Citroën C3 Aircross review - the most comfortable small SUV?
"The Citroen C3 Aircross is a quirky small SUV with cool looks, a cosy interior and plenty to like about the way it drives"
Pros
- Comfortable interior
- Attractive styling
- Decent engines
Cons
- Middling reliability
- Touchscreen heater controls
- Only one ‘free’ paint colour
Verdict - Is the Citroen C3 Aircross a good car?
The C3 Aircross is a thoroughly conceived package, which loses out to rivals for driving appeal but more than makes up for this with a flexible, well-equipped and comfortable interior. And that, after all, is what many small SUV buyers are looking for. Though the C3 Aircross undercuts rivals like the Renault Captur with its entry-level list price, it often falls behind for buyers looking for PCP finance bargains, where the Captur seems to be the subject of tempting deals more often
Citroen C3 Aircross models, specs and alternatives
The choice of small SUVs available in the UK is extensive, with the Citroen C3 Aircross facing off against several stylish rivals including the Hyundai Kona, Kia Stonic, SEAT Arona, along with the latest versions of the Nissan Juke and Renault Captur, plus the Ford Puma – Britain’s best-selling car of 2023. If you’re about to go crossover shopping, there should be a model to suit you to a tee.
Having been on sale since 2017, the C3 Aircross came in for a major refresh in 2021, when it gained a more purposeful look. Slim new headlights, new daytime running lights and a widened grille were ushered in, helping the Citroen appeal to those who may have preferred the Nissan Juke's more angular looks. Comfort and tech has also been improved, and the C3 Aircross is competitively priced, undercutting most of its rivals.
The C3 Aircross also effectively supplants the quirky C4 Cactus as Citroen's small, funky crossover offering. Individual looks aside, the Aircross is actually thoroughly conventional under the metal, sharing its underpinnings with the smaller C3 supermini, and built in the same factory as the Vauxhall Mokka and Vauxhall Crossland.
The Aircross offers a 1.2-litre PureTech turbocharged petrol with either 109bhp or 129bhp; CO2 emissions start from 134g/km for the lower-powered manual car, rising to 146g/km for the more powerful automatic. A 1.5-litre BlueHDi diesel is also offered with 109bhp emitting from 128g/km of CO2, but only in the top trim level. The diesel should appeal to high-mileage drivers, thanks to its fuel economy figure of up to 64mpg, but we'd recommend the PureTech 110 for most buyers; it can still return an impressive 54.2mpg.
The BlueHDi 109bhp engine is already well proven and here it provides impressive get-up-and-go, with a smooth delivery until well beyond the point you’d usually change gear. Acceleration from 0-62mph takes 10.8 seconds, which is notably quicker than the 14.4 seconds of the diesel Renault Captur.
Taller suspension helps the C3 Aircross retain its composure, with only the occasional pothole grabbing your attention. In corners, the Citroen is equally well composed, resisting any stomach-churning body lean, despite having plenty of grip to remain on your chosen trajectory. It's anything but a sporty car to drive, though, because Citroen instead wanted to prioritise comfort.
The Citroen C3 Aircross is available in three trims: You, Plus and Max. You versions have LED headlights, alloy wheels, rear parking sensors and the seven-inch touchscreen from the pre-facelift car, with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. When we tested this model we found it to have enough kit to be suited to most buyers – while Plus does add a nine-inch touchscreen with sat nav, we found the You’s seven-inch unit good enough, and the Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity is even better than Citroen’s own setup in higher trims.
As well as the upgraded infotainment system, Plus trim adds automatic lights and wipers, along with rear parking sensors. The range-topping Max trim brings bigger 17-inch alloy wheels and features like a contrasting black roof, tinted windows, leather-effect upholstery and a head-up display.
As in the Renault Captur, the Aircross' back seats are on individual runners, so you can move them to expand the boot to 520 litres. Leave them fully back for maximum kneeroom and the boot measures 410 litres – figures which are good for the class. There’s enough room for four adults, but rear headroom is a bit tight for adults, particularly if the panoramic sunroof is fitted.
Safety is guaranteed, thanks to a five-star Euro NCAP rating. The C3 Aircross is fitted with the usual airbags, but there's also technology to help prevent a collision from happening in the first place, with autonomous emergency braking standard from the Shine model upwards.
