen C3

Space in the trunk of the Citroen C3

Citroen C3 engine specifications and driving dynamics

Citroen C3 turbo petrol engine

The 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine of the Citroen C3

Citroen offers the C3 with two engine options and both are 1.2-litre three-cylinder units. However, one of them is a turbocharged unit while the other is naturally aspirated. I’ve had the punchier turbo-petrol model and spoiler alert, it’s a lot of fun! It is one of the most powerful engines that you can get for less than Rs 10 lakh. It literally made me smile as I turned the power down and I’m sure it will make you laugh too if you like to drive. With 108.5 HP and 190 Nm, this engine is more than enough for a car of this size. The C3 is quick enough off the line, but once you rev ​​it up and get the turbo in, it shoots like a rocket! The 6-speed manual gearbox that accompanies the engine also works well, but clutch action can be a little too aggressive. It took me a while to get used to the kick you get when releasing the clutch, especially in first and second gear. I feel this is something Citroen could look into a bit more. The sudden response might give you an initial false sense that the car is very fast, but it can get a little annoying in the long run. If you love automatics, you’ll need to look elsewhere as Citroen is currently selling the C3 with manual options only.

Citroen C3 transmission

Citroen C3 gets a 6-speed manual gearbox

One thing that pleasantly surprised me was the steering wheel response. For a car in this segment, it felt much more engaging than any of the other competitors and allowed me to position the car much more precisely. Citroen has found the perfect balance to prevent the steering from becoming too stiff at low speeds and provide adequate feedback as you speed up. It’s a similar story with the suspension setup as well. With its big brother, the C5 Aircross, known for its excellent ride quality, the C3 had big shoes to fill. I’m happy to report that the C3 lives up to expectations and gobbles up the undulations on the roads along with any speed breakers you may come across. And when you want to drive the wheels off the C3, it will conform and not swing like a pendulum.
Citroen C3 Prices and conclusion
Prices for the Citroen C3 start at Rs 5.88 lakh, but the turbo-petrol model starts at Rs 8.15 lakh. If you compare the interior characteristics of the C3 with other cars, it may not seem like a very attractive proposition. However, what you need to know is that the C3 can offer one of the best driving experiences in its segment. The turbo-petrol engine is a blast to drive, the steering wheel is precise and the suspension is the perfect companion for all the terrain you face on your daily commute. I was trying to avoid the words quirky and extravagant in this review, but I have to admit that the C3 has some quirks we associate with French cars, but beyond that, it’s a driver’s delight. If that’s something you’re eyeing, you’re sure to love the C3.



malek

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