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Shared platform

That Citroën can offer the new C3 at this price is because of parent company Stellantis’ new SmartCar platform. This platform is shared with brands such as Peugeot, Opel and Fiat, reducing development costs. The result? A competitively priced car that is more towards the B segment than the A segment in terms of size.

Designs and prices

Two versions of the new C3 are available: the You and the Max. The base version, the You, starts at 21,690 euros and offers only some basic things, such as hubcaps and simple plastic bumpers. Want more luxury? Then there’s the Max for 24,900 euros. This version adds 17-inch wheels, a two-tone paint and nice interior goodies like an infotainment screen and nice upholstery, among other things. Especially with a cool color and nice wheels, the new C3 is definitely not a gray mouse.

Bigger than you expect

Although, at 4.01 meters, the new C3 is barely longer than its predecessor, it feels larger. This is mainly due to the raised body: it is no less than ten centimeters higher. As a result, it offers a comfortable high seating position. The luggage space increases by ten liters to 310 liters. Perfect for all your shopping and short vacations. The high lift threshold is not always convenient, but it is easy to live with. There is a surprising amount of space in the rear for a car in this price range. Even taller passengers have plenty of headroom in the back, and the legroom also impresses.

Comfortable, as you expect from Citroën

Citroën is known for its focus on comfort, and the new C3 does not disappoint here either. Thanks to the so-called Advanced Comfort suspension and hydraulic bumpstops – a kind of cushion on the struts – you hardly feel large bumps and potholes. Fortunately, the car is quickly stable on the road again, without swaying. A neat suspension. The seats, with an extra-thick foam layer, offer excellent support, even during longer journeys. In short: the new C3 is a typical Citroën.

Sufficient power

The engine – a 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder – delivers 74 kW (100 hp). With that, you accelerate to 100 km/h in 10.7 seconds and reach a top speed of 183 km/h. Excellent figures for a car in this segment. The six-speed manual transmission shifts smoothly and allows for comfortable cruising on the highway. Thanks to sixth gear, you can easily achieve a fuel consumption of 1:20 on the highway, without trying too hard.

Practical but few luxuries

The interior is practical and, in the Max version, offers a fine screen with quick response. The basic version, the You, has to make do with a phone holder. So the basic version is really a basic version. For automatic air conditioning, you also have to choose the Max or the optional Plus Pack. The Max has soft materials on the dashboard, which is remarkable considering its price. But don’t expect much else in the way of luxury. A big plus is the clarity of the interior. The large forward and elevated seating position give you excellent all-round visibility. It feels like you are driving a bigger car, which gives confidence.

Hybrid

Starting in 2025, Citroën will expand the offering with a hybrid variant. This will have the same 74 kW (100 hp) gasoline engine we drive today, but combined with a 21 kW (28 hp) electric motor. The big advantage? An automatic transmission, which the regular gasoline version lacks. So automatic drivers will have to wait a while for the hybrid C3. On electricity, the C3 also comes, with a starting price of 24,290 euros. Then we are talking about the ë-C3. Here you can read more about this 83 kW (113 hp) strong version, with 320 kilometers of range.

Conclusion: a good deal?

The Citroën C3 offers a lot of car for relatively little money. It’s as simple as that. It is comfortable, spacious and surprisingly mature for its price range. Of course, there are drawbacks: wind noise can be distracting at higher speeds, and the warning sounds could be a little more subtle. But those are details in the bigger picture.

For those looking for an affordable new car that offers just a bit more space and comfort than a traditional city car, the Citroën C3 is an excellent choice. Whether you go for the basic You or the more luxurious Max, you get a car that is remarkably mature. And at a price that is almost rare these days. In the video below, we tell you more: