Citroën C3 hatchback - Interior & comfort

Both front seats are very comfortable and the view out for the driver is excellent, too. You’ll be able to find a really good driving position, thanks to the standard fitment of a reach and height-adjustable steering wheel.

There’s a sense of style in there, as well, with the option of a few ‘Ambiances’ giving each car a unique feel, while details like fabric straps instead of plastic door pulls give the C3 a sense of character that’s not as prevalent in other cars in this class. A 'Techwood' trim option even adds faux wood accents around the interior, for a modern twist on a traditional style.

Citroen C3 dashboard

There’s no denying the Citroen C3's interior is a nice place to be. Everything is easy to use, while it’s stylish, too. The dashboard is dominated by air vents and a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The touchscreen is easy to operate on the move for the most part, although it's frustrating that the climate control functions are hidden within the screen, instead of having physical buttons or dials. This means you'll have to take your eyes off the road to adjust something as simple as the temperature. The instrument dials aren’t quite as easy to read as the Sandero’s – trip info can be scrolled through on the digital LCD screen, while the five-inch black and white screen fitted to the You! trim looks rather basic, but the functions that it does offer work smoothly enough.

The instrument dials aren’t quite as easy to read as those on a Dacia Sandero – trip info can be scrolled through on the digital LCD screen, while the five-inch black and white screen fitted to the You! trim looks rather basic, but the functions that it does offer work smoothly enough.

Equipment

As of late 2023, Citroen has simplified the C3 range – it now starts from You!, moving up through Plus and Max trims. Entry-level You! is pretty basic, but you do get a five-inch black and white touch screen, cruise control, a DAB radio, Bluetooth and manual air con, LED headlights and foglights and 15-inch alloy wheels

The two other C3s are much better equipped, and we’d recommend going for at least Plus trim as it comes with most features you’d expect of even the most basic modern car. That includes a seven-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, electric folding side mirrors, 16-inch alloy wheels and Citroen’s signature Airbump protective strips – if these aren’t to your taste they can be removed at no extra charge. Plus models and above get automatic air conditioning, compared with the You!’s manual system, and driver convenience features like a reversing camera and rear parking sensors, along with lane-departure warnings and traffic sign recognition.

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Top-spec Max models get larger 17-inch alloys, tinted rear glass, a 3D rear light signature, plus Citroen’s navigation system complete with a three-year subscription to online services, and a leather steering wheel and gear lever. Max takes convenience one step further, with automatic windscreen wipers and headlights, as well as autonomous emergency braking tech, driver attention monitoring and alert and high-beam assist.

Options

There aren’t too many options to pick from. Besides a multitude of paint options, as well as contrasting roof, mirror and trim colours and different alloy wheel designs, buyers can specify sat-nav on the Plus model for £400.