Citroen C2 (2003 – 2010) Review
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Citroen C2 (2003 – 2010) At A Glance
Low running costs, including insurance. Good crash test rating.
Tailgate isn't that practical. Poor showing in JD Power Customer Satisfaction Survey.
In theory it's a new AX. Small, light, simple, practical, economical and fun.
But car makers can't make a car like that any more. Laws don't let them. So underneath its cute little body the C2 has had to become a lot more sophisticated.
You get the flavour by looking at the spec. Power steering. Central locking. Airbags all over the place. And under the skin a rock solid passenger compartment with crumple zones either end. It's a miracle they managed to keep the weight down to 932 kilos. And the economy up to a remarkable 69mpg combined for the diesel version. For low running costs, with £85 a year VED and Group 2 insurance you're going to find that very hard to beat.
But I decided to look at the C2 as a first car for a 17 year old. That means either the bare bones Group 1 insurance, 48mpg 1.1L, at £6,995 as an introductory offer. Or the LX which comes with independently sliding and folding rear seats and other goodies, including a CD player, which add up to an extra £500. So, actually, most buyers are going to fork that extra £500.
Reviews for Citroen C2 (2003 – 2010)'s top 3 rivals
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Citroen C2 (2003 – 2010) handling and engines
- Engines range from 1.1i to 1.6 16V
- Readers report Real MPG to be between 28–74 mpg
Out on the road, the car goes well enough and actually started to go a lot better as it began to loosen up. Handling felt inert at first but soon became much more fun once we got used to each other, even though the steering is still a tad light. Clutch, gearchange and throttle response are just about as good as they could be. It pulls about 20mph per 1,000rpm in top and will scoot along the motorway in the mid 80s very happily. Obviously it's a bit noisy at 4,000rpm plus, but not wearingly bad.
And here's something you don't expect in a base version. It wasn't on the spec sheet. But on the dash there's a convenient button that allows you to set a speed warning. Exceed the pre-set speed and you get beeped. So no excuses and no need to constantly watch the speed rather than the road when driving through a restricted area.
When the time came to part I actually felt some affection for this cute little car. If I had to, I could live with it and enjoy its company immensely. I can imagine quite a few wealthy parents indulging their 17 year old offspring with a C2, then borrowing it more often than they ever expected.
| Engine | MPG | 0-62 | CO2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1i | 49 mpg | 14.4 s | 138 g/km |
| 1.4 16V SensoDrive Stop & Start | 50 mpg | 13.0 s | 130 g/km |
| 1.4 HDi | 66 mpg | 13.5 s | 113 g/km |
| 1.4i | 47 mpg | 12.2 s | 143 g/km |
| 1.6 16V | 41 mpg | 8.3 s | 163 g/km |
| 1.6 16V SensoDrive | 45 mpg | 11.7 s | 151 g/km |
| 1.6 HDi | 64 mpg | 9.4 s | 119 g/km |
Real MPG average for the Citroen C2 (2003 – 2010)
Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.
Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.
Average performance
93%
Real MPG
28–74 mpg
MPGs submitted
158
Citroen C2 (2003 – 2010) interior
- Boot space is 193–879 litres
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 3666 mm |
| Width | 1659 mm |
| Height | 1451–1461 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2315 mm |
Brave of Citroen to put me in the bare bones £6,995 L, though. Novel to have to wind the windows up and down and twiddle the door mirror control stalks instead of pressing buttons. But you're not faced with bare metal poverty spec that was all you used to get in a base model. The finish is quite good. There are vanity mirrors, a speedo rim digital rev counter, a decent enough radio, a height and reach adjustable steering wheel, a switchable passenger airbag, remote central locking, self locking doors, automatic hazards.
The rear window lifts up, hatchback style, for dropping supermarket bags into boot space which is reasonable for the car's length. But the drop-down tailgate is only half a tailgate, leaving a substantial strengthening sill. And on top of that, merely the backrests of the rear seats fold down. Since they don't slide, there really isn't much legroom in the back. Get a spanner and you could howk them out completely, which might suit some people wanting a commodious two seater. The back seats alone are a good reason for coughing up the extra £500 for the LX.
