Overview

There’s no doubt about it – small SUVs are the compact family cars of today, and every manufacturer needs one to compete. So if you’re looking at Citroen’s model lineup, you may find your eye drawn to the C3 Aircross.

First launched in 2017, the C3 Aircross unsurprisingly shares a lot with the Citroen C3 hatchback – but is taller, more practical and with beefier styling. It was facelifted in 2021 with a sleeker look and updated technology, though remains one of the Stellantis group’s older designs.

The C3 Aircross does feel a little like the runt of the litter when you look at its rivals. In-house competition from the likes of the Vauxhall Mokka shows off the current generation of the manufacturing giant’s platforms and technology. Outside of Stellantis, we like the Ford Puma – so much so that we gave it an award for being the best small family car. There’s also the Skoda Kamiq, which offers exceptional practicality in a sturdy package.

The C3 Aircross competes with a very reasonable price, efficient engines, and head-turning styling plus a healthy dose of practicality.

There are three trim levels available. All get a touchscreen which controls most of the features, including climate control. Base-spec cars are called C-Series Edition and come well-equipped – there’s climate control, cruise control, rear parking sensors and blacked-out alloy wheels and roof bars. Citroen only offers this model in monochrome paint shades, however, and exclusively with the base-spec engine.

Mid-spec Shine cars gain access to the rest of the engine range – including an automatic gearbox and even, unusually, a diesel. Additional decals on the outside mark it out and a larger 9.0-inch touchscreen makes life inside a little easier. The top of the range is Shine Plus, which upgrades the 16-inch alloy wheels to 17-inch affairs, adds a black roof and Citroen’s ‘Advanced Comfort’ front seats.

Keep reading to find out what we make of the Citroen C3 Aircross’ practicality, interior, running costs and driving dynamics before we give our definitive verdict.