Citroen C3 Aircross review, first drive

By Dhruv Saxena: Creating a stand-out product for India’s mid-size SUV segment isn’t an easy task. It comprises some of the country’s best-selling brands and best-selling cars spanning a price range of Rs 10-20 lakh offering multiple powertrain options.

For a relatively new brand to take all that head on can’t be easy, but Citroen is willing to take a stab at it with the C3 Aircross hoping to woo buyers with its styling, multiple and flexible seating configurations, space and other aspects which we’ll take a closer look at in this review.

The C3 Aircross doesn’t just look good in the flesh with its signature Citroen face and rear section, the muscular styling, upright nose and flat bonnet coupled with details like the faux skid plates, roof rails and wheel arch cladding give it that imposing SUV look buyers crave. It rides on 17-inch diamond cut alloys and all four colour options are also available with a dual-tone exterior treatment.

In terms of size, the C3 Aircross sits somewhere between mid-size SUVs like the Hyundai Creta and three-row offerings like the Kia Carens. At 2,671mm, the wheelbase is longer than other mid-size SUVs and plays a central role in it giving it a spacious cabin.

Once in the driver’s seat, you’ll notice a marked improvement in quality and premium-ness compared to the C3 hatchback. There’s a digital instrument cluster with a configurable display and two colour themes to choose from all of which can be accessed via the controls on the steering wheel.

There’s a 10.2-inch touchscreen that looks and feels great both in terms of its interface and user experience and supports wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The dash top sports an Anodized Bronze finish which does look premium and what’s also good are all the practical storage spaces in the centre console.

What isn’t great, however, is the quality of plastics and fit and finish, especially of the lower half of the dashboard. The aircon control knobs, door handles, elements one would interact with regularly are of sub-par quality, making the C3 Aircross feel like a car that has been built to a cost.

Besides the ones that have already been mentioned, the features list also includes driver’s seat height adjustment (manual), electrically adjustable ORVMs, rear washer and wiper, a tyre pressure monitor, rear camera with parking sensors, one-touch auto down function for all four windows and USB type-A charging ports – one for the front seat occupants, two for the second row and two for the third row (7-seater only).

There’s no request sensor for keyless entry or push button start/stop, no sunroof, no cruise control, no front parking sensors, just two airbags, and in the case of the 5-seat version, no rear AC vents either. Of course, without knowing the price, it’s unfair to call Citroen out for not offering these convenience and safety features.

There’s a very positive feeling of space seated in the second row of the C3 Aircross and it is definitely one of its strongest selling points. Headroom, knee room and leg room are quite generous and adequate under-thigh support and soft seat cushioning make the second row of the C3 Aircross a very comfortable place to be.

The 5-seat version’s second row is slightly better in terms of space as it is placed 50mm rearwards compared to the 7-seat variant. It gets a central armrest with cup holders, something missing from the 7-seat variant, but no 60:40 split seats, unlike the three-row C3 Aircross.

Also missing from the 5-seat variant are rear AC vents, as the roof-mounted ones with fan speed control are restricted to the 7-seat C3 Aircross. Like the C3 hatchback, the rear power window switches are placed between the front seats. Odd.

Citroen has been very clear right from the outset that the C3 Aircross is a 5+2 seater and not an out-and-out 7 seater with the last row meant for shorter journeys and for maybe ferrying children. Two average-sized adults can fit, but their knees will touch the second-row seatback and the seating position is too knees-up to be comfortable for extended periods. So, like the company says, best for short journeys and/or children.

The best part about the C3 Aircross is the option to choose between two and three-row configurations and the flexibility offered by the three-row variant. Aside from folding flat, both third row seats can be removed to free up space. The permutations and combinations are endless and that helps make the C3 Aircross a very strong case for itself because there’s nothing else like it currently on sale in India in this segment.

Removing the third row seats frees up 511 litres of boot space, bigger than other mid-size SUVs, and with the second row folded, space increases to 839 litres. With all three rows in place, boot space is restricted to just 44 litres. The five-seat variant has 444 litres of cargo space.

Powering the C3 Aircross is a 1.2-litre, three-cylinder, turbocharged petrol engine borrowed from the C3 hatchback. With 110bhp of max power and 190Nm of peak torque, performance is more than adequate for a car this size. For now, there is no automatic transmission option on offer so a 6-speed manual is all buyers will get. The clutch isn’t the lightest we’ve experienced, but it isn’t heavy enough either to make driving the car in bumper-to-bumper traffic a painful exercise. While this 1.2 turbo petrol feels adequate for a car this size, being a three-cylinder unit, it doesn’t feel very refined, particularly while idling.

While the blemish-free tarmac of the East Coast Road outside of Chennai didn’t exactly give us a chance to properly test the ride quality, Citroen did have us drive the C3 Aircross over a mild off-road course, which didn’t just help highlight the generous 200mm ground clearance and features like hill hold assist, but also helped highlight that even over off-road trails, the C3 Aircross felt quite comfortable and if a car can keep occupants comfortable off the road, then dealing with bad roads, speed bumps and potholes should be no biggie. It’s hard to comment on the handling characteristics of the C3 Aircross given our limited running, but from what we could gather, Citroen has, once again, done a great job with tuning the suspension for comfort without making it too soft or floaty around corners or over undulations.

Citroen C3 Aircross review - Verdict

Space and a flexible 5+2 seating configuration, help set the C3 Aircross apart from most other mid-size SUVs in the segment. That coupled with the impressive ride quality and the styling are aspects that will help attract potential buyers to Citroen showrooms. Without knowing the price, though, it’s hard to comment on whether the underwhelming quality levels in the cabin or the lack of features is justified or not. If priced under Rs 15 lakh on-road, the Citroen C3 Aircross will be able to make a strong case for itself as a spacious, comfortable mid-size SUV with the ability to seat up to seven, offering features comparable to similarly priced variants of its rivals.

Citroen C3 Aircross specifications

• Engine 1,199cc, 3-cyl, turbocharged petrol
• Power 110bhp@5,500rpm
• Torque 190Nm@1,750rpm
• Gearbox 6-speed MT
• Fuel efficiency (claimed) 18.5kmpl
• LxWxH 4,323x1,796x1,665(5S)/1,669(7S)mm
• Wheelbase 2,671mm
• Boot space 444 litres(5S)/511 litres(7S w/o 3rd row)
• Fuel tank capacity 45 litres
• Tyre size 215/60 R17 alloy (spare - 205/65 R16 steel)
• Turning circle radius 5.4m
• Brakes Ventilated disc(F)/drum(R)
• Kerb weight 1,230kg(5S)/1,275kg(7S)

Citroen C3 Aircross price

• Estimated price (ex-showroom) Rs 12-15 lakh
• Bookings open September 2023
• Deliveries start October 2023