Citroen with a quirky side
The French brand is embracing the SUV trend with the C3 Aircross, writes David Linklater.
Citroen has previously been known more for its hatchbacks and people movers than SUVs. But that’s rapidly changing: meet a completely new model for New Zealand, the C3 Aircross.
What’s an Aircross again?
That’s Citroen-speak for a newgeneration SUV/crossover, basically. You might remember the recent but very much oldgeneration C4 Aircross SUV from 2014, which was a mildly restyled Mitsubishi ASX (there was a Peugeot version too, called the 4008).
This has nothing to do with that. The C3 Aircross is one of Citroen’s new-generation models intended to capitalise on the global rise of all things SUV, as well as help return the brand to its character of comfort and quirky design.
If you’re looking for a predecessor to the C3 Aircross in the Kiwi market, consider the outgoing C4 Cactus: same size and left-of-centre sense of style, although the Aircross is visually closer to the C3 supermini.
The Aircross certainly picks up the C3 hatchback’s cheeky style and runs with it. You can have eight different body colours combined with three different roof colours combined with three exterior colour packs.
You’re pretty much free to combine whatever colours you want within those choices for the Aircross’ $34,990 price.
The only extra cost you might incur is in cabin colour and trim.
There’s a standard version in basic black, but also another four options at varying cost. Our test car had an interior package called Hype Colorado, for an extra $1500.
What’s become of the C4 Cactus then? A new model just launched has made a subtle shift away from SUV-dom and back towards conventional hatchback status. That’s a story for another time (but soon).
It’s a jacked up C3 hatchback then?
Not exactly. The C3 Aircross does not share any exterior body panels or interior architecture with the C3 hatchback. The platform is not technically the same either, although they’re closely related.
The basis of both is a platform called PSA PF1, although the C3’s is changed enough that PeugeotCitroen renamed it PSA A. The Aircross’ underpinnings are shared with another small SUV called the Opel Crossland X, from a partnership between PeugeotCitroen and Opel that has developed into full ownership of the latter by the former.
Confused? Us too . . . a bit. But the Opel thing is worth mentioning because it explains why the C3 Aircross is built at an Opel plant in Spain rather than in France.
Is the driving experience as colourful as the paint job?
It has loads of character, thanks mainly to the outstanding 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbo engine under the bonnet. It’s strong and sounds really sweet – not to mention the fact it loves a little rev when you’re in the mood.
Otherwise, the C3 Aircross doesn’t pretend to be particularly sporty. You sit quite upright, SUVstyle, the steering is light and the chassis competent but not exactly fluid.
Citroen says its new-generation models are comfort-focused and that sounds just fine to us. But the Aircross isn’t quite there; it certainly doesn’t have the Progressive Hydraulic Cushion (PHC) suspension just introduced on the C4 Cactus (yep, more on that another time).
The chassis is well controlled, but on the open road it feels almost too stiff: the suspension crashes into corrugations and while body roll is well contained, the price is a slightly brittle feel to the suspension at speed on roads that Citroen C3 Aircross
Base price: $34,990. Powertrain and performance: 1.2-litre turbo-petrol four, 81kW/ 205Nm, 6-speed automatic, FWD, Combined economy 5.5 litres per 100km, 0-100kmh 11.8 seconds. Vital statistics: 4155mm long, 1630mm high, 2604mm wheelbase, luggage capacity 410-520 litres (rear seats slide), 17-inch alloy wheels with 215/50 tyres.
We like: Sense of styling fun, character-packed powertrain, flexible interior space.
We don’t like: Super-light steering, ride doesn’t quite live up to comfort-first ethos. aren’t perfectly smooth. We’d prefer more body roll and a softer overall setup for this little Citroen, which would be more on-brand.
So the C3 Aircross lacks a little polish, but you have to remember that this is a $35k city car. The powertrain is huge fun and the dynamics decent for its intended use. Plus it’s a real head-turner.
So while the dynamic experience has a few flaws, the actual user experience is pretty awesome. It’s a feel-good machine.
It’s all about urban fashion then. Is it useful as well?
You’d be surprised. It’s a clever piece of packaging, the C3 Aircross. The tall body makes for an airy occupant space and the rear seats/boot offer a lot of flexibility. The rear chairs can slide fore and aft to liberate from 410 to 520 litres cargo space – that latter figure enough to rival much larger SUVs.
If you don’t want to give up rear legroom but want to maximise rear cargo space, you can adjust the backrests between three angles.
The boot floor can be removed for a variety of purposes.
Take it out and you have maximum luggage space, but it can also be repositioned at an angle tilted down towards the seat backrests, to form a secure cubby for loose items (like bagless groceries, especially bottles).
Put the false floor back in and you have a flat load-through to the folded rear seats. And a really long load-through if you want, because you can also collapse the front passenger seat to take advantage of the full cabin length – thus turning the Aircross into a driveronly van.
Any other cars I should consider?
If you’ve got a thing for funky French SUVs there’s the Renault Captur of course. Or if you like the Spanish connection, we really like the Seat Arona.
The Mini Countryman is a bit out of the C3 Aircross’ price range, but the Citroen could be considered an SUV alternative to the standard Mini hatchback.
All of the above are European cars with three-cylinder engines and a trendy twist, but that $35k sticker also puts the C3 Aircross into the mainstream against the likes of the Hyundai Kona or Toyota C-HR.