Citroën C3/ë-C3

Since 2002, the C3 has taken over from the Saxo in the affordable city car segment. While the third generation had partly put away the round shapes, the fourth version unveiled in 2023 has completely separated itself from them to take on the appearance of a small SUV. Despite everything, it retains a reduced size and benefits from several engines.

The look and dimensions of the Citroën C3

The curves of the old models are more than a memory. Horizontal bonnet, high body line, raised ground clearance (19.5 cm for petrol engines, 16.5 cm for electric cars), plastic protections on the wheel arches... The fourth C3 adopts all the codes of small SUVs. This is even more visible on the high trims with a contrasting roof and pillars (white or black) as well as roof bars. Despite an overall height increased by 9.3 cm to 1.57 m, the small Citroën retains a reduced size: 4.01 m long and 1.76 m wide. This generation is also debuting the brand's new logo, similar to that of the 1930s.

Simplicity takes precedence on the inside. The horizontal dashboard accommodates, from the second trim level, a 10-inch touchscreen with an intuitive navigation system. On the other hand, as standard, you will have to make do with a smartphone holder. Behind the steering wheel is a head-up display projected onto a slat located at the base of the windscreen (standard). Physical controls have been retained to manage temperature settings. The standard equipment offers advanced driving aids such as sign recognition or automatic emergency braking. Comfort has been preserved thanks to the adoption, throughout the range, of suspensions with hydraulic stops. Advertised at an attractive price, it seems obvious that the city car has made concessions on its finish. Even if hard plastics are legion, the assemblies have been worked on. The roominess is decent, but access to the rear seat is impractical due to the small opening of the doors. The boot can carry 310 cm3 of luggage, whether the car is chosen for combustion or electric. This is a lower value compared to the Renault Clio, Dacia Sandero and Volkswagen Polo.

The combustion engines of the Citroën C3

Under its hood, the city car with the chevrons makes do with a 1.2 PureTech three-cylinder petrol engine developing 100 hp and combined with a 6-speed manual gearbox. This same engine can be combined with a micro-hybridization (for unchanged power) and coupled with an e-DCS6 dual-clutch automatic transmission. Signed Punch Powertrain, this transmission directly embeds the mild hybridization module and makes its appearance on the Peugeot 3008 SUV.

The Citroën ë-C3 electric version

Just like its cousin the Peugeot 208, the C3 offers a 100% electric version. Called ë-C3, it is equipped with a 113 hp electric motor and a 44 kWh battery for an announced range of 320 km. With a maximum charging capacity of 100 kW at fast charging stations, the electric variant of the little Citroën promises to "fill up" from 20 to 80% in just 26 minutes. Enough to put a spanner in the works of the Dacia Spring.