Road Tested By Hugh Maguire.
Small cars have become very good these days. They offer decent space and many come fitted with a host of standard specification previously only found on larger more expensive models. Buyers are now offered more choice too when it comes to powertrains and so it is with the chic new Citroen C3.
Available with petrol, mild hybrid or pure EV there is a model to suit all tastes.
Of late I have noticed many manufacturers re focusing on hybrid power and it really makes sense. EV’s are not for everyone and many industry insiders now believe that the 2035 deadline banning the sale of new petrol and diesel engines will have to be revisited and probably moved. As a result many manufacturers have responded to the slow uptake of EV’s by offering petrol and petrol hybrid cars. These cars in many ways offer the best of both worlds. Emission free driving at times while predominantly in slow town traffic, no range issues, and no plugging in.
The car on test here is the Citroen C3 petrol hybrid. So how does it fare against its non hybrid petrol stablemate?
This new C3 comes in two trim variants named, PLUS and MAX and with achoice of six colours. We are testing the MAX trim version.
So how does it look?
I like the more muscular stance of this new model. It gives the C3 a more distinctive profile.
There are nice detail touches which give the C3 an attractive appearance such as the two-tone alloy wheels, black door mirrors, black door handles and the black roof rails. Owners can purchase a set of removable coloured “clips” which can be changed at four different points on the outside of the car to personalise it somewhat. I find that idea a bit gimmicky and I am not so sure anyone will bother paying for that. Overall then the new C3 scores well for style.
What’s it like inside?
I like the two tone light grey and black upholstery. It adds to the spacious feeling of the cabin.
Slip into the very comfortable drivers seat and you will find an excellent driving position, and what Citroen call its “head up display” digital instruments. Its not really a head up display as we know it but a narrow broad strip of digital instruments. It works well enough. The 10.25 inch central touchscreen has some pretty basic graphics but again it all works fine.
Apple car play and Android Auto are standard, and there is a neatly positioned US-C port to the left of the touchscreen but this Max model comes standard with wireless phone charging. Fully automatic climate control, and heated front seats as well as a heated steering wheel add to the comfort levels offered in the new C3. I particularly like the fact that Citroen have a row of nicely designed chrome effect toggle switches for adjusting the climate functions as well as proper buttons for the ancillary heated seats and so on. In reality it means you are rarely interacting through the touchscreen which is far less distracting and therefore safer.
Overall the interior looks and feels well put together though you don’t have to look too far to notice the hard touch cheaper plastic trim on the doors.
There is a decent amount of oddments space, a good sized glovebox, large door pockets, cupholders and a centrally mounted storage box with a hinged lid. Handy for chucking bits and pieces out of sight.
It’s really roomy both front and rear given its compact external dimensions and even at 6 feet or so I can sit comfortably behind my driving seat position. So a true and easy four seater. The boot is reasonable too and would take two standard suitcases.
What is under the bonnet?
A 1.2 litre 3 cylinder petrol turbo paired with a 48volt mild-hybrid system producing 109bhp (combined) and driving the front wheels through an automatic gearbox. Citroen claim that it will run on electric power only up to 50% of the time in city traffic. It does not quite feel as though it manages that but at very low speeds in the urban environment it does run quite a bit on electric power only. The engine cuts in and out almost unnoticed and the result is an overall test average fuel consumption of 6.0 litres per 100km. That’s quite good giving owners a range in excess of 720km between refuels.Overall performance is quite good too and it can hustle along the motorway in an unstressed manner.
So how does it drive?
The new C3 is set up with comfort as the dominating virtue and in that it succeeds. It is comfortable, those nicely cushioned seats are good.
The ride is excellent insulating the occupants from most imperfections on the road. It handles safely and well though accompanied with a bit of body roll in tight corners. Refinement levels are on a par with rivals though there is a bit of tyre roar on more coarse tarmac.
Hugh’s Verdict.
The Citroen C3 hybrid in MAX trim costs from €29,700 and that is quite a price hike from the 1.2 petrol non hybrid “MAX” at €26,390. So why choose the more expensive hybrid? Frankly it will depend on the nature of your driving. If your journeys are predominantly urban the hybrid makes sense and you will see the benefits in terms of lower fuel consumption which over time should negate the higher up front cost.
Dislikes:
Tyre roar on course tarmac.
Basic graphics on the central touchscreen.
Hard touch scratchy plastic trim in places.
Likes:
Good specification in MAX trim.
Decent space inside for its size.
Inexpensive to own and run.
Appealing design.