Should you buy one?

Based on our drive of this pre-production Citroen C3, this most certainly looks to be a promising new entrant to the small class, which – despite what you might hear about its decline – remains popular. 

This new C3 is a big improvement over its predecessor, making big strides when it comes to spaciousness, interior look and feel and powertrain choice, yet all while retaining its affordable cost. It’s most certainly a car to watch for later in 2024. 

What we like

We love that Citroen has managed to keep the C3’s cost low, with its £17,790 starting price undercutting many of its rivals – except the Dacia Sandero. You get plenty for your money too, including a generous equipment list and spacious rear seats, while the comfort and ride quality are easily among the best of any small car. 

What we don’t like

The focus on comfort means that the C3 is not the sharpest car to drive – a Renault Clio is a better all-rounder behind the wheel – but some might prefer this to live with the Citroen’s comfort. There are slight quality concerns but these can be forgiven for the low price, while the boot isn’t the most useful, even by small car standards.