First Drive: Citroën C3 Aircross

First Drive: Citroën C3 Aircross

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The new Citroën C3 Aircross has made its local debut in South Africa, and it is clear that it intends to be a heavy-hitter in the B-Segment. With the new C3 Aircross now available, Citroën aims to check as many boxes as it can with its B-SUV contender.

Funky French

Citroën has always been known for its styling traits; whether you find its cars attractive or not is a subjective topic. Regardless of that, Citroën aims to be unique and different in the market, with its cars having some French flair. The new C3 Aircross doesn’t fall short on this, with a new “more muscular SUV design,” as stated by Citroën. It is definitely bold, receiving more defined lines and styling cues compared to the soft-edged outgoing model.

The exterior dimensions are where the plan comes together. At a length of 4,324mm, the C3 Aircross falls on the larger side of B-Segment competitors, being slightly longer than the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro and slightly shorter than the Suzuki Grand Vitara and Toyota Urban Cruiser. This length allows the Citroën C3 Aircross to have a 7-seater option, which is unique in its segment.

The interior

On the topic of seating arrangements, the interior is just as bold as the exterior. At first glance, the array of colours pops, with intriguing textures used throughout the cabin. The dashboard is significantly more prominent, boasting more defining features, as evidenced by its exterior design. Though, on the feeling front, do expect a handful of plastic utilisation.

As for tech, the C3 Aircross is equipped with a new 7-inch colour TFT instrument cluster to display all the necessary driving information, as well as a very nice 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system equipped with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. I'll give the C3 Aircross' infotainment system kudos because it's snappy, clear, and simple to use. It is commendable, as we know that infotainment systems in this price bracket can be hit-and-miss.

As mentioned earlier, there is a 7-seater option available for the taking. Citroën's latest offering provides greater versatility by allowing for individual removal of the third-row seats without the need for additional tools. Yes, with all seven seats positioned upright, there is virtually no boot space, but the positive is that you have the option to remove either one or both seats, depending on the scenario, to allow for more cargo space. With that said, lay the third row flat, and the C3 Aircross has a spacious boot capacity of 444 litres or 510 litres (third row removed).

How does it go?

As for the drive, the powertrain is the key highlight. The C3 Aircross receives a 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine that is paired to a 6-speed torque-vectoring automatic transmission. Power figures are good, with 81kW and 205Nm of torque available from down-low on the rev counter. It is noteworthy to point out that, compared to other competitors, the C3 Aircross has a more ‘torquey’ setup, allowing for better overtaking and getting up to speed with less urgency on the throttle. This made for a satisfying and effortless driving experience.

Apart from the drivetrain, the steering has good weighting and feels quite confident on the road, making travel through bumpier-than-usual back roads easy. The suspension allowed for a relatively comfortable ride, with slight stiffness being noticed on a rockier path, but for the most part, it was smooth.

The verdict

A careful consideration of timing and logistics is evident when comparing the Citroën C3 Aircross to its more established rivals. Citroën’s latest B-SUV offers a funky and versatile package at a competitive price point. It is also worth mentioning that you can purchase the C3 Aircross with 10 different colour options (four monotone and six dual-tone colours) at no additional cost. 

The biggest drawback on the part of the C3 Aircross is that it is only equipped with two airbags for safety, compared to some other competitors that come standard with six.

Citroen's C3 Aircross meets numerous requirements and surpasses its competitors in several areas. It is a car worth short-listing for buyers looking for a new vehicle in this segment with a little more spirit to spice things up.

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Pricing

Citroën C3 Aircross Max 1.2T 6AT: R344,900

Citroën C3 Aircross Max 1.2T 6AT 7-Seater: R354,900

For added peace of mind, the Citroën C3 Aircross comes with a 5-year/100,000-kilometre warranty and a 4-year/60,000-kilometre service plan.

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Words: Niki Louw