Citroen C3 Aircross 2019 review
Content
- Does it represent good value for money? What functions does it have? 7/10
- Is there anything interesting about its design? 8/10
- How practical is the interior space? 7/10
- What are the main characteristics of the engine and transmission? 7/10
- How much fuel does it consume? 7/10
- What safety equipment is installed? What is the safety rating? 8/10
- How much does it cost to own? What kind of guarantee is provided? 6/10
- What is it like to drive? 8/10
- Verdict
- Is the C3 Aircross your choice in the small SUV segment? Tell us your thoughts in the comments section below.
Citroen has embarked on yet another restart in Australia, led by its entry into one of the most popular new car segments: small SUVs.
Aimed at competitors such as the Honda HR-V, Mazda CX-3 and Hyundai Kona, the C3 Aircross takes what we know about the brand like classy styling and combines it with actual practicality to create one of the most well-rounded small SUVs on the market.
It has been available in Europe for several years and is based on the PSA 'PF1' platform that also underpins the Peugeot 2008, and is available in Australia with only one model type/engine so far.
| Citroen C3 2020: Aircross Shine 1.2 P/Tech 82 | |
|---|---|
| Safety Rating | |
| engine's type | 1.2 L turbo |
| fuel type | Regular unleaded gasoline |
| Fuel efficiency | 6.6l / 100km |
| Landing | 5 Places |
| Price from | $26,600 |
Does it represent good value for money? What functions does it have? 7/10
As part of a restructuring of its lineup, Citroen currently only offers one C3 Aircross model in Australia. Its price ranges from $32,990 plus travel expenses, which means you'll get around $37,000 when it leaves the showroom.
Its price is from $32,990 plus travel expenses.
Standard equipment is smart, with AEB City Speed, Blind Spot Monitoring, Lane Departure Warning, Auto High Beams, Speed Sign Recognition, Driver Attention Warning, Front and Rear Parking Aid with Rearview Camera and Memory-Based Surround Camera, 7.0" infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, built-in satellite navigation, 17" alloy wheels, automatic headlights and wipers, LED daytime running lights, climate control and cruise control with speed limiter.
The equipment of the C3 Aircross is a bit lacking. But plenty of available interior color combinations, a sliding and reclining rear seat, and a European Aircross panoramic glass roof would be nice. LED headlights, adaptive cruise control, rear cross-traffic alert and rear automatic braking are not available at all, but, importantly, are available from rivals.
The C3 Aircross is equipped with a 7.0-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Comparing the C3 Aircross to the $33,000 Hyundai Kona Elite AWD, Hyundai delivers more power and torque, while Citroen offers unique standard equipment like automatic high beams and a head-up display.
The C3 Aircross is also roomier and more practical than the Kona.
As with the smaller C3 and the upcoming C5 Aircross (due to a launch here later this year), no options will be available for the C3 Aircross other than a $590 color choice (which also comes with contrasting exterior tints). White with orange highlights is the only free color option.
For early adopters, Citroen is offering the C3 Aircross Launch Edition with a panoramic glass sunroof, unique red and gray interior with cloth dashboard, and red body paint for the same $32,990 asking price as the regular model.
Is there anything interesting about its design? 8/10
I really like the way the C3 Aircross looks. While other small SUVs - looking at you the Nissan Juke, Hyundai Kona and the upcoming Skoda Kamiq - have the same fascia layout, I think the Aircross works better thanks to the car's overall dimensions and the way the daytime running lights blend into the grille. and Citroen sign.
I really like the way the C3 Aircross looks.
I also really like the colored "stripes" on the rear three-quarter window, which give the car a bit of a retro look - the color varies depending on which body color you choose.
It's taller than many of the competition, which lends style to style, and there are endless "squirters" for you to look at. If you had it, you would never tire of its style because there is an infinite amount of detail to look at, changing depending on the viewing angle.
Citroen only offers one color combination at no extra cost - all the others will save you an extra $590.
However, choosing a different color also results in a different color for the roof rails, mirror caps, taillights, headlight surrounds and wheel center caps.
Choosing a different color also results in different colors for the roof rails, mirror housings and taillights.
Citroen encourages you to think of it as a color concept. By choosing a blue exterior, you get white details. Choose white or sand and you'll end up with orange pieces. You receive a picture.
Compared to the Honda HR-V, the C3 Aircross is 194mm shorter at 4154mm long, but still 34mm wider (1756mm) and 32mm taller (1637mm). It weighs over 100kg less than the Honda (1203kg).
How practical is the interior space? 7/10
Small SUVs are bought because they offer extra height and interior practicality compared to the small cars they are based on. Compare the Mazda CX-3 to the Mazda2 it's based on and you'll see what I mean.
However, they are still not the most roomy cars. You can do better for the asking price and the same is true for the C3 Aircross.
The luggage compartment is a good size for the segment - 410 liters.
Cargo space is a good size for the segment: 410 liters - the Mazda CX-3 offers just 264 liters - while folding the seats gives access to 1289 liters and allows you to carry items up to 2.4 meters long.
The trunk itself has a raised floor with a spare tire underneath, as well as several bag hooks. The luggage rack can be stored behind the rear seat if you need to carry taller items.
