Error parsing XSLT file: \xslt\FacebookOpenGraph.xslt Citroen C3 1.2 PureTech 110 Flair Auto review
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Citroen C3 1.2 PureTech 110 Flair Auto review

Date: 19 September 2017   |   Author: Debbie Wood

Low whole-life costs
Generous standard kit
Stand-out design
Excellent PureTech petrol range

My parents always taught me that beauty is in the eye of the beholder but regardless of how you feel about the Citroen C3's looks, one thing is for certain ? it will definitely get people talking.

Its funky styling and bags of character really help the C3 stand out against more conservative rivals like the Volkswagen Polo, Seat Ibiza and Ford Fiesta, and it takes many design cues from its C4 Cactus sibling, a car that has proved a surprise hit in fleet.

But the C3 is about more than just design.

Like the Cactus, the C3 is practical with large doors pockets and a variety of storage cubbies littered around the cabin, including a useful place to store your smartphone and a reasonably sized glovebox too.

Interior

At 300 litres, the boot is bigger than in the Vauxhall Corsa and the new Fiesta, while interior space should prove plentiful for a family of four, although as in many cars in this sector adults may struggle for legroom in the rear over longer journeys.

Behind the wheel the car's fun design continues and cabin ergonomics are also well thought out, while the seats are comfortable, which makes finding an ideal seating position easy. Interior quality is a mixed bag of hard and soft plastics but because of the car's fun personality, it's unlikely to bother many.

Award-winning engine

The PSA Group's PureTech engine range is a jewel in the manufacturer's crown. Winning several awards, including the converted 'Engine of the Year' accolade for the past few years, the 1.2-litre PureTech has been a real selling point for Citroen.

Available in a trio of outputs ? 68hp, 82hp and 110hp ? we're testing the latter here, which offers plenty of pull, with 205Nm of torque and some compelling running costs too.

Booy

It's not the most refined engine in the range and can be a little noisy at times; however, the car's characterful nature further adds to its appeal and its pretty quick too, completing the 0-62mph sprint in just under ten seconds ? not bad for a turbocharged three-cylinder engine. It may lack the handling excitement of the Fiesta on the road, but the C3 is still a great car to drive and perfectly suited to city life thanks to its compact turning circle.

Our engine is paired to the firm's six-speed auto gearbox, which is a significant improvement on the Citroen autos of old. The driver can switch to manual mode if needed; however, we found the auto to be well matched to the engine and responsive, reacting quickly when the throttle is pressed. Opting for the auto does add a 7g/km penalty in CO2 ?with our test car emitting 110g/km ? and a 4mpg reduction in average fuel consumption too.

Flair trim

Sitting at the top of the C3 range is flair trim, which comes with a whole host of equipment as standard including a reversing camera, Apple CarPlay, 17in alloy wheels, LED daytime running lights, tinted rear windows and lane departure warning; very good value for money overall.

Also included in this spec is an integrated dashcam, called ConnectedCam, which takes photos and videos on the move that can then be shared online via an app. It can also be used to automatically record and keep footage in the event of a collision, which could prove invaluable in helping to reduce insurance costs. It's an innovative feature that we at BusinessCar awarded the 2017 Techie Award for Risk Management.

IMG_5264

Because the C3 costs less than its comparable Fiesta, Ibiza and Corsa rivals and offers some very low SMR costs, it's the cheapest overall in terms of whole-list costs, despite residual values being slightly off the mark.

Style doesn't always come with a compromise and this latest C3 remains the sensible choice it used to be ? except now it is a whole lot more desirable. We'd recommend fair trim, too, as it offers good value for money and while the auto gearbox is a bit pricier, for ease of use it's also a worthwhile consideration.

Citroen C3 1.2 PureTech 110 Flair Auto

P11D Price: £17,690
On sale: January 2017
Residual value: 26.4%
Depreciation: £13,015
Fuel: £5,450
Service, maintenance and repair: £1,365
Cost per mile: 45.1ppm
Fuel consumption: 57.6mpg
CO2 (BIK Band): 110g/km (21%)
BIK 20/40% a month: £62/£124
Boot space: 300 litres
Engine size/power: 1199cc/110hp

Verdict


  • Marmite looks
  • Rivals offer better interior quality
  • Limited rear passenger space
  • Low residuals

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