Citroen C3 (2010 – 2017) Review

The 2010 generation of the Citroen C3 was the French firm’s idea of a compact hatchback, long before oddball ideas such as air bumps and square circles were introduced to its range. It was pretty dull, but got the job done in a straightforward fashion with low running costs. However, it misses any of the panache found in the likes of the Ford Fiesta or French rival the Peugeot 208. Read on for our full Citroen C3 review.

Small hatchbacks remain big news and used buyers have a plethora of options.

On the original Citroen C3, the firm, as we have become accustomed to, played it a bit different, making the car taller and more mini MPV-like than a run-of-the-mill small car.

So what could it do to make this second-generation Citroen C3 stand out from the crowd?

The answer came from France, naturellement, where the authorities considerately place a small set of traffic lights at eye-level. This means that if you can’t see the overhead lights, you still know when to get moving.

Citroen’s designers must have travelled to more backward countries, like the UK, to realise the need we have to see the lights when we are at the head of a traffic queue.

Hence the Citroen C3’s unique feature: a screen that doesn’t stop until it’s on top of your head. 

Called the ‘Zenith’ screen, it is progressively tinted front to back, so you don’t get progressively tanned. Instead of the normal 28-degree angle of vision, it gives you 108 degrees.

And if it’s all too much, you can pull a roof-lining down to where the screen top rail would normally be.

Yes, it gives this Citroen C3 a hint of the quirkiness that fans of the brand love. But in truth, there’s not much else to get excited about here other than low prices.

Fancy a new Citroen C3? Read our Citroen C3 review here.

Oddly for the French brand, the Citroen C3’s ride is a little on the fidgety side at low speeds.

Where we’d expect it to slither effortlessly over fractured surfaces, it often feels like it’s bouncing from one rut or ridge to the next. 

This is compounded by steering that feels heavier than necessary when parking, and yet doesn’t deliver much feedback at higher speeds.

When you do up the pace, there’s a lot of wind and road noise, although the engines are hushed.

Nor does the Citroen C3 offer any compensation with agile handling. A Ford Fiesta runs rings round it, even when you are not attempting to drive the Citroen with any great verve.

The 68PS 1.0-litre petrol engine will work for learner drivers or those who have just passed their test, but for most needs it’s a little short on puff once you head out of town.

For this reason, the 1.2 PureTech petrol is the one we’d aim for thanks to its 82PS and broader spread of ability. A manual gearbox is standard, and what you should choose, as it is a better bet than the automated manual, which has jerky changes.

Citroen also offered a 120PS 1.6-litre petrol, but it doesn't deliver much extra over the 1.2.

For longer-distance driving, the excellent 68PS 1.4-litre and 92PS 1.6-litre diesel motors are sound bets.

They are not the quietest engines in operation, but they give a good account of themselves on steeper inclines and offer excellent economy.

When this Citroen C3 was tested by Euro NCAP at its launch, it achieved an adequate four-star rating.

It comes with front and side airbags, but curtain airbags were only standard when you moved up from the base trim level.

All Citroen C3s come with ABS anti-lock brakes, but ESP traction control was not standard on every version until the car was updated in 2013.

The Citroen C3 can tow a modest 450kg with an unbraked trailer, or you can pull up to 1150kg with a braked trailer depending on the model you choose.

Some variants are more limited, with a maximum braked trailer capacity of 775kg.

Starting at the back, this Citroen C3 offers a 300-litre boot, which makes it more adept at carrying luggage than most of its key rivals.

The load sill is also relatively low, which makes getting heavier items in and out easier. However, there is quite a drop from load sill to boot floor, which means you need some muscle to lift weightier bags up and out.

The shape of the Citroen C3’s boot is practical, but it’s a shame the tip and fold rear seat doesn’t stow flat, as this makes it trickier when trying to cram in long loads.

Things are better if you regularly carry passengers, as the Citroen C3 has reasonable space in the back seats for children, although adults might find room for their knees is a bit on the tight side.

In the front, the Citroen C3 gives the driver a good view in all directions, helped by the slightly raised seating position.

There’s also that huge windscreen in most models, which adds an airy feel to the cabin, if not much else in practical terms.

Driver’s seat height adjustment, plus two-way movement for the steering column, is standard in all versions.

The Citroen C3’s interior gives the impression of decent quality, with an interesting design and mix of materials and shapes.

However, let your hands wander to the edges of panels and plastics, and you’ll be disappointed. There’s a definite sense of ‘that’ll do’ to the fit and finish.

The dash is clearly laid out, though, and the optional sat-nav is placed high in the centre console.

This Citroen C3 generation hails from a time when infotainment was still somewhat basic. However, if you went for a top-spec Platinum trim model, there was a seven-inch touchscreen system with DAB radio.

It seems dated now, but it does also come with Bluetooth connectivity to pair your phone to the car.

The Edition model, meanwhile, did without the screen, but has Bluetooth.

Around £2500 is all you need to drive away in an early version of this generation of Citroen C3. That gets you a 1.4-litre petrol model in VTR+ trim, with around 70,000 miles on the clock.

For something newer, double that budget will net a 2016 car with the excellent 1.2 PureTech petrol engine in well-equipped Edition trim.

Spend £7500 and you can have an eight-year-old fully loaded Citroen C3 Platinum, with less than 30,000 miles under its wheels.

Low running costs are one of the main reasons a used buyer should consider picking the Citroen C3.

There are some impressive claimed fuel economy figures for models with diesel engines, reaching as high as 83.1mpg when paired with the ETG automated manual gearbox.

Whichever diesel you choose, more than 60mpg is easily achievable with little effort on the driver’s part.

That’s fine if you’re covering plenty of miles, but many Citroen C3 drivers will be better served by a petrol engine, and there were some good choices available.

The 68PS 1.0-litre PureTech petrol is fine around town, but we’d go for the 1.2-litre version with 82PS, as it’s more rounded and delivers 55mpg in normal driving, which is very commendable.

The 1.2 PureTech emits 107g/km of carbon dioxide, which equates to annual road tax of £20 per year at the time of writing. The diesels can go as low as 87g/km, which means free road tax.

The servicing costs of the Citroen C3 will be on a par with any other small car, and it won’t cause you sleepless nights for any routine maintenance.

Nor will insurance be a headache thanks to the Citroen ranking from groups 7 to 21 (out of 50).

It’s only the high-spec Airdream model that resides in group 21 – none of the rest goes higher than group 18.

The range started with the rather basic Citroen C3 VT model, which comes with electric front windows and remote central locking.

A better bet is the Citroen C3 VTR+ with its alloy wheels, Bluetooth connection, cruise control, air-conditioning and leather-covered steering wheel. This feels like a significant step up from the base trim.

The Citroen C3 Exclusive was the top spec to begin with, and offered climate control, electric rear windows and an alarm for added security.

The Citroen C3 Airdream model was introduced in 2011, with rear parking sensors and some extra trim to brighten its appearance.

After the 2013 update, the Citroen C3 Exclusive and Citroen C3 Platinum models replaced the VTR+ and Exclusive, respectively, but retained the same equipment levels.