Reasonable internal space. In fact, headroom is fantastic for a segment with good legroom for my 183cm (six foot) person sitting behind me, though the Honda HR-V is still the king of practicality in this segment with even more legroom and more airy feeling inside. . There are four bottle holders in each of the C3 Aircross doors.
With the seats folded down, the trunk volume will be 1289 liters.
The ISOFIX points on the two outermost rear seats are easily accessible for those installing child restraints/baby pods.
It's a shame that the European model's retractable and reclining rear seat (with a middle armrest and cup holders) didn't make it to Australia because our draconian child seat design rules would have made the car a four-seater.
There are also no vents in the back seat, so keep that in mind if that's important to you.
Headroom is fantastic for a segment with good legroom.
Moving on to the front seat, the cabin is decidedly more French than the rear - Australia's standard wireless phone charging stand means no front cup holders.
There is also no covered storage, the armrest is unfortunately not available in this market, and one place to store your wallet, etc. stows away when the handbrake is down.
The door boxes are reasonably sized, although the typically French tiny glove box (thanks to the fuse box not being properly converted from left-hand drive) still remains.
The interior is definitely more French than the rear.
What are the main characteristics of the engine and transmission? 7/10
The only C3 Aircross model available in Australia is powered by the same 81kW/205Nm 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine as the C3 light hatchback.
Like the C3, it is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission as standard.
The C3 Aircross is powered by an 81-liter turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine with 205 kW/1.2 Nm.
How much fuel does it consume? 7/10
Citroen claims that the C3 Aircross consumes 6.6L/100km of at least 95 octane premium fuel, and we managed 7.5L/100km when we started the car after a day of hard driving on city and country roads.
What safety equipment is installed? What is the safety rating? 8/10
The C3 Aircross is well equipped with active safety features. You get six airbags, low-speed AEB, blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, front and rear parking sensors, and a reversing camera that attempts to replicate a surround view camera.
In Euro NCAP testing in 2017, the C3 Aircross received the highest five-star safety rating. However, thanks to new regulations, the lack of cyclist detection - AEB means it will get four stars locally.
Warranty and safety rating
Basic Warranty
5 years / unlimited mileage
guarantee
ANCAP Safety Rating
How much does it cost to own? What kind of guarantee is provided? 6/10
Citroen doesn't have the best reputation for reliability, although its newer products seem to be better than they were in decades past.
Warranty coverage is five years/unlimited mileage, including five years of roadside assistance, which used to be ahead of the crowd, but most major brands now live up to it.
Warranty coverage is five years/unlimited mileage.
Maintenance is scheduled annually or every 15,000 km, whichever comes first. Limited price service is available for C3 Aircross owners and costs $2727.39 for five years/75,000km.
This equates to an average cost per service of $545.47, which is high for this segment. That's better when you consider that the Mazda CX-3 costs $2623 with same-distance service at shorter intervals of 10,000 km. In comparison, the Toyota C-HR costs $925 for the same period.
What is it like to drive? 8/10
The C3 Aircross stands out in the small SUV segment, which is full of hard-riding cars that don't really add value. Due to the brand's new emphasis on comfort, the C3 Aircross rides much softer than many competitors, and it's that ride quality that gives it a unique edge in the segment.
Due to the brand's new emphasis on comfort, the C3 Aircross rides much softer than many of its competitors.
However, do not think that its softness means poor body control. The ride is soft, but the car is well disciplined. This means it doesn't handle as well as the CX-3 and its body roll is more noticeable. But it's a small SUV, who cares?
I'm also a transmission freak. While 81kW is not a huge power in this segment, the peak torque of 205Nm should be taken into account as it provides excellent handling.
Especially when compared to the Honda HR-V, with its ancient 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine and terrible automatic CVT, the C3 Aircross is all about torque, refinement and driving pleasure.
The C3 Aircross delivers on torque, refinement and driving pleasure.
We noticed that at higher speeds the engine tends to run out of steam and it can feel slow when overtaking, but as a purely urban proposition (like many small SUVs) the C3 Aircross has no major drawbacks.
Ride at the higher speeds of the Aircross is excellent as well, and aside from the lack of grumbling, it's well-suited to highway speeds.
The C3 Aircross doesn't have Peugeot's sister brand "i-Cockpit" digital dials, but the interior is still fairly modern.
The standard head-up display is more aesthetically pleasing than the outdated digital speedometer.
The standard head-up display is more aesthetically pleasing than the outdated digital dash-mounted speedometer that really needs an update.
All-round visibility is excellent, with large windows and good range of reach/tilt steering and driver's seat (although it would be nice to have electric adjustment in this price range).
Verdict
The Citroen C3 Aircross is definitely one of the best options in the small SUV segment. It's not without flaws - the cost of ownership is too high, the value for money isn't brilliant, and more grunts would be welcome. But it's a charming little car that fixes many of Citroen's recent bugs.
It's more practical than many rivals and, like many past Citroen models, it offers charm that its competitors don't. If you're on the lookout for a small SUV and the C3 Aircross style and price suits you, you'd be crazy not to check it out.
Is the C3 Aircross your choice in the small SUV segment? Tell us your thoughts in the comments section below.
CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, providing transportation and meals.
