TAKE IT TO FUNKY TOWN
Show off in Citroen’s small and zippy city SUV
Citroen’s long been purveyor of coolness and innovation, and the new C3 Aircross small SUV is no different. The brand’s struggled to sell cars in Australia in recent years, so it’s culled its line-up to just three models and banished the bland.
Our family of four test the pricey but quirky Shine version to see whether it challenges this quality-packed segment.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
IAIN: As you’re French, no doubt you understand and appreciate Citroen’s kookiness?
JULES: Naturellement. A lot of car brands pretend their SUVs have “truly unique” styling but most end up looking the same. Citroen’s been pushing avant-garde quirkiness for moe than a century.
IAIN: So the new C3 Aircross honours the badge?
JULES: I love it. There’s an expression in French: M’as-tu-vu. It basically means “Have you seen me?” and I reckon it works perfectly for Citroen drivers, especially of this C3 Aircross.rcross.
IAIN: It certainly demands attention.ention. But really, where’s the colour? Youu can get these in blue, red, grey and whiteite with contrasting colours but our blackack and silver one lacks flair.
JULES: You’re right, it deserveses something brighter. But chunkyky silver and grey body bits, plus venetian blind-type stickers foror the rear window are cool.
IAIN: It’s chunky but isn’t a bigg thing. Compared to its small SUV rival Mazda CX-3 it’s a fairir bit shorter but noticeably taller.er.
JULES: So much more characterful than a Mazda CX-X-3. Bold 17-inch alloys, two-tier lightsghts and it looks a lot higher off thee ground. Style is really cutesy and not naff, thankfully.
IAIN: You French love to overcharge. And not just for yourour perfumes, handbags and shoes.s. One of these drive-away is nearlyarly $37,000.
JULES: Wowsers. I guess we Frenchrench are reassuringly expensive.
IAIN: In Citroen’s defence, Australian buyers eschew cheapie versions. If we’re going to buy French, we like them loaded and the C3 Aircross is certainly that.
THE LIVING SPACE
JULES: Surprisingly big inside. You sit high and upright, outward vision is great and there’s huge headroom. IAIN: Citroen’s cleverly packaged this car. It’s not long but there are loads of rear legroom and headroom. Two adults fit, no worries. JULES: Good design effort up front too. There’s a big touchstouchscreen, air vents are colourful, plus tthere are wireless phone chargcharging and head-up display. LoveLovely steering wheel too. IAIN: IAIN Pack your blind patriotism away a moment … JULES: JULE I knew you’d find somsomething. IA IAIN: The door tops are big sslabs of hard plastic, tarnishing tthe classy feel. The huge ggearshifter is too clunky and why fit a massive handbrake that looks like a Boeing 747’s tthrottle? J JULES: For this money, an elelectric handbrake should be fitfitted. There’s barely any space fofor my espresso. IA IAIN: Also, why put tetemperature adjustment ththrough the touchscreen? FFrustratingly slow to respond.
THE TH COMMUTE
JULES: JUL Fun to look at, fun to drive. It’s a happy car. IAIN: PPretty comfy too. It absorbs bumps well, the cabin’s well insulainsulated and it cruises on the highhighway with no fuss. It just needs raradar cruise control . JULES: The engine needs more ppower. It sounds a bit sick, too.
IAIN: No, no. It’s gravelly because it’s a threecylinder turbo. I reckon it has a lovely thrum and character to it. Not quick though. Rest to 100km/h takes more than 10 seconds.
THE SHOPPING
JULES: It’s too stylish for the Coles carpark. It looked happier outside French boutiques.
IAIN: Boot big enough for something haute couture plus the weekly shop?
JULES: The boot is ample rather than huge. The rear seats fold flat to lay down dresses from Paris, just so you know.
SUNDAY RUN
IAIN: What it lacks in speed it makes up for in balance and grip. Throw it into corners and its high ride height is obvious but it holds on beautifully and the steering is a lightweight treat. It’s good fun.
JULES: It’s zippy enough in town and I’d want weekend drives to be parking in fashionable districts going for a picnic. It’d even manage a bit of basic off-roading.
THE FAMILY
IAIN: Good seat space for our two kids but being a small SUV there’s no chance of getting both their bikes in. May be the same problem fitting a newborn’s pram.
JULES: Safety’s excellent. Auto braking, blind spot monitor and it always has a symbol showing you the speed limit. The lane departure warning is good — but likes to beep annoyingly. It tells you off, then tells you off again.
IAIN: High-beam headlights automatically dip, there’s a head-up display and an overhead parking camera. Nice inclusions.
JULES: We returned 6.7L/100km, which is excellent for mainly town driving.
IAIN: It needs pricier 95 RON. The five-year warranty’s good but servicing gets expensive.
THE VERDICT
JULES: Vive la difference! I’m won over by the C3 Aircross’s style, funky touches and genuine joy to drive. I know it has lots of inclusions but nearly $37,000 drive-away is too much. I suppose that’s the price for individuality.
IAIN: Agreed but I can solve that. Get a Citroen C3 hatch with similar style, same engine and decent inclusions for $10,000 less. We don’t all need high-riding SUVs. If you do get a C3 Aircross though, find $595 extra for a fun colour. Blue with white details is the right choice.