Auto Trader cars

Skip to contentSkip to footer

Citroen C3

New from £13,930

Petrol or diesel
Automatic or manual
Hatchback
5 seats
5 doors
Auto Trader Logo

Is the Citroen C3 Hatchback a good car?

Read our expert review

Icon image of hannah-hill

Words by: Hannah Hill

"Now refreshed with a range of new features and a restyled grille for a more assertive look, the Citroen C3 is a distinctive option in the small hatchback field and makes up for a its somewhat unremarkable driving manners with its range of colourful personalisation options. It also offers a very accessible entry point to the range with a back-to-basics trim level that looks very good value indeed, while fancier versions add more features, tech and performance. There’s no hybrid or electric option in the range as it stands, though this helps things simple and prices low."

4

Read the review by category

chevron-down

Running costs for a Citroen C3

4/5

Over the years Citroen’s small cars have always been popular with young drivers for their affordability and cheap running costs, the addition of a basic trim level at a very attractive entry price helping maintain this tradition and potentially opening up new car ownership to those who might otherwise considered a used car instead. Paired with a small and efficient petrol engine the claimed fuel consumption matches that we’ve achieved with much pricier and more complicated hybridhatchbacks of this size, like the Renault Clio E-Tech Hybrid and Toyota Yaris. Prices rise quite quickly as you move up the range to access the more powerful engines and luxurious features like the automatic transmission option but, at its heart, the C3 is a traditional, affordable supermini with an appealing garnish of style.

Reliability of a Citroen C3

3/5

Citroen’s warranty is three years or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first. This cover period is pretty standard in the industry and the Stellantis group of which Citroen is a member has a generally good reputation for building dependable cars, though if you seek more reassurance some rivals like Kia, MG and Hyundai offer longer warranties.

Safety for a Citroen C3

4/5

The C3 comes with a good array of safety kit as standard, with even that basic entry model getting the Safety Pack 1 with lane departure warning, a system that reads road signs and reminds you of the speed limit, a combined cruise control/speed limiter and a full complement of airbags. This also, kind of, extends to the exterior, with the signature Airbump side panels designed to shrug off dings from adjacent cars opening their doors into you in car parks. A pity, though, you only get automatic emergency braking as standard with the Safety Pack 2 on the top model.

How comfortable is the Citroen C3

4/5

In keeping with Citroen’s comfort-oriented brand values road noise and other intrusions are well isolated, making for a relaxing and peaceful time at the wheel. Under its ‘Citroen Advanced Comfort’ branding the C3 also benefits from various measures to improve the sense of inner calm, including special foam within the seats that manages to be both soft and supportive. At a more practical level the cabin is also well-stocked with storage compartments, including a slot beneath the screen to stash your phone while it’s connected to the car. As mentioned, the funky design on the inside and out is a unique selling point for the C3 and provides a chic-feeling environment.

Features of the Citroen C3

4/5

The personalisation options for the C3 are really appealing, and offer an astonishing 97 combinations of exterior colours via the seven different paint schemes, four two-tone roof options and four colour packs, the latter adding accents to the fog light surrounds and Airbumps. It’s also neat how the shapes on the outside are replicated inside, though it’s a shame the stylish wood effect option is only available on the top model. Meanwhile, digital dials are integrated into the touch-screen, so making a quick adjustment to the cabin temperature for example is longer and more fiddly than it should be, especially as the menus are confusing and the digital buttons are slow to react to your inputs.

Power for a Citroen C3

3/5

The engine range for the C3 comprises two versions of the same 1.2-litre ‘Puretech’ branded petrol engine, the more powerful one adding the option of an automatic gearbox. This was the version we drove, the 110 horsepower feeling adequate though perhaps losing a little bit of response with this gearbox and performance is best described as adequate rather than sparkling. The automatic is also more expensive, but will make life easier if you do a lot of your driving around town. There’s a diesel as well, but only on the top of the range trim so it’s expensive and makes less sense in a small car like this.

Lease deals

These deals are based on terms of 8,000 miles, for a 36 month lease with a 6 months initial payment.

Standard equipment

Expect the following equipment on your Citroen C3 Hatchback. This may vary between trim levels.

Other vehicles in the C3 family

e-C3 Hatchback

  • tick

    Impressively low price

  • tick

    Usable range

  • tick

    Signature Citroën comfort

Related articles and reviews

Citroen C3 Hatchback (2024 - ) review

The all-new C3 remains one of the most comfortable small cars you can buy and could be yours for a very reasonable price

Expert review4 months ago

Citroen C3 Hatchback (2020 - 2024) review

Funky looks and a very competitive entry price make the C3 a solid choice for those seeking a distinctive first car

Expert review2 years ago

Citroen C3 Hatchback (2016 - 2020) review

The Citroen C3 looks like no other car in the supermini class, with bold, modern design and some truly quirky touches. It also offers some tempting gadgets and decent practicality, but to be honest, it’s not all that much cop to drive.

Expert review8 years ago

All-new Citroen C3 breaks cover at Paris Motor Show

The five-door supermini will rival cars such as the Renault Clio, Ford Fiesta and Seat Ibiza.

News8 years ago

Your questions answered

Monthly rentals ('payments') are not an offer of credit. Payments are based on offers available today which may be withdrawn or varied at any time in the future without notice.

Contract Hire ('Leasing') is subject to status and approval and is only available to UK residents aged 18 and over. Vehicle must be returned with no more than fair wear and tear to avoid further charges. You will not own the vehicle. Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply.

Auto Trader Limited (Firm Reference Number: 735711) is a credit broker and not a lender. Auto Trader Limited introduces you to Autorama UK Ltd (Trading as Auto Trader leasing), which acts as a credit broker in its own right. Autorama UK Ltd, Maylands Avenue, Hemel Hempstead, HP2 7DE (Firm Reference Number: 630748) may go on to introduce you to one of a limited number of funders. Autorama UK Ltd will typically receive a commission or other benefits from the funder as a result of this introduction.

Autorama UK Ltd is an Auto Trader Group Plc company.

Vehicles are subject to availability and may vary from images shown.