Citroën C3 review
The Citroën C3 is a supermini that dares to be different, with quirky styling, a focus on comfort, and lots of personality.
Author: Charlie Harvey
18th Dec 2025 – 8 mins read
If you’re looking for a small car that stands out from the crowd, the Citroën C3 is a brilliant choice. It’s a supermini that shuns boring, conventional design in favour of something much more fun and characterful. The third-generation model, launched in late 2016, took this idea and ran with it, borrowing the quirky styling cues from the C4 Cactus, including those distinctive 'Airbumps' on the side. The C3 is a car that prioritises comfort above all else. Instead of trying to be sporty, Citroën has engineered the C3 to be a soft, relaxing car to drive, which makes it perfect for dealing with bumpy British roads. It’s also surprisingly practical for its size and comes with a range of efficient engines. It’s a car with a huge amount of charm and personality, making it a refreshing and appealing alternative to more mainstream choices.
Pros
- Distinctive, stylish design that stands out
- Very comfortable and easy to drive
- Efficient engines with low running costs
Cons
- It's not very exciting or dynamic to drive
- Some rivals offer better interior quality
- Rear passenger space is a bit tight
Interior
Dashboard & tech
The inside of the C3 is just as interesting as the outside. The design is modern and minimalist, with a clean-looking dashboard and fun design touches like the suitcase-style door pulls. Most of the car's functions are controlled through the seven-inch central touchscreen, which gives the cabin a tidy, button-free look.
The infotainment system on most models includes Citroën’s Mirror Screen, which allows you to connect your phone using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. The quality is generally good, but you will find more hard, scratchy plastics than in rivals like the Volkswagen Polo. It's a cabin that’s big on style and personality, even if it’s not the most premium-feeling.
Comfort
Comfort is the C3’s superpower. Citroën deliberately tuned the suspension to be soft and supple, meaning it does a fantastic job of soaking up bumps and potholes. This makes it an incredibly relaxing car to drive, especially around town where road surfaces can be poor.
The seats are wide and soft, feeling more like comfortable armchairs than typical car seats. This all adds up to create a driving experience that is calm, quiet, and incredibly comfortable. If you value a smooth ride over sporty handling, the C3 is one of the very best cars in its class.
Quality
The C3’s interior has a fun and stylish design, but the quality of the materials is a bit of a mixed bag. While the main touchpoints feel pleasant enough, there are plenty of cheaper-feeling plastics to be found, which remind you that this is a car built to be affordable.
However, everything feels like it has been put together well, and the cabin feels solid and durable enough to stand up to the demands of daily life. It may not have the premium, high-end feel of some German rivals, but it makes up for it with its unique charm and character.
Practicality & boot space
Interior space
For a supermini, the C3 is surprisingly practical. The car’s tall, slightly boxy shape means there's a good amount of headroom for all passengers. There’s plenty of space up front for the driver and passenger to get comfortable, and you'll find lots of useful storage spaces for your phone, keys, and drinks.
The rear seats are a bit more of a squeeze. While children will be perfectly happy, adults might find legroom a bit tight on longer journeys, especially if there are tall people sitting in the front. Access is easy thanks to the five-door-only body style.
Boot space
The C3 has a very practical boot for a car of its size. At 300 litres, it's one of the largest in the supermini class, beaten only by a handful of rivals. It's a good, square shape and will easily swallow a big weekly shop, a pushchair, or luggage for a weekend away.
The only small downside is that there's quite a high lip to lift heavy items over, and the rear seats don't fold completely flat. Despite this, it’s a very usable boot that adds to the C3’s credentials as a practical small family car.
Driving
Driving experience
The driving experience in the C3 is all about comfort and relaxation. As we’ve said, the soft suspension makes for a very smooth ride. The steering is very light, which is fantastic for parking and manoeuvring around town, but it doesn't provide much feedback, so you don't feel a strong connection to the road.
If you’re looking for a small car that's fun to drive on a twisty road, a Ford Fiesta would be a better choice. The C3 is not a sporty car and can feel a bit out of its depth if you try to hurry it along. But if you prefer a calm, easy-going drive, the C3 is one of the most pleasant and relaxing cars in its class.
Performance
The engine range is focused on efficiency and low running costs. The most popular choice is the excellent 1.2-litre 'PureTech' three-cylinder petrol engine. It’s available in a few different power outputs, from a non-turbo 67bhp version to a turbocharged 108bhp model. The turbocharged versions are the best all-rounders, offering a good mix of punchy performance and great fuel economy.
For high-mileage drivers, there's also a very efficient 1.6-litre 'BlueHDi' diesel engine. Most engines come with a five-speed manual gearbox, but a smooth six-speed automatic (called EAT6) is also available on more powerful models.
Running costs
Fuel economy & CO2 emissions
This is a real strong point for the Citroën C3. All of its engines are very efficient and cheap to run. The PureTech petrol engines can all officially return over 60mpg, which is an excellent figure. The BlueHDi diesel is even more impressive, with an official economy figure of over 75mpg, making it one of the most frugal small cars you can buy.
Low CO2 emissions mean that road tax is also very affordable. Combined with low insurance groups for the less powerful models, the C3 is a car that won’t cost a lot to keep on the road.
Value for money
The C3 has always offered great value for money. It was competitively priced when new, and because Citroën's haven't always held their value as well as some rivals, it makes for a fantastic used buy. You can find nearly-new models with significant savings off the original list price. When you consider the stylish design and generous equipment levels, it represents a real bargain.
Reliability & Warranty
Citroën's reputation for reliability has been a bit patchy in the past, but its modern cars are much improved. The C3 uses well-proven engines and technology from across the wider Peugeot-Citroën group. From new, all Citroëns come with a three-year, 60,000-mile warranty.
Safety
Safety features
When the third-generation C3 was crash-tested by the safety experts at Euro NCAP in 2017, it was awarded a four-star rating. It performed well but was marked down slightly for not having autonomous emergency braking as standard on all models.
However, all models do come with a good level of safety kit, including lane departure warning and a system that alerts the driver if they've been driving for too long without a break. Top-spec Flair models add a reversing camera, and some are fitted with the clever 'ConnectedCAM' – a built-in dashcam that can automatically save footage in the event of an accident.
Trims & Engines
Trim levels
The C3 is available in a simple range of trim levels, all offering good value.
Touch: The entry-level model comes with DAB radio, Bluetooth, electric front windows, and a host of safety features including lane departure warning and speed limit recognition.
Feel: This popular mid-range trim adds 16-inch alloy wheels, the seven-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a more stylish look.
Flair: The top-of-the-range model is packed with kit. It gets the signature 'Airbumps' on the sides, a contrasting roof colour, automatic air conditioning, and a reversing camera. It’s the trim that really shows off the C3's full design flair.
Engines
The engine range is focused on the award-winning 1.2-litre PureTech petrol unit and an efficient diesel.
1.2 PureTech Petrol: A three-cylinder engine available in non-turbo form with 67bhp or 80bhp, or as a more powerful turbocharged version with 108bhp. The turbo is the best all-rounder.
1.6 BlueHDi Diesel: A 98bhp diesel engine that’s perfect for drivers who cover a lot of motorway miles and want the absolute best fuel economy.