Citroen C3 Aircross Mileage Comparison: Petrol vs Turbo Petrol

The Citroën C3 Aircross has been a bold move in the compact SUV sector, with its unusual and distinctive styling, smooth ride comfort, and practicality-driven ethos. It is a sensible SUV that offers a good value proposition, particularly with the availability of the 5 and 7-seater configurations. The decision for the prospective buyer is typically based on the power unit, as the C3 Aircross is fitted with a 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol unit, as well as the more powerful 1.2-litre turbo petrol unit. It is a critical decision that impacts the motoring performance, as well as the in-real-life C3 Aircross mileage and continuing cost of ownership.

This in-depth buyer’s guide, for the 2025 model year, is here to simplify your car-buying decision. We will peer behind the official claims to provide you with an open, data-driven analysis of the in-the-real-world fuel economy of each variant. We’ll also compare the long-term cost of ownership, the initial outgo, and the practical pros and cons of each power plant.

The Powertrains: Comparison of Two 1.2-Litre Engines

The Citroen C3 Aircross is offered with two petrol engines that, while sharing the same displacement, have fundamentally different characteristics.

1.2-litre Naturally Aspirated Petