Citroen C3 (2010 – 2017) Review

Citroen C3 (2010 – 2017) Verdict

Neat looking small hatchback. Uses some of the same engines as MINI. 1.6 HDi is the best in the range. Excellent ride quality.

Lacklustre handling. Interior looks good on the surface but lacks quality in depth.

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Citroen C3 (2010 – 2017) handling and engines

• Engines range from 1.0 Puretech 68 to 1.6 e-HDi Airdream 110
• Readers report Real MPG to be between 40–67 mpg

Apart from the 1.1 61PS and 1.4 75PS, C3 petrol engines are basically the same new chain-cam PSA lumps you'll find in a MINI or a Peugeot. And we are all very familiar with the 1.4 and 1.6HDIs found in almost every small European car these days.

Handling is generally very accomplished, marred only by steering that's a little too light, especially when overtaking a truck or a bus on a bend on one of Italy's narrow lane dual carriageways. Gearing is around 32mph per 1,000rpm in 5th, so it's a relaxed cruiser.

With its MINI Cooper engine, the 1.6VTi didn't feel like it had 120PS (just as a MINI Cooper and a Peugeot 207 with the same engine don't). But it's certainly smooth enough not to drone at its lower geared 4,000rpm 80mph cruise.

That said, I'd rather pay £13,800 for a VTR+ with the 90PS diesel than £14,600 for a 1.6VTi Exclusive. (Or rather less for either at a Citroen discount.)

Refreshingly, the new C3 is no heavier than the old one, and, at a mere 3,941mm, no longer. At under 13 feet, It's actually the shortest B2 Supermini, yet with 300 litres, has the largest boot.

In February 2010 you'll be able to buy most of the range, including a 1.6 ‘Airdream' diesel that emits just 99g/km CO2 and escapes being taxed. By March 2010 a 1.6VTi automatic and a 110PS 6-speed diesel (unfortunately with a DPF) will join the range. By 2011 there will be two diesels with stop/start systems and electronic gearbox systems emitting just 95 and 90 g/km. Later developments, by 2012, will include a new 3-cylinder petrol turbo emitting less than 100g/km.

Interestingly, in rebellion against EC legislators, Citroen rather proudly announced that the new car had achieved just a 4 star NCAP rating because to achieve 5 stars it would have had to be fitted with ESP.

I'm on Citroen's side here, having almost been killed by an ESP system in an Alfa Romeo in Morocco. What happens is that, up to a point, ESP helps prevent a car getting into a skid. But once a car is in a skid, it fights the driver's reaction. So if you get into a skid on ice, as you might well do this winter, it will usually be easier to drive out of it with ESP off than it will with ESP on.

Citroen C3 (2010 – 2017) interior

• Boot space is 300 litres
• Euro NCAP rating of four stars

What's immediately apparent as you settle behind the chunky steering wheel is what a nice dashboard you're faced with. The optional satnav screen is beautifully integrated, the dials are clear, the whole thing has an expensive feel you would not have expected in a supermini from Citroen.

The seat material, too (at least in the HDI 90 Exclusive we were driving) was a discreet form for velour, the seats themselves were comfortable enough to accommodate us for 150 miles without a twinge and the motor goes as well as it does in anything else it's fitted to. Happily a DPF is optional with this engine (so don't ask for trouble), and the CO2 is 110g/km so low enough for £35 VED this year, £20 VED next year, and also low enough for a company to write the whole car off against tax in the first year.

I'm not so sure about the Zenith ‘Visiodrive' windscreen. (Not available, incidentally, on VT and Airdream models.) Our drive back to Rome was into the sun and everyone on the trip I asked had shut the rooflining and turned down the sunvisors. Vauxhall/Opel tried something identical on the previous model Astra Sporthatch and promptly abandoned it. And what happens if you hit a cow, or an elk, or, heaven forbid, roll the car? How well will the screen pillars protect you? Citroen showed a film of how the screen stands up to a normal front-end collision, but, these days, you never know what's going to land on you.

So, while I like the idea of getting a suntan while I drive and being able to see traffic lights (I have the sublind on the glass roof of my FIAT 500 open most of the time), I wonder what value Citroen customers will put on the ‘Visiodrive' effect.

Nevertheless, any company wanting to put its employees into a low BIK, but high quality car with plenty of feelgood factor and the added benefit of being able to claim the whole cost against one year's tax should take a very close look at the C3 1.6HDI 90 Exclusive.

Citroen C3 (2010 – 2017) models and specs

On sale until April 2017

On sale until August 2015

On sale until April 2015

On sale until May 2014

On sale until December 2011