Quirky car’s Air of individuality
CITROEN is a firm that’s really firing on all cylinders at the moment.
The French car maker was for many years famed for its originality and design flair but subsequently went off a little off the boil, erring more towards the mainstream and producing cars that really didn’t look all that different to rivals.
Things started to get back on track with cars in its DS range – which has now become a separate luxury sub-brand – but since then models like the all-conquering C4 Cactus have demonstrated Citroen can dare to be different while also reaping dividends.
The C3 Aircross is the latest of its quirky creations and should do well.
Essentially it’s a compact SUV that’s very much out on its own in many ways, though it has plenty of competitors to contend with.
Given that SUVs have proliferated so successfully, it’s natural to assume they should come in all shapes and sizes and while once the idea of a compact SUV might have seemed almost laughable there are now a fair few to choose from and no doubt more are on the way. Citroen will have the likes of the Nissan Juke, Kia Stonic, Hyundai Kona and Seat Arona in its sights.
One of the C3 Aircross’s great strengths are looks which combine elements of traditional SUV-style chunkiness and ruggedness with something altogether modern and different. The C3 Aircross has an imposing upright stance that belies its relatively small size and those looks are further accentuated by a raft of features which help it really stand out.
Flared wheel arches with plastic cladding, a large air intake, a sharplooking grille and roof rails all add to the Aircross’s exterior character.
One of the more unusual design elements are the ‘Venetian blinds’ in the rearmost windows. No surprise that these are not actually blinds per se, but patterns that have a dual-purpose style and substance element.
Again, they help to define the character and individuality of the car but the pattern is also designed to shield rear seat passengers from the rays of the sun on hot days.
On the inside the Aircross also has something of a big car feel, which is quite a clever trick to pull off given it is essentially quite a small car.
The driving position is high, giving that essential SUV feel, and the cabin feels exceptionally open and roomy, enhanced by the fact there is a lot of glass.
The instrumentation and switch gear are modern and the quality feels and looks decent too.
Three trim levels are available, Touch, Feel and Flair, and the Aircross also offers lots of customisation opportunities through mixand-match colour schemes.
Opt for the higher-spec Feel and Flair models and many features are controlled through the 7in touchscreen which is impressively intuitive and easy to navigate your way around.
On this car it operated entertainment functions, navigation, a Bluetooth connected phone and more besides.
As always with modern Citroens there are one or two funky features which catch the eye, the stand-out one here being the aircraft-style handbrake. While it’s distinctive and different it doesn’t appear out of place or oversized.