The Citroen C3 Aircross is a five-door family MPV that is still being sold in Europe, Latin America, and China. Citroen didn’t bring the C3 Aircross to the US market, but Citroen has been absent from the US market since the 1970s anyway. The C3 Aircross is a well-rounded car for an MPV, but is Citroen C3 Aircross a good car?
The Citroen C3 Aircross is a really good car for what it is because it offers everything a family may need. The engines on offer are fairly refined and really efficient, but they aren’t the most powerful MPV engines out there. The car looks decent inside and out, especially higher-end models which come with a decent amount of equipment.
The driving experience is more or less the same as with any other MPV out there which is exactly what most people want. The car is fairly soft and able to tackle road undulations really well. Reliability-wise, the C3 Aircross is okay, but there are some issues we are going to mention that you should consider if you are interested in buying it.
Value-wise, the C3 Aircross is really good for what it is as it is both attainable to buy and cheap to run. Practicality is great as is the case with all cars from this segment. The car offers enough space for everyone and the trunk space is also more than enough.
Citroen C3 Aircross – The powertrain
The Citroen C3 Aircross comes with a few diesel and gasoline engine options. Earlier C3 Aircross comes come with either 3-cylinder or 4-cylinder small displacement engines with power fluctuating between 82hp and 130hp for the most powerful 1.2L engine. Diesel engines range from 1.5L to 1.6L 4-cylinder units with either 100hp or 120hp.
The newer facelifted current C3 Aircross comes with a 1.2L 3-cylinder engine with power outputs of either 110hp or 130hp. It also gets a single diesel engine, a 1.5L 4-cylinder with either 100hp or 120hp. All units come with a front-wheel-drive setup and can be had wither either the standard manual gearbox or the upgraded automatic gearbox.
Efficiency is really good as the C3 Aircross can return up to 55MPG for best diesel engines or around 45MPG for gasoline engines. All in all, the engines with the C3 Aircross are efficient, smooth, and fairly quiet which makes the C3 feel really refined and well-rounded.
Citroen C3 Aircross – Design and chassis
The C3 Aircross was first revealed in the early 2010s when it replaced the C3 Picasso. The Aircross was presented as a more youthful, more futuristic, and more modern-looking version of the C3 Picasso. As such, the exterior styling is a bit more exciting while the interior got a hefty redesign which made it look a bit cooler.
The C3 Aircross drives pretty much like any other family MPV which means that it is comfortable to a good degree. It is not a luxury car by any means, but it does do the trick for most people. It rolls into corners and it experiences body roll a lot which is usually what you get with family MPVs.
Citroen C3 Aircross – Reliability and common issues
When it comes to reliability, the C3 Aircross is okay. It does suffer from a few issues that are common with many other Citroen models. These issues include problems with either injectors or injector sensors which cause engine misfiring and rough idling. Loss of acceleration is caused by a bunch of reasons such as dirty filters and mass air flow/O2 sensors.
Issues with steering alignment and tire wear are also fairly common with C3 Aircross models in addition to certain issues with the transmission. Finally, the car’s electrical systems are known to fail on many C3 Aircross models.
Citroen C3 Aircross – Value and practicality
Value-wise, the Citroen C3 Aircross is more than good as many of these models can be had for a really attainable price, especially on the 2nd hand market. There aren’t too many trim levels to choose from and it makes sense to go for a fully equipped model as this is the type of car most people tend to keep for a while. It does everything you need from a family van, so why change it?
Practicality is also really good because the car offers lots of seating and trunk space. Visibility is great and so are the ergonomics and in-car controls. The car is easy to get in and out of and it is really easy to fit a child seat into it.
FAQ Section
Should I buy a Citroen C3 Aircross?
If you are after a nicely proportioned family transporter that isn’t too large nor too expensive, the Citroen C3 Aircross could be the perfect car for you. It is a well-rounded car thanks to its suite of sophisticated and efficient engines, contemporary design inside and out, and enough equipment to satisfy even the geeky customers.
On the other hand, it may not be an exciting car to some, and it surely isn’t a luxury car by any means. Cars such as the C3 Aircross are designed for people who want practicality, ease of use, and affordability as these cars are fairly cheap to run in regards to fuel costs.
Is the Citroen C3 Aircross a safe car?
The Citroen C3 Aircross is a certified 5-star safety-rated car which means that it easily satisfies all the modern safety standards. It is a car with state-of-the-art crash protection systems that are designed to keep you and your passengers safe during a crash.
It also comes with a plethora of software safety features that not only help you in an event of a crash, yet also try to avoid it if possible.
Is the Citroen C3 Aircross an SUV?
The Citroen C3 Aircross is not an SUV, it is a family MPV (multi-purpose vehicle) because it hauls both people and cargo easily. It also isn’t available with an AWD system which is not exactly something you’d ever expect from an SUV.
The “SUV” abbreviation stands for a sport utility vehicle and the C3 is not sporty nor utilitarian, at least not as true SUVs are.
