Most crossovers have five seats and a boot. Citroën hasn’t taken a different approach with the new, and now larger, C3 Aircross. The only divergence is perhaps within the model itself. I’d know this after having lived with the previous generation during the coronavirus pandemic lockdown.
In 2024, Stellantis launched a new India-built Citroën C3 Aircross in SA that was R105,000 cheaper than the previous Europe-sourced model.
The Citroën C3 Aircross is based on the C3 hatchback but slightly larger with a higher-riding suspension. The usual double chevron brand’s quirky styling elements are not prioritised this time, though there’s some charm to its styling. It’s available in five other colour options with contrasting roofs besides the test car’s black and white.
It’s now a straightforward, family focused offering that’s available in three trim levels: the 1.2 Plus model with a manual gearbox and a nonturbo engine, and the pair of range-topping 1.2T Max model on test. All models on sale stretch out 4,323mm in length.
The new-generation car is 169mm longer than its predecessor with 67mm more wheelbase. This is enough to do something that was impossible in the old car — creating space for seven occupants, such is the upsurge in room. For a R10k premium you can get the same model with an extra pair of rear seats.
The spacious cabin has generous leg room for all, but with a no frills, two-tone dashboard. The plastic materials in the India-built car aren’t the best and have a tinny and scratchy feel, creating an econo-vibe that would feel foreign in the Europe-built model it replaces. My lockdown partner was not a luxury crossover but it had panels, material quality and noise suppression of a better quality.
The manually-operated seats are cloth-covered and comfy, while the rear bench folds to create loading space equal to 839l in total. Without the rearmost seats to fill, the 444l boot that remains is large and useful, but there is no electric tailgate option.
There is also a multifunction steering wheel, 10-inch touch-infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a seven-inch TFT screen and two USB ports while standard expectations include electric windows and outside windows, central locking, manual air conditioning, 12V socket, temperature indicator, LED daytime lights and fog lamps.
The drivetrain is a turbocharged 1.2l petrol three-cylinder engine paired with six-speed automatic transmission. Outputs are 81kW and 205Nm of torque, which pulls decently but is noisy in operation. The test car averaged a fuel consumption of 7.2l/100km, though the company says 6.3l/100km is possible.
The car handles steadily on the roads with good body control and fair damping qualities. It’s not an entertaining drive, nor is it a cruiser as evidenced by the lack of a cruise control function. The 200mm ground clearance means it can trundle safely on gravel or climb pavements and it’s rated to tow 800kg on a braked trailer.
Safety and driver assistance systems include hill-hold, ESP, tyre pressure monitor, rear parking sensors and camera, front airbags and rear occupant sensors.
The C3 Aircross has become Stellantis’s second-best selling car (behind the C3 hatch) in a competitive B-SUV segment, which includes rivals such as the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro, Kia Seltos and Volkswagen T-Cross.
The five-seat Citroën C3 Aircross 1.2 Max sells for R369,900 and comes with a five-year/100,000km warranty and a four-year/60,000km service plan.
I’d recommend it to soccer moms and dads for the option to fit the two extra seats for R10,000, and the standard fitment automatic transmission for ease of use in gridlocked school run traffic.
If you are on a budget, the R90,000 cheaper C3 Aircross 1.2 Plus presents an even better bargain with a non-turbo engine.
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