All-new Citroen C3 Aircross squeezes 7 seats into small SUV body

• All-new small SUV
• Room for up to seven passengers
• EV available alongside petrol and hybrid models

It’s been just over a week since Citroen released details about the new C3 Supermini, and now the French marque has unveiled the new Citroen C3 Aircross, the hatchback’s chunkier SUV sibling. Offering small SUV practicality and room for up to seven passengers, the new C3 Aircross gets the brand’s latest interior and exterior styling, along with an updated range of petrol, hybrid and fully electric powertrains.

Practically every mainstream manufacturer wants a slice of the small SUV pie these days – there’s a model for every budget, size and engine choice, from the best-selling Ford Puma to the electric Jeep Avenger. Citroen will be hoping that the new C3 Aircross can win over buyers with its Dacia Jogger-rivalling seven-seat layout and focus on value-for-money.

What do I need to know about the new Citroen C3 Aircross?

By squeezing seven seats into its 4,390mm length, Citroen has given the new C3 Aircross a unique selling-point in the small SUV market. While not quite an SUV, the Dacia Jogger is perhaps the closest rival to the seven-seat C3 Aircross in terms of passenger capacity and affordability. Citroen will also offer the C3 Aircross with five seats, directly competing with rivals such as the Dacia Duster and Renault Captur.

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The Citroen C3 Aircross is built around the ‘Smart Car’ platform that underpins the new C3 hatchback, albeit lengthened to accommodate the extra pair of rear seats. It’s the same setup used by the recently unveiled Vauxhall Frontera, which serves as the sister car to the C3 Aircross. Look closely, and you’ll even spot that the two models share many of the same body panels, along with their windows, door handles and mirrors.

The C3 Aircross may share its upright, boxy proportions with the Vauxhall, but the front and rear have received a unique design treatment. The LED headlights are carried over from the C3 hatchback, and sit above a suitably chunky bumper. Citroen’s new oval logo is present on the nose and bootlid, complemented by horizontal black trim. Buyers will be able to order their C3 Aircross in a range of two-tone paint schemes, with contrasting colours for the roof and bodywork.

While we don’t have official pictures of the interior yet, it’s safe to assume that the C3 hatchback’s cabin will be carried over to the Aircross, complete with its 10.25-inch infotainment screen and head-up display for driving information.

What engines are available with the new Citroen C3 Aircross?

Citroen will offer the C3 Aircross with a range of engines, including petrol, hybrid and fully electric options. Specific engine details haven’t yet been revealed, but it’s likely to use the same engines found in the C3 hatchback. That would mean a 99bhp 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine for the entry-level model, driving the front wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox.

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The new Hybrid 100 engine option will probably be carried over, too. This mild hybrid system uses a 1.2-litre petrol engine alongside a small electric motor to deliver a total output of 99bhp via a six-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. Parent-brand Stellantis also offers a more powerful, 134bhp mild hybrid system in the Vauxhall Corsa, although it’s not clear whether this will be offered in the C3 Aircross.

Completing the lineup is the electric Citroen e-C3 Aircross. We can assume that this will use the same 44kWh battery and 112bhp electric motor found in the e-C3 hatchback, with the same 100kW DC rapid-charging capability. In the e-C3, the setup can deliver up to 199 miles of range, so the C3 Aircross should be able to achieve a similar figure. The longer wheelbase of the C3 Aircross could have the potential to accommodate a larger battery pack, but there’s no official word on whether this will be offered.

How much will the new Citroen C3 Aircross cost and when can I buy one?

Pricing for the C3 Aircross is still under wraps, but we expect the hatchback’s budget-friendly ethos to stretch to the Aircross SUV as well. That could result in a sub-£30,000 starting price for the e-C3 Aircross, while petrol and hybrid models will be even more affordable.

Further details, including UK pricing and release date, will be confirmed in the summer.

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