Citroen C3 Review 2026

June 2016

New Citroen C3 revealed

New C3 features a two-tier front light signature synonymous with Citroen. Double chrome strips extend from the chevrons and go all the way across to the LED daytime running lights. The protective front bumper blends into the rest of the bodywork to enhance the sense of height and width at the front for a ‘go-anywhere’ look and feel. The fog lights even feature stylish coloured surrounds.

3,990mm long x 1,750mm wide x 1,470mm high on 2,540mm wheelbase.

In profile, the black windscreen pillars and floating roof accentuate the dynamic outline of New C3. The car’s protective character is evident in the balanced proportions between the body panels and the glazed areas. The horizontal styling features on the sides of the car continue the deliberately high bonnet line, producing a reassuring posture, and the wheel arches are fitted with extensions for a crossover appearance. At the rear, the generously sized, muscular wings give the car a dynamic appearance, an impression accentuated by the very short overhang.

The Airbump panels (air-filled bumps with a scratch-proof surface, as seen on C4 Cactus) are a Citroen signature feature, offering personality and style, as well as protecting the vehicle. The thermoplastic polyurethane material used in the Airbump panels resists everyday degradation, protecting them from sunlight, water, scratches etc. Each panel positions a line of air-filled bumps at the bottom of the doors to protect the most vulnerable areas of the car in the urban environment. The Airbump panels also have a white or red graphic motif, depending on the version.

The customer has a choice of finishes inside the cabin. Some elements can be painted, wrapped with textile or TEP lining (with or without over-stitching) and finished with chrome or coloured touches. The finish is always designed to perfectly match the seat material.

The seats, integral to on-board wellbeing, have a uniquely wide and generous design, which amplifies the impression of space and comfort. This is further enhanced by the use of bright, warm materials.

With a total of nine body colours (Polar White, Perla Nera Black, Shark Grey, Arctic Steel, Ruby Red, Almond Green, Cobalt Blue, Power Orange and Soft Sand) and three roof colours (Opal White, Onyx Black and Sport Red), there are a total of 36 possible combinations, giving New C3 a fresh, modern look.

The exterior offers a range of two-tone paint options, with the three roof colours accompanied by matching touches around the car (fog lights, door mirrors, rear quarter panels and on the Airbump® panels).

Buyers can select from four possible interior designs. These are -

• Standard Ambience – uncluttered and neutral with yellow over-stitched upholstery.
• Metropolitan Grey Ambience – a warm and bright alternative, with soft colours and textiles, on the dashboard trim as well as the seat upholstery.
• Urban Red Ambience – a combination of dark and bright colours. The dashboard trim features red over-stitching and a red dashboard surround.
• Hype Colorado Ambience – features soft upmarket materials and special upholstery for a colour-contrast effect, and a two-tone leather-covered steering wheel.

Particularly agile thanks to its 10.7m turning circle, the 5-door, 5-seat New C3 measures just 3.99m long.

As well as Mirrorlink and Apple Car Play, the C3 has a built-in GPS connected forward camera. With a 120-degree field of view, full HD and 16Gb capacity, this allows the driver to record journeys, take photographs and, more importantly, automatically secures 30 seconds of video before a bump and 60 seconds afterwards.

January 2018

Citroen C3 Elle launched

The model features original touches of colour in Cherry Pink, a special roof graphic and the ELLE logo on the front doors. Prices start at £15,595.

Features include a a Polar White body colour with an exclusive Soft Sand two-tone roof as standard, Gloss Black door mirrors and original touches of colour in Cherry Pink, which accentuates the fog light surrounds, Airbump and rear quarter-light graphic.

It also gets a badge with the ELLE logo on the front doors and a special central roof graphic underlining the potential for personalisation plus an exclusive interior ambiance that continues the Cherry Pink accents, visible on the stitching of the grey seat upholstery and on the dashboard surround

Extras include ConnectedCAM Citroën, Citroën Connect Nav, Citroën Connect Box with Emergency & Assistance system, Active Safety Brake, Driver Attention Alert, Collision Risk Alert and Intelligent Beam Headlights.

February 2020

Updated Citroen C3 revealed

Citroen has revealed a facelifted version of its C3 with new lights, refreshed alloy wheels and no fewer than 97 colour combinations.

Inside, there are new Citroen Advanced Comfort seats - similar to those used in the C5 Aircross - as well as a front armrest, offered for the first time. The brand says its interior nods to Scandinavian furniture with soft-touch materials, special stitching and even wooden dashboard trim.

A number of driving assistance features are also available including front parking sensors - another first.

The C3's seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system remains, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard.

The engine line-up will also remain the same, including a three-cylinder PureTech petrol with 83 or 110PS, and a 100PS BlueHDi diesel.

Orders will open for the updated C3 in April 2020 with customer deliveries from June.

June 2020

Orders open for updated Citroen C3 with prices from £16,280

The updated Citroen C3 is now available to order in the UK, with prices starting from £16,280 and first customer deliveries expected in August.

Available in three trim levels, ‘Feel’, ‘Flair’ and ‘Flair Plus’, standard equipment includes Airbump door panels, EcoLED headlights, 3D rear lights, a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, automatic air conditioning, cruise control and speed limiter, lane departure warning, speed sign recognition and recommendation, and Coffee Break Alert.

In addition to ‘Feel’ specification, ‘Flair’ models – starting from £17,330, come with 16-inch ‘Hellix’ diamond-cut alloy wheels, bi-tone roof and colour coordinated door mirrors, automatic headlights and rear parking sensors.

The range-topping ‘Flair Plus’ trim is priced from £18,730 and features 17-inch ‘Vector’ diamond-cut alloys, Citroën Connect Nav with three-years of TomTom Live updates, Advanced Comfort seats, Active Safety Brake, Driver Attention Alert, Intelligent Beam Headlights, Assistance & SOS, and a reversing camera.

The interior of the updated C3 comes with new materials and features too. For example, the new ‘Techwood’ ambience comes as standard on ‘Flair Plus’ models – with soft-touch materials and special stitching, and a dashboard finished with a ‘light wood’ appearance, coordinated with striped detailing on the seats. Providing yet more choice, a no-cost ‘Emerald’ ambience is also available on ‘Flair Plus’ models – with ‘Emerald’ detailing on the dashboard facia and a matching thick stripe on the front seat backrests and on the outer rear seats.

New C3 buyers can also equip their vehicles with Citroën’s Advanced Comfort seats, which are available as standard on all ‘Flair Plus’ models. These generously proportioned seats – which feel almost like an armchair – provide enhanced comfort, both visually, and in terms of posture and lumbar support (adjustable on the driver's side).

Drivers have a choice of efficient petrol and diesel engines. The entry-level ‘Feel’ trim features the petrol PureTech 83 S&S manual powertrain, while ‘Flair’ and ‘Flair Plus’ models feature the same PureTech 83 S&S unit, or additional choices as follows:

• PureTech 110 S&S 6-speed manual
• PureTech 110 S&S EAT6 automatic
• BlueHDi 100 S&S manual

MODEL RANGE AND PRICING

October 2020

Petrol Citroen C3 range sees CO2 cut

Citroen has announced reductions of between 3 and 7g/km of CO2 across the C3 PureTech 3-cylinder petrol engine range.

Available on the updated Citroen C3 from October 2020 production, the developments comprise new batteries on versions equipped with a manual gearbox, with the entry-level PureTech 83 Stop and Start manual also receiving a new alternator to further optimise efficiency. In addition to this, all new C3 PureTech petrol models will also benefit from a fuel consumption meter as standard fitment ahead of the January 2021 regulations that see their installation become mandatory.

Pricing remains unchanged with prices starting from £16,280. For company car drivers, the lower CO2 emissions result in BIK tax band reductions of up to 2% – as an example, this reduces the monthly tax bill of a 40% tax payer by over £140 in the 2021-22 period (when driving a Flair Plus PureTech 83 S&S manual).

December 2020

Updated Citroen C3 range priced from £15,105

The Citroen C3 is available to order now with a choice of four new trim levels: ranging from the entry-level ‘Sense’ through to mid-spec ‘Shine’ and ‘C-Series’ models, finishing with range-topping ‘Shine Plus’ versions.

Entry-level ‘Sense’ models enjoy a host of standard features, including Airbump® panels, LED headlights, a seven-inch capacitive touchscreen, Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto, automatic air conditioning, six airbags, lane departure warning, speed sign recognition, coffee break alert and power folding door mirrors.

‘Shine’ models go further, with an Onyx Black bi-tone roof, 16-inch ‘Hellix’ alloy wheels, automatic lights and wipers, and rear parking sensors.

‘Shine Plus’ versions will leave supermini drivers wanting for nothing, with standard equipment including 17-inch ‘Vector’ alloy wheels, dark tinted rear windows, Citroën Connect Nav, Advanced Comfort front seats, driver’s armrest, Active Safety Brake, Driver Attention Alert and a reversing camera.

‘C-Series’ models sit above the ‘Sense’ and ‘Shine’ trim levels, but come with a lower retail price. ‘C-Series’ models also boast bespoke exterior and interior styling cues, including ‘C-Series’ badges on the front doors and an exclusive interior ambience.

Prices for New C3 start from just £13,980 in ‘C-Series’ trim, with Airbump® side panels, a seven-inch capacitive touchscreen with Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto, cruise control, video-based lane departure warning and speed sign recognition and recommendation. ‘Shine’ and ‘Shine Plus’ models offer customers a choice of fuel type, power output and gearbox. ‘Sense’ and ‘C-Series’ models are available with the most popular PureTech 83 stop and start manual only.

December 2020

Citroen C3 C-Series priced from £13,980

Standard paint comes in the form of ‘Soft Sand’ metallic, with a choice of four additional colours available at an extra cost (Polar White, Perla Nera Black, Cumulus Grey and Platinum Grey) of between £275 and £545.

Power comes in the form of Citroen’s 1.2-litre PureTech 83 petrol engine mated to a five-speed manual gearbox, delivering CO2 emissions of 124g/km.

Standard exterior equipment includes 16-inch Matrix bi-tone wheels, Airbump panels on the doors, a new Anodised Deep Red colour pack with colour detailing on the fog light surrounds and Airbump panels, gloss black door-mirrors and a bi-tone Onyx Black roof.

C-Series models also feature LED headlights, LED daytime running lights, a 3D rear light-signature and front fog lights and, for added style, dark tinted rear and tailgate windows. For enhanced comfort and convenience, C-Series models enjoy automatic headlights, automatic air conditioning, coffee break alert, lane departure warning, cruise control, speed sign recognition and recommendation, as well as rear parking sensors – all as standard.

Infotainment hasn’t been overlooked either, with new C3 C-Series models enjoying a seven-inch touchscreen, Apple Carplay, Android Auto, DAB Radio and USB all as standard.

In addition to the Anodised Deep Red colour pack, C3 C-Series models can also be identified by special badges on the front doors, a bespoke interior ambience and branded carpet mats.

October 2021

Updated Citroen C3 range priced from £14,180

Citroen UK has revealed updates to its C3 line-up, with a rationalised and re-structured range available from October 2021 production. With prices starting from £14,180 OTR, Citroën C3 now provides customers with a more streamlined series of trim and engine variants.

The updated Citroen C3 range sees the ‘Shine’ trim level depart the range, whilst the recently introduced and popular ‘Saint James’ trim moves to a more prominent position in the C3 line-up. This change provides buyers with a strong customer advantage, with ‘Saint James’ models enjoying a significant uplift in specification versus the outgoing ‘Shine’ trim for a modest £400 additional outlay.

With a distinctive look, Citroen C3 ‘Saint James’ is a proud illustration of the brand’s French heritage, taking inspiration from the Saint James clothing brand that was founded in 1889 and celebrating the artisan traditions of north-west France.

Available with a choice of PureTech 83 S&S manual or PureTech 110 S&S 6-speed automatic petrol powertrains, Citroen C3 ‘Saint James’ enjoys a wealth of standard specification over and above the outgoing ‘Shine’ trim. Standard equipment includes sumptuous Advanced Comfort seats, featuring broad cushions and cossetting seat backs. The design combines high-density foam at the heart of each seat, a thick, textured foam on the surface and a carefully selected blend of soft fabric and leather-effect materials to ensure optimum comfort on any journey.

C3 ‘Saint James’ also offers design features that are unique within the C3 range, including an exclusive ‘Saint James’ exterior styling pack with logos and a ‘Saint James’ roof decal, a soft touch dashboard facia and bespoke carpet mats. Other features offered over and above outgoing ‘Shine’ models include a leather-covered steering wheel, reversing camera, dark tinted windows and 16-inch ‘Hellix’ bi-tone diamond cut alloy wheels.

Citroen C3 ‘Saint James’ is joined in the line-up by ‘Sense’, ‘C-Series’ and ‘Shine Plus’ models, with the ‘Shine’ trim level no longer available.

Pricing for the revised Citroen C3 range starts from just £14,180 MRRP OTR.

April 2022

Citroen C3 You! priced from £12,995

Citroen UK updated its popular C3 supermini line-up with the addition of a new entry-level model priced from £12,995.

Following the removal of the Citroën C1 city car from the range earlier this year, the C3 You! offers buyers – who may have previously considered C1 – an alternative model that delivers additional benefits, including space for five occupants, a larger boot and a more powerful engine. Available exclusively via the online Citroën Store, C3 You! is another example of Citroën’s ‘Fair Pricing’ policy, which aims to provide more transparent pricing and convenient ways of buying a new car.

All C3 You! models are generously equipped with key features for drivers and passengers. Standard equipment includes LED headlights, body-coloured bumpers and door handles, Bluetooth® connectivity, a five-inch central touchscreen and DAB digital radio.

Standard safety equipment includes Hill Start Assist, tyre pressure monitoring, a video-based lane departure warning system and speed sign recognition and recommendation. C3 YOU! also comes with cruise control and speed limiter, as well as a ‘Coffee Break Alert’ feature to ensure the safety and comfort of everyone on-board on longer journeys.

C3 You! maintains the distinctive look of a Citroen C3, in this case with a White Colour Pack, a matt black finish on the B-pillars and chrome around the LED daytime running lights.

