Citroen C3 2017: full prices and specifications

The 2017 Citroen C3 was unveiled at the 2016 Paris Motor Show and marks a radical departure from the previous C3, with far quirkier styling, updated technology and a smoother ride. There are many good reasons to consider it over the Ford Fiesta, Vauxhall Corsa, Volkswagen Polo and SEAT Ibiza.

Every engine is affordable to run, with the petrol line-up including a 1.2-litre with either 67 or 81bhp and a turbocharged version of the same engine with 109bhp. Diesel engines are quite a bit larger, with a 1.6-litre capacity and either 74 or 99bhp.

Even the least economical petrol engines return 60mpg, while the diesels return between 76 and 80.7mpg and emit less than 100g/km of CO2.

Three trim levels are offered (Touch, Feel and Flair) and there are numerous ways to personalise your C3, including various bodywork and roof colour combinations.

The Citroen C3 starts from £10,995 for the 67bhp petrol in Touch trim, rising to £17,095 for the 1.6-litre BlueHDi diesel in Flair specification.

The Citroen C3 is on sale now – read our review here.

2017 Citroen C3 design

The 2017 Citroen C3 is clearly inspired by the design of the Citroen C4 Cactus, with a similarly stretched chevron badge flowing into daytime running lights and the actual headlights moulded into the front bumper. This design, along with two grilles and lots of plastic cladding, gives the C3 many of the styling cues of a small SUV without the additional size.

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At the rear, the main features are protruding light clusters, with a three-dimensional design similar to those of the DS 3 supermini. Up to 36 combinations of roof and bodywork paintwork are possible, with the range-topping Flair trim level echoing the roof colour across other pieces of trim like the door mirrors and ‘Airbump’ protective cladding.

Interior styling

It’s possible to make your mark on the interior, too, with four colour schemes, ranging from the subtle Metropolitan Grey to the gregarious Urban Red, which adds a sportier ambience.

If you’ve sat in a C4 Cactus, some of the design touches here will be familiar, including the fabric door grabs, comfortable seats and a feeling of spaciousness, with Citroen claiming the C3 has the largest interior in its class. Both the front and rear seats are wider than you might expect and when fitted, a panoramic sunroof makes the car feel even bigger.

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As in most other recent Citroens, many of the C3’s controls have been moved into a touchscreen in the centre console, creating a less cluttered dashboard. This can be specified in a range of finishes.

There’s plenty of storage for knick-knacks and Citroen claims the glovebox is the largest in the class, too. Cleverly, the large door pockets are lined with a light material to make items easier to see. The boot is about average for this type of car, with 300 litres of luggage space.

Equipment

Even the entry-level Touch model comes with cruise control, DAB radio, Bluetooth and a USB socket. Step up to Feel and you gain alloy wheels, climate control, electric windows all round, a better stereo and an infotainment system with a seven-inch touchscreen. You also get Apple CarPlay, which lets you use the infotainment system to control certain features on your iPhone. Feel also offers the choice of a black, white or red roof, plus door handles that match the colour of the car.

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At the top of the range, Flair adds roof-coloured mirror caps and foglight surrounds, smaller versions of the ‘Airbump’ plastic body panels worn by the C4 Cactus, a leather gearknob and steering wheel, rear parking sensors and a reversing camera. Flair also includes the Citroen ConnectedCam, allowing you to record video while driving and upload it to your computer or social media.

Engines & running costs

The 2017 Citroen C3 comes with the choice of three petrol and two diesel engines. Of the petrols, the most affordable is the 67bhp 1.2-litre; both this and the slightly quicker 81bhp 1.2-litre average 60.1mpg while putting out 108-109g/km of CO2 depending on wheel size.

In terms of performance, the 69bhp model takes 14 seconds to go from 0-62mph, while 81bhp model takes 12.8 seconds. There’s also a turbocharged version of the 1.2-litre petrol, with 109bhp. This is the fastest model in the C3 range, sprinting from 0-62mph in 9.3 seconds, yet it’s also the most efficient petrol, managing 61.4mpg and 103g/km of CO2. However, it’s only available in more expensive Feel and Flair trim.

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The two diesels are 1.6-litres, offering 74 and 99bhp respectively. Even the 99bhp version manages 76.3mpg, while Citroen claims the 74bhp engine can return up to 80.7mpg. CO2 emissions are 92 and 95g/km respectively. The more powerful diesel will do 0-62mph in 10.6 seconds, while the 74bhp model gets there in 13.7 seconds.

2017 Citroen C3 pricing and on-sale date

The Citroen C3 is available now, priced from £10,995 to £17,095.