The front has become tougher, more masculine, more aggressive and more mainstream. The C3 Aircross still appears as a practical and unpretentious car – a high-built small car with family car characteristics.
SUV and lifestyle
Let me quote what I wrote about the predecessor:
It was meant positively. Many want a practical and unsnobbish car - a vehicle that exudes lifestyle. Today's model no longer has any toy car character. Citroen has created a more mature SUV design. Thus, the car appeals to a larger group of buyers. There are still options to specify the color of the roof, and contrasting color of the mirror housing, graphics on the rear side window and parts of the front spoiler.
The news in a nutshell
The biggest changes are in the front. Otherwise, there are few changes to report. I notice new decoration on the rear side window and new rims - probably depending on the level of equipment. Inside, the cool handbrake from the predecessor has been replaced with a normal handbrake lever. The infotainment screen is larger than before. Parts of the driver assistance systems have also been improved. They are on par with what you find in "all" new family cars today. Engines and gearboxes are the same as before. I note that the 1,2 PureTech 110 engine is no longer offered with an automatic transmission. It can now only be combined with the 130 horse.
Engines
The car belongs to my brother-in-law, Henrich. It is equipped with the 130 HP PureTech engine and automatic transmission (EAT6). Equipment level is the Shine Pack with, among other things, a panoramic sunroof and the best seats. The PSA group's 3-cylinder engine emits a rather distinct 3-cylinder sound when pushed, but that is rarely needed with the 130 horse. The automatic transmission keeps the revs down in the high-torque rev range. The engine feels powerful and you only hear a pleasant, faint hum. Drives like this do not invite high revs and sporty driving - not even when the gearbox is in sport mode. But the C3 Aircross is far from a slouch when you need to get up to speed quickly, such as accelerating onto a motorway.
Modern drivetrain
Almost all car manufacturers now offer the same type of petrol-based drivetrain as in Henrich's car. Powerful engine, small displacement, turbo and automatic transmission. A typical characteristic of 3-cylinder engines is vibrations at low revs and at idle. The start & stop system means that the engine fades out when standing still. There is no noticeable turbo lag normal commissioning. The drivetrain works amazingly smoothly as long as the car follows programmed driving patterns, but it can easily get out of order. Imagine you are entering a roundabout - hesitate for a brief moment before choosing to accelerate directly in front of a crossing vehicle. The drive unit will then be able to easily hang back - take a few seconds to decide - before it gets up to steam. Annoying – but typical for drivetrains of this type.
Lots of SUV feeling
Citroen calls the C3 Aircross an SUV – not a crossover. I agree. On the road, the car feels like a proper SUV – bigger than it really is. I sit high, have a good sense of space and a chassis that elegantly captures all unevenness. I'm generally skeptical of the stability of tall, light cars like this, but the C3 AIrcross feels perfectly safe. The steering is not super sharp. It feels like you are sitting some distance from the wheels (increased SUV feeling), but I still have alright steering feel. Like many of the SUVs I've driven recently, it's important to be able to drive a bit actively on winding and hilly roads, - not to enter the bends too fast - so that you can give gas on the way out. If not, the car can easily start rolling. On country roads and Spanish motorways at 120 km/h, the comfort is fantastically good. A mile-eater of class!
Family package
Last time When I wrote about the C3 Aircross, I emphasized the car's characteristics as a family car. It is the versatility and the use of space that I am thinking of. The rear seats can be pushed forward to get more luggage. The passenger seat has fold-down backrests. The luggage compartment with the seats folded down is not huge - but 410 liters is very good for a car that is only 4,15 meters long. By pushing the rear seats forward, the luggage compartment can be increased to 520 under the hat shelf. However, with a maximum roof load of 40 kg, it is not suitable for all types of roof boxes.
Conclusion
The Citroen C3 Aircross has 2 competitors from the same car group – the Opel Crossland and the Peugeot 2008. All are affordable and safe purchases. The choice may fall on look-and-feel – and which car do you want to be seen in? The apple-shaped Peugeot? Or the side-slung Opel? Then I would like to repeat what I have previously written about the Citroen C3 Aircross: It is a car you buy because you need a high-built small car – and want it to look like just that.
Practical and unfussy SUV with family car characteristics.
About the pictures
The photos were taken on a small excursion to Lac-de-la-Raho in the Pyrenees-Orientales, France. The lake is artificially dammed and is surrounded by a walkway measuring 6150 metres. We covered it in 1 hour and 20 minutes in 25 degrees Celsius and quite a bit of headwind. After the trip we stopped by KFC in Perpignan for a bucket of crispy fried chicken nuggets. Colonel Sanders never disappoints!
Facts about the Citroen C3 Aircross PureTech 130
Weights and Measures
Length, width, height: 416 / 177 / 164 cm
Wheelbase: 260 cm
Net weight: 1205 kg (without driver)
Max payload: 555 kg
Max trailer weight with brakes: 840 kg
– without brakes: 600 kg
Luggage compartment: 410-520 litres
Max roof load: 40 kg
Drivetrain
Engine: 1,2 PureTech 130 Start & Stop
Number of cylinders: 3
Displacement: 1199 ccm
Power: 130 HP at 5500 revs
Torque: Max 230 Nm at 1750 revolutions.
Gearbox: 6-speed automatic (EAT6)
Front wheel drive.
Performances
Top speed: 195 km/h
0-100: 9,2 seconds
consumption
City: 0,59 litres/mile
Country road: 0,45 litres/mile
Combined: 0,50 litres/mile
Own measurement: 0,50-0,55 litres/mile
Tires
Dimension: 215/50R17 91H
Type: Summer tire
Brand: Bridgestone Turanza
Price and equipment
C3 Aircross Shine Pack 1,2 PureTech 130 EAT6: 349
Paint supplement (Black Perla Nera): NOK 5
Grip Control and Hill Descent Assist: NOK 3 (recommended)
About the car
Place of manufacture: Zaragoza, Spain
Owner: Private
Model: 2021
Mileage: New
Km driven: 210
Source: Citroen.no
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