The Citroën C1 is a car designed for tight city streets, narrow parking spaces, and easy maneuverability which means that it was a really popular car in Europe. Citroën recently announced that they are discontinuing the C1 after a fairly good run. Citroën says that they managed to sell 1.2 million of these between 2005 and 2022. So, is Citroën C1 a good car?
The Citroën C1 is a good car for what it was designed to do which is to be a decent city get-around. It is a fairly affordable, easy-to-live-with car that can do whatever you want it to. On the other hand, it is not the most spacious, nor the most practical overall because it isn’t all that big in any way, shape, or form. However, this comes with the territory.
The engines on offer are all efficient and really small. You can choose between a manual and an automatic gearbox depending on what you want more. The C1 design really isn’t anything special both inside and out but the latest C1 does look interesting to say the least. The driving experience is just like any other car this size.
Reliability is decent, but there are some issues worth talking about. Value-wise, the C1 is really good as it is a really affordable car, especially on the 2nd hand market. Practicality could be better, but all cars from this segment suffer from a lack of space.
Citroën C1 – The powertrain
The Citroën C1 comes in a few different engine sizes and variations. All engines are gas-powered in-line 3-cylinder engines. The entry-level version is the 1.0L in-line 3-cylinder engine with either 69hp for the 2014 model year or 72hp for the very latest 1.0L 3-cylinder C1 models. The C1 is also available with a 1.5L gasoline in-line 3-cylinder with 82hp.
As mentioned in the beginning, you can choose between a manual or an automatic transmission depending on what you value more. All C1 models are front-wheel-drive, and all of them are quiet, relatively smooth, and really efficient. You can expect up to 60MPG combined which is a really strong number.
The C1 is not a sports car by any means, but it also isn’t slow considering it only gets 82hp max. The top speed is 106mph which is more than enough for everyday needs.
Citroën C1 – Design and chassis
The Citroën C1 is not going to win any design awards as that is obvious the moment you lay your eyes on it. It looks like any other regular small city car which means that there is nothing all that special about it. The interior is functional and laid out ergonomically which means that everything is close and easy to reach.
The driving experience is also nothing special as the C1 drives without much character. It is a fairly comfortable car which means that the suspension and chassis tuning is calibrated really well. All in all, it is a really good car that isn’t going to rival premium comfortable cars anytime soon, but it will do the trick for most people.
Citroën C1 – Reliability and common issues
When it comes to reliability, we can say that the C1 is decent, but it needs constant maintenance if you want it to last any significant amount of time. These cars are known for their tricky and often faulty electrics which certainly do require timely and thorough maintenance.
The most common Citroën C1 issues are associated with the electronics, the equipment, the seat belts, the transmission, and the car not wanting to start. These are typically associated with higher mileage examples which means that you should be okay with a car that is under warranty or is freshly out of it.
Citroën C1 – Value and practicality
The C1 can be had for a really affordable price which means that almost everyone can afford to buy one. Used examples can be had for only a few thousand dollars which certainly is a really attractive price. The C1 is now discontinued so finding a new one could prove to be a bit tricky.
Practicality-wise, the C1 is as good as all the other cars in this segment. This means that it lacks space for taller drivers and that it lacks trunk space for those who like to pack heavy. All in all, it is a car great for city driving because it uses very little fuel and because the overall visibility and maneuverability are really good.
FAQ Section
Is the Citroën C1 discontinued?
As we speak, there are no new Citroën C1 models which means that the last examples left the factory about a few months ago. The reason why Citroën killed off the C1 is that they want to replace it with a car that better suits the modern era of electrification and decarbonization.
The Citroën Ami is the successor to the C1 and is positioned as a cheap and easy-to-live-with city electric scooter/car. Citroën plans to sell a ton of these, especially in places such as the south of France where these little go-getters fit in perfectly.
Which cars rival the Citroën C1?
The subcompact hatchback segment is still very alive thanks to cars such as the Citroën C1, the Peugeot 108, the Kia Picanto, the Hyundai i10, the Skoda Citigo, and the VW UP! The Toyota Aygo is also a really popular car in this segment and according to the latest estimates, these are still selling really well.
However, the modern era of decarbonized transportation means that most of these small city runners are likely to be replaced with electric small cars as that is the better idea overall.
Is the Citroën C1 a noisy car?
It looks like many people complained about the C1 being a bit too noisy. However, it seems like this is not due to a loud engine, it is more due to a loud exhaust system. All in all, this can be dealt with, but people aren’t satisfied when they buy a nearly new or a new car that sounds like it has been around for decades.
