Insurance Group: 8
MPG: 65.7
CO2: 99
0-62 Mph: 14.2 secs
BHP: 68 BHP
Range: 723 miles
It is affordable yet at the same time economical. Low pricing, low insurance premiums and a good servicing agreement are part of what you get to enjoy when you buy the C3 1.1i VT.
PROS: Great looks. Very comfortable ride. Ample boot.
CONS: Small rear space. Standard equipment is limited.
Everything feels smooth behind the wheel. What the engine lacks in power, the chassis makes up for in response and body control. Suspension is superb and the car zooms over potholes smoothly. It gives the most comfortable ride over rough roads in its class.
It has a 4-cylinder 8v 1124cc petrol engine which unfortunately, is not as powerful as you may wish. It will feel sluggish at times, and not just on the motorway but in the city as well. The 1.1-litre engine delivers 61bhp and 70lb-ft of torque at 3300 rpm. Petrol and diesel engines in the higher trims are faster and more powerful, but they cost more.
The car has a top speed of 96mph, reaching 0-62mph in 16.5 seconds. Compared to rivals, this is pretty low. The entry level VW Polo, for instance, has a higher top speed and faster acceleration. Gear shifts in the 5-speed manual system are not very smooth.
The car is refined and efficiently suppresses external noise. The engine gives a companionable hum which is welcome as opposed to being an irritant.
The clutch is placed too high, making the driving position uncomfortable. Lack of steering wheel adjustment makes the problem worse. In addition, the driver’s seat is firm and unsupportive. It is a good thing that the dashboard is stylish and clear, otherwise many drivers would be frustrated.
The C3 1.1i 8v VT 5dr has a funky, grown-up look and will appeal to all ages. An angular front end gives it a sporty look as do the curved rear lights.
The small family hatchback has 5 doors and 5 seats. The cabin interior is superbly finished, with glossy dashboard panels and neatly arranged instruments.
Standard equipment is rather basic. The 1.1i VT gets central locking, power steering, electric door mirrors, electric front windows, driver, passenger and side airbags, CD player and MP3 connectivity. Only stability control and metallic paint worth £440 are available as cost options.
The Citroen C3 1.1i 8v VT 5dr is fitted with enough safety features to keep you adequately protected, achieving a 4-star rating in the Euro-NCAP test.
Citroen has struggled with reliability problems in the past, but improved engineering on the C3 promises to restore faith in the brand. Since the C3 was first released into the market in 2010, there have been no complaints as far as performance-related mechanicals are concerned.
Citroen could have done a better job on the cabin; the front is roomy and comfortable while the back is short of legroom. Only kids can comfortably sit back there. If you will be carrying more than one adult in the car regularly, the C3 will be a big let-down.
The glove compartment is small but there are a good number of bottle and cup holders in the cabin. You can fit sizeable luggage in the 300 litre boot. The rear seats do not fold completely, a design blip which costs you extra boot space. A high load lip makes loading a little tricky, especially for heavier stuff.
Compared to premium rivals, the C3 1.1i 8v VT 5dr is competitively priced. The manufacturer offers a 3 year warranty and service interval of 20,000 miles. You will also enjoy low insurance rates and affordable servicing.
The car returns 47.9 mpg, which is more or less the class average and is actually more frugal than primary rival Audi A1. With CO2 emissions of 139g/km, it falls under Road Tax band E which attracts £115. Its resale value is lower than top competitors such as the VW Golf and Ford Fiesta.
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