Citroën C3 hatchback - MPG, running costs & CO2
Diesels are the most efficient, but petrol Citroen C3s cost much less to buy and are nearly as cheap to run
Despite the current trend for more and more manufacturers to go for hybrid or electric powertrains, Citroen has stuck to proven petrol and diesel engines for the C3, keeping it as affordable as possible. They’re all impressively efficient and shouldn’t cost too much to run. Meanwhile, purchase prices are pretty low and Citroen dealers are renowned for generous discounts. This could, however, have a negative impact on the car’s residual values.
Citroen C3 MPG & CO2
As frugal as the diesel is, the petrols are also pretty impressive. The least powerful petrol is the most efficient; the 82bhp version manages over 50mpg but emits 123-135g/km of CO2, giving it a middling BiK rating. The other 1.2-litre PureTech engine with 109bhp isn't much thirstier, and it's this engine that we recommend if you can afford it as the extra power makes it much easier to keep up with traffic.
The 99bhp diesel engine in the Citroen C3 is the star of the economy show. Go for the 1.5-litre four-cylinder diesel engine and you should get some impressive figures, as Citroen claims up to 65mpg – similar figures to a Toyota Prius hybrid. The diesel's CO2 output and BiK band are also quite low (112-113g/km), and it occupies a lower BiK band than petrol versions. Diesel buyers can only choose the most expensive trim level, so nearly all buyers will find it more cost-effective to buy a petrol-engined C3. Every version of the Citroen C3 hatchback is liable for the standard VED road tax rate from the second year of ownership onwards.
Warranty
The Citroen C3’s three-year/60,000-mile warranty is pretty standard for the class, matching the likes of the Ford Fiesta, SEAT Ibiza, Skoda Fabia and Volkswagen Polo, while the Honda Jazz has a 90,000-mile limit on its three-year cover.
It is, however, slightly behind some other rivals. For example, both the Renault Clio and the Hyundai i20 come with a five-year warranty, and the Hyundai has no mileage limit. The Kia Rio gets a very impressive seven-year/100,000-mile warranty, but the Toyota Yaris can come with up to 10 years of cover, making Citroen’s warranty look a little meagre.
Insurance
The 82bhp PureTech model is cheapest to insure, in group 13, while the 109bhp petrol is in group 22. The diesel BlueHDi is also in group 22, which is a similarly broad spread to rivals like the outgoing Peugeot 208, but still fairly high for a supermini.