Exclusively available with a 1.2-litre three-cylinder PureTech 83 petrol engine, the C3 You! achieves up to 54mpg (WLTP).

With an ‘On The Road’ price of only £12,995, the C3 YoU! is the most affordable Citroën passenger car available in the UK. The Citroen C3 model range in the UK now consists of five trim levels: YOU!, Sense, C-Series, Saint James and Shine Plus.

Previously, the most affordable C3 in the UK range was in ‘Sense’ trim with the same PureTech 83 petrol engine – priced from £16,260 MRRP OTR.

April 2022

Updated Citroen C3 C-Series priced from £17,000

The new C3 ‘C-Series Edition’ models come as standard with distinctive 16-inch ‘Matrix’ alloy wheels, dark-tinted rear windows, as well as a contrasting bi-tone roof in either black or white. As with all ‘C-Series Edition’ models, C3 ‘C-Series Edition’ features a characteristic Anodised Bronze Colour Pack with bronze detailing around the front fog lights and Airbump® capsules, plus ‘C-Series Edition’ badging on the front doors.

C3 ‘C-Series Edition’ models also feature electrically folding door mirrors, as well as rear parking sensors and a reversing camera. The Visibility Pack adds automatic headlights, automatic windscreen wipers and front fog lights. A seven-inch capacitive touchscreen features DAB digital radio, Bluetooth® functionality and comes standard with Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto.

C3 ‘C-Series Edition’ is available with either a 1.2-litre PureTech 83 petrol engine and a six-speed manual gearbox, or a 1.2-litre PureTech 110 petrol powerplant with a six-speed automatic gearbox. Prices start from £17,000.

May 2022

Citroen C3 Elle priced from £18,150

The new Citroen C3 Elle has a two-tone exterior as standard, with a choice of two roof colours – white or black. The model is available with a choice of five body colours (Soft Sand, Polar White, Cumulus Grey, Platinum Grey or Perla Nera Black) as well as a new Matt Silver Blue Colour Pack.

To make its mark, the new model also features the Elle brand signature – ‘Since 1945 & forever’ – across various elements of the vehicle, both inside and out.

The customisation continues inside. The main upholstery adorning the two-tone Advanced Comfort seats is ‘Light Prussian Grey’ fabric that brightens the interior, while selected elements are finished in a dark ‘Wind Grey Alcantara’. A screen-printed decorative strip, featuring a reinterpreted chevron pattern, offers bluish satin highlights to the upper part of the backrests.

For the first time, Alcantara appears on the C3 Elle dashboard trim. The Elle monogram appears in full on the floor mats, with a black ribbon featuring the white slogan.

The Citroen C3 Elle features a reversing camera and – perfect for the C3 Elle look – 17-inch’Vector’ diamond-cut alloy wheels, dark-tinted rear windows, a chrome surround around the digital instrument panel and a leather steering wheel, all of which are specified as standard.

The Citroen C3 Elle is powered either by a 1.2-litre PureTech 83 petrol engine with a six-speed manual gearbox or by a 1.2-litre PureTech 110 petrol mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.

The PureTech 83 manual is priced at £18,150 MRRP OTR, while the PureTech 110 automatic is £20,760 MRRP OTR.

August 2022

Citroen C3 Shine priced from £16,995

Citroen UK has added a new ‘Shine’ variant to its popular C3 line-up – the new trim offers customers even greater choice across a wide range of Citroen C3 models.

New Citroen C3 Shine is available with a choice of four body colours – Soft Sand, Cumulus Grey, Platinum Grey and Spring Blue – and features a contrasting ‘Onyx Black’ roof. The new variant also comes with a black Colour Pack, featuring black inserts in the lower part of the front bumper and Airbump® panels with white highlights, whilst the gloss black dashboard with a grey surround, brings enhanced style for the driver and passengers alike.

Owners benefit from a range of on-board technologies and connected features, including Citroen Connect DAB Radio, six speakers, a 7-inch capacitive touchscreen, Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto, plus Bluetooth® hands free compatibility. New Citroen C3 Shine also comes with keyless entry and start, front foglights, an alarm, as well as heated and electric folding exterior door mirrors – all designed to make life on the road even easier.

For added safety, Citroen C3 Shine features a lane departure warning system, speed sign recognition and recommendation, and cruise control with speed limiter – all as standard. Additional features, such as rear parking sensors and a coffee break alert function allow drivers to travel with complete peace-of-mind.

Available with 16-inch ‘Hellix’ diamond-cut alloy wheels, this new Citroen C3 Shine is powered by the popular and efficient 1.2-litre PureTech 110 S&S petrol engine, paired with an EAT6 six-speed automatic gearbox.

Customers will order their new Citroen C3 Shine edition exclusively online via the Citroen Store, with prices starting from £16,995.