Citroen C2 (2003 – 2010) models and specs
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 3666 mm |
| Width | 1659 mm |
| Height | 1451–1461 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2315 mm |
| Miscellaneous | |
|---|---|
| Kerb Weight | 956–1122 kg |
| Boot Space | 193–879 L |
| Warranty | 3 years |
| Servicing | 12500–20000 miles |
| Costs | |
|---|---|
| List Price | £8,395–£14,145 |
| Insurance Groups | 3–16 |
| Road Tax Bands | C–G |
| Official MPG | 40.9–65.7 mpg |
| Euro NCAP Safety Ratings | |
|---|---|
| Adult | 4 |
| Child | 3 |
| Pedestrian | 2 |
| Overall | - |
On sale until October 2009
| Hatchback | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 1.1i VT 3dr | £9,845 | 48.7 mpg | 14.4 s |
| 1.4 HDi VTR 3dr | £11,845 | 65.7 mpg | 13.5 s |
| 1.4i VTR 3dr | £11,045 | 47.0 mpg | 12.2 s |
| 1.6i 16v VTS 3dr | £13,745 | 40.9 mpg | 8.3 s |
On sale until May 2009
| Hatchback | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 1.1i VTR 3dr | £9,945 | 48.7 mpg | 14.4 s |
| 1.4 HDi VT 3dr | £10,545 | 65.7 mpg | 13.5 s |
| 1.4 HDi VTS 3dr | £11,745 | 65.7 mpg | 13.5 s |
| 1.4i 16v SensoDrive Stop & Start VTR 3dr | £11,745 | 50.4 mpg | 13.0 s |
| 1.4i VTS 3dr | £10,945 | 47.0 mpg | 12.2 s |
| 1.6 HDi VTS 3dr | £14,145 | 64.2 mpg | 9.4 s |
On sale until February 2009
| Hatchback | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 1.1i Rhythm 3dr | £9,395 | 48.7 mpg | 14.4 s |
| 1.1i Vibe 3dr | £8,895 | 48.7 mpg | 14.4 s |
| 1.4 HDi Rhythm 3dr | £10,695 | 65.7 mpg | 13.5 s |
| 1.4 HDi Vibe 3dr | £10,195 | 65.7 mpg | 13.5 s |
| 1.4i 16v SensoDrive Stop & Start Rhythm 3dr | £11,395 | 50.4 mpg | 13.0 s |
| 1.4i Rhythm 3dr | £9,895 | 47.0 mpg | 12.2 s |
| 1.6i 16v SensoDrive VTR 3dr | £12,295 | 44.8 mpg | 11.7 s |
On sale until October 2007
| Hatchback | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 1.4 HDi Furio 3dr | £10,595 | 65.7 mpg | 13.5 s |
| 1.4 HDi L 3dr | £9,595 | 65.7 mpg | 13.5 s |
| 1.4 HDi SX 3dr | £10,795 | 65.7 mpg | 13.5 s |
On sale until June 2007
| Hatchback | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 1.1i Design 3dr | £8,745 | 48.7 mpg | 14.4 s |
| 1.1i Furio 3dr | £9,395 | 48.7 mpg | 14.4 s |
| 1.1i L 3dr | £8,395 | 48.7 mpg | 14.4 s |
| 1.1i SX 3dr | £9,595 | 48.7 mpg | 14.4 s |
| 1.4 HDi Design 3dr | £9,885 | 65.7 mpg | 13.5 s |
| 1.4i Design 3dr | £9,245 | 47.0 mpg | 12.2 s |
| 1.4i Furio 3dr | £9,895 | 47.0 mpg | 12.2 s |
| 1.4i SX 3dr | £10,095 | 47.0 mpg | 12.2 s |
Model History
- January 2003: Citroen C2 launched
- February 2004: Range extended
- September 2007: 110hp C2 1.6 HDi VTS launched
- February 2008: C2 Code edition goes on sale
- August 2008: Citroen C2 range facelifted
January 2003
Citroen C2 launched
Basic small 3 door Citroen gradually replaced the Saxo and sits under the 5 door C3. 3,666mm (12') long x 1,659mm (5' 5") wide.
Similar engine range to C3, but starting lower with basic £5,500 1.0 litre (not UK), rising through 1.1i, 1.4i, 1.4 HDI and 110bhp 1.6 16v VTR to 137bhp 2.0 litre. SensoDrive with paddle shift available on 1.4i and 1.6i. ABS with EBD and ABA standard across the range.
Launch prices: 1.1iL £6,995; 1.1iLX £7,695; I.4HDI L £7,995; 1.1iSX £8,295; 1.4HDI LX £8,695; 1.4HDI SX £9,295; 1.4i SX Sensodrive £9,595; 1.4i Furio Sensodrive £8,995; 1.6i VTR Sensidrive £10,995.
1.4HDI has 70mpg capability; 1.1i is Group 1 insurance, ideal for your drivers (look for 'free insurance' offers). 1.4 Furio and 1.6i 16v VTR were offered with the first year's insurance included except in Northern Ireland.
C2 features include individually sliding and folding rear seats and split tailgate, while options cover climate control, automatic headlamps and wipers, cruise control, heated leather seats.
C2 GT with same 110hp 1.6i 16V engine as the Exclusive, but with a five-speed manual transmission on sale from 1-12-2003 at £10,495 including a year's insurance. Does 0-60mph in 9.2 seconds and has top speed of 121mph.
February 2004
Range extended
Extra models include 1.4i Furio with manual or Sensodrive gearboxed at under £9,000 and Euro IV compliant 1.4HDI Furio Sensodrive at £10,195 including a ABS and a year's insurance. New 1.1 Design has CD player and 'funky' interior for £8,295, still low insurance group and offered with 1st year's insurance included for drivers as young as 19 when bought on Elect 3 Finance. 1.4 Design subject to £800 cashback bringing it down to £7,995. 70bhp 1.4 HDI Design £9,095 from Feb 2005 before cashbacks and discounts.
September 2007
110hp C2 1.6 HDi VTS launched
Priced at £10,995 and capable of over 60mpg. 0-60mph 9.1 seconds, top speed 120mph. 192lb.ft available at 2,000rpm. 64mpg combined and 119g/km CO2, so Band B £35pa VED. Air conditioning, ESP, four airbags, an alarm and ABS with EBD are all standard, while smart 16” ‘Cheetah’ alloy wheels are also fitted. Years free insurtance for drivers over 25 September 2007 only.
February 2008
C2 Code edition goes on sale
C2 Code launched based on 1.6 HDi VTS, which was a best seller, taking 20% of all C2 sales in 2007. Also £10,995.
August 2008
Citroen C2 range facelifted
Range facelifted and refreshed with new radiator grille and one-piece front bumper. C2 line-up has been simplified to four trim levels - Vibe, Rhythm, VTR and VTS. C2 Stop & Start now comes in the Rhythm trim and, together with the Cachet special edition, gains lateral airbags as standard as well as an aluminium effect surround on the centre console.
Combining performance, economy and environmental credentials, the C2 VTS 1.6 HDi 110hp returns 64.2mpg on the combined cycle is fitted with a particulate filter system (DPFS) that virtually eliminates particle emissions and chugs out only 119g/km. It can also run on 30% bio-diesel which means that it combines low emissions with the ability to utilise a renewable energy source. C2 1.4HDIs now onlu emit 113g/km CO2. Updates on the VTR and VTS models include option of heated front leather seats and passenger seat-height adjustment and increased equipment levels, including new and exciting paint colours and MP3-CD compatibility as standard on the entry level C2 Vibe.
- Citroën C2 Vibe 1.1i 61hp 138 g/km £8,795.00
- Citroën C2 Vibe 1.4HDi 70hp 113 g/km £9,410.00
- Citroën C2 Rhythm 1.1i 61hp 138 g/km £9,295.00
- Citroën C2 Rhythm 1.4i 8V 75hp 143 g/km £9,795.00
- Citroën C2 Rhythm 1.4i 16V 90hp Stop & Start 130 g/km £11,295.00
- Citroën C2 Rhythm 1.4HDi 70hp 113 g/km £10,595.00
- Citroën C2 VTR 1.4i 8V 75hp 143 g/km £10,395.00
- Citroën C2 VTR 1.6i 16V 110hp 151 g/km £12,195.00
- Citroën C2 VTR 1.4HDi 70hp 113 g/km £11,095.00
- Citroën C2 VTS 1.6i 16V 125hp 163 g/km £12,895.00
- Citroën C2 VTS 1.6HDi 16V 110hp 119 g/km£13,895.00
What to watch out for
'Whirring whine' from 1.4 HDi may be failing timing belt tensioner, which is a roller bearing device like the idler pulley, but with a reddish rubber/nylon damper. Gates cambelt kits include this part. Wise also to replace waterpump which it driven by the timing belt.
On 1.6 VTS, inlet manifold bolts prone to falling off.
Report of Citroen C2 Sensodrive automated manual failing to go into reverse.
