Citroën C3 Aircross review - the most comfortable small SUV?
"The Citroen C3 Aircross is a quirky small SUV with cool looks, a cosy interior and plenty to like about the way it drives"
Pros
- Comfortable interior
- Attractive styling
- Decent engines
Cons
- Middling reliability
- Touchscreen heater controls
- Only one ‘free’ paint colour
Verdict – is the Citroen C3 Aircross a good car?
The C3 Aircross is a thoroughly conceived small SUV, which loses out to rivals for driving appeal but more than makes up for this with a practical, well-equipped and comfortable interior. And that, after all, is what many small SUV buyers are looking for. Though the C3 Aircross undercuts rivals like the Renault Captur with its entry-level list price, it often falls behind for buyers looking for PCP finance bargains, where the Captur seems to be the subject of tempting deals more often
Citroen C3 Aircross models, specs and alternatives
The Citroen C3 Aircross is the French brand’s answer to supermini-based small SUVs like the Hyundai Kona, Kia Stonic, SEAT Arona and of course the Nissan Juke, Ford Puma and Renault Captur. As you’d guess, it’s based on the Citroen C3 but gets a higher ride, slightly more rugged styling and is slightly bigger.
The Citroen C3 Aircross is just about to be replaced by an all-new model for 2025, itself based on the latest Citroen C3, which launched in 2024. The latest Citroen C3 is more SUV-inspired from the outset, so the new Citroen C3 Aircross will differentiate itself by offering space for up to seven occupants, and like the smaller supermini it will get an all-electric e-C3 Aircross variant.
The Citroen C3 Aircross we’ve reviewed here was launched back in 2017, though, and came in for a major refresh in 2021, when it gained a more purposeful look. Slim new headlights, new daytime running lights and a widened grille were ushered in, helping the Citroen appeal to those who may have preferred the Nissan Juke's more angular looks. Comfort and tech has also been improved, and the C3 Aircross is competitively priced, undercutting most of its rivals. As the car approaches retirement, it costs from just under £18,000 in You! Specification, so it looks like an absolute bargain – it’s worth getting in there as soon as possible if you don’t mind going for the older model, because you’re likely to bag a good deal now and it won’t be around for long.
Back when it first arrived, the C3 Aircross effectively replaced the quirky C4 Cactus as Citroen's small, funky crossover offering. Individual looks aside, the Aircross is actually thoroughly conventional under the metal, sharing its underpinnings with the smaller C3 supermini, and built in the same factory as the Vauxhall Mokka and Vauxhall Crossland.
The Aircross offers a 1.2-litre PureTech turbocharged petrol with either 109bhp or 129bhp; CO2 emissions start from 134g/km for the lower-powered manual car, rising to 146g/km for the more powerful automatic. A 1.5-litre BlueHDi diesel is also offered with 109bhp emitting from 130g/km of CO2, but only in the top trim level. The diesel should appeal to high-mileage drivers, thanks to its fuel economy figure of up to 64mpg, but we'd recommend the PureTech 110 for most buyers; it can still return an impressive 54.2mpg.
The BlueHDi 109bhp engine is already well proven and here it provides impressive get-up-and-go, with a smooth delivery until well beyond the point you’d usually change gear. Acceleration from 0-62mph takes 10.8 seconds, which is notably quicker than the 14.4 seconds of the diesel Renault Captur, which has since been discontinued.
Taller suspension helps the C3 Aircross retain its composure, with only the occasional pothole grabbing your attention. In corners, the Citroen is equally well composed, resisting any stomach-churning body lean, despite having plenty of grip to remain on your chosen trajectory. It's anything but a sporty car to drive, though, because Citroen instead wanted to prioritise comfort.
The Citroen C3 Aircross is available in three trims: You, Plus and Max. You versions have LED headlights, alloy wheels, rear parking sensors and the seven-inch touchscreen from the pre-facelift car, with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. When we tested this model we found it to have enough kit to be suited to most buyers – while Plus does add a nine-inch touchscreen with sat nav, we found the You’s seven-inch unit good enough, and the Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity is even better than Citroen’s own setup in higher trims.
As well as the upgraded infotainment system, Plus trim adds automatic lights and wipers, along with rear parking sensors. The range-topping Max trim brings bigger 17-inch alloy wheels and features like a contrasting black roof, tinted windows, leather-effect upholstery and a head-up display.
As in the Renault Captur, the Aircross' back seats are on individual runners, so you can move them to expand the boot to 520 litres. Leave them fully back for maximum kneeroom and the boot measures 410 litres – figures which are good for the class. There’s enough room for four adults, but rear headroom is a bit tight for adults, particularly if the panoramic sunroof is fitted.
Safety is guaranteed, thanks to a five-star Euro NCAP rating. The C3 Aircross is fitted with the usual airbags, but there's also technology to help prevent a collision from happening in the first place, with autonomous emergency braking standard from the Shine model upwards. Owners are mostly happy with their C3 Aircross too, giving it a strong score for reliability and its low running costs in our latest Driver Power survey.
