Citroën C3 Aircross: A Cool and Practical Family-Friendly Car

Visually, the French car makes an immediate impression: The Citroën C3 Aircross crossover looks rugged, but its white A-pillars and roof give it plenty of pizzazz right from the start. Très chic—and not just because of the two-tone paint job. The 17-inch alloy wheels and the striking LED lights (both front and rear) also suit our test car well. The positive impression continues inside, even if there’s a bit too much hard plastic and the control buttons don’t always feel high-quality. On the other hand, the controls are straightforward and easy to use. Controls are simple and straightforward, mostly via the 10.25-inch touchscreen or the buttons below it. The narrow driver’s display, showing the fuel gauge, speed, and other essentials, is kept to a minimum; after all, the C3 also has a head-up display.

Designed entirely for comfort

The interior is also appealing with its two-tone color scheme, and the seats are very comfortable even on longer drives. Measuring 4.40 meters long, 1.80 meters wide, and 1.66 meters tall, the C3 Aircross «Max» offers an astonishing amount of space. Legroom in the back of this five-seater is almost generous. That makes sense: it’s also available as a seven-seater as an option, in which case the rear bench must be moved forward 6.5 centimeters to make room for two additional seats. When fully occupied, the trunk space melts away like ice cream on a hot summer day: 40 liters remain. However, as a boldly styled five-seater, the crossover offers more than enough storage space—ranging from 460 to 1,600 liters—for a week’s worth of groceries or a family outing.

The C3 Aircross is available as an electric vehicle with 44- or 54-kWh batteries, a gasoline engine (74 kW/100 PS), or—as in this test—as a mild hybrid (107 kW/145 PS). You shouldn’t expect much in the way of spirited performance with these power figures, but to be honest, a family car doesn’t really need it either. The suspension and shock absorbers are also designed more for a smooth ride than for sportiness. And the calibration of the 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine with the electrified dual-clutch transmission can be a bit jerky at times. On the other hand, the combination shines in the city, where you often drive in electric mode, making it efficient (manufacturer’s fuel consumption: 6.0 l/100 km). Another plus for the family budget is the attractive price of 28,050 francs for our top-of-the-line model.

Expert Review: Citroën C3 Aircross «Max»

A compact French sedan with plenty of space. The suspension and mild-hybrid system could be a bit better tuned, but you’re hardly going to be taking this stylish, family-friendly car on a high-speed drive through the curves.

Advantages
+ Bold, fresh design
+ Generous amount of space
+ Remarkably fuel-efficient, especially in city driving

Disadvantages
– The interior is sturdy, but there's a bit too much hard plastic
– Slightly jerky transition between gasoline and electric drive