Written by Seth Walton Updated: 8 February 2025

Overview

The Citroen C3 Aircross family SUV has been given the real SUV treatment. Its edges have been sharpened and its bonnet raised, giving the model a stockier and tougher look. The transformation is reminiscent of the Renault Captur’s 2024 update, but unique to the new C3 Aircross is the option for seven seats – a first for this size of car. 

The new C3 Aircross is longer and wider than the old model, and thus more spacious inside. It’s available with a couple of engine options including a hybrid, while an electric option is also now offered – the e-C3 Aircross. Rivals include the very closely related Vauxhall Frontera, the bargain Dacia Jogger and the new Renault Captur from elsewhere in the Île-de-France region.

But don’t be fooled into thinking this latest edition left its cut-rate spirit back in 2024. It’s priced from just over £20k, and though the budget nature of the car shows in some respects, the new C3 Aircross is still excellent value for money.   

Read on to find everything you need to know about the Citroen C3 Aircross, or head over to our how we test cars page to find out how we reached our verdict. 

What’s it like inside?

The 2025 Citroen C3 Aircross has a revised interior design that’s both eccentric in its styling and usefully practical in its arrangement. The set-back horizontal instrument panel layout is typically French, and a diverse array of surface textures do well to break up the surrounding areas.

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To the right-hand side of the instrument panel (left if you’re reading this from the UK), are a couple of shelves to store whichever miscellaneous items you brought into the car with you.

Owing to the new C3 Aircross’ van-like proportions and silhouette, headroom is excellent both in the front and the back of the car. I’d recommend staying away from the seven-seater version unless you desperately need the extra capacity and on a tight budget.

The seats back there had me sat pretty much on the floor, and leg room is near non-existent. The seven-seater configuration also sacrifices 130 litres of boot space with the third-row seats folded compared to the standard boot of the five-seater. Doesn’t seem worth it to me. 

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Overall, the cabin’s layout, arrangment and build is a decent effort. It feels primed for family life and a little harsh in places, but I don’t think you’d have many complaints at the car’s price point.

What’s it like to drive?

The last C3 Aircross did not have Citroen’s clever hydraulic cushion dampers, and we found the ride to be a little crashy. Fortunately, the new car does come with the tech equipped, and it truly benefits the way the car drives. Without being too springy or bouncy, the Citroen C3 Aircross irons the road out with a deft aptitude.

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It floats along the road at a rock-steady level, and even corners okay despite the lofty height and squared-squared off shape. The steering is a little too light and lazy to enthuse any dynamic driving, but still it feels like a well-engineered car when you put it through the bends – calm and composed.

Of the two power options available, I tested the more powerful 136hp automatic version. Even this engine felt rather sluggish, though initial getaway was helped by the electrical power of the hybrid system.

I suspect that the 99hp engine would simply feel too slow, and especially when pulling onto motorways or away from roundabouts when you really need to get shifting in a hurry. For the sake of attentuating your anxiety in these situations, I would recommend opting for the more powerful hybrid engine if you can.

What models and trims are available?

The 2025 Citroen C3 Aircross trim range is split int two grades: PLUS and MAX. Base-spec PLUS trim starts from just £20,240 which makes it excellent value for money, even with the 99hp engine and manual gearbox pairing.

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For your money, you get the 10.25-inch infotainment display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, along with several safety functions including hill start assist, active lane departure warning, and rear parking sensors with a rear parking camera.

MAX trim, which starts from £25,740, introduces blind spot detection, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel and a one-year subscription to Citroen’s navigation service. As part of the package, owners receive Real Time Traffic & Speedcam data, among other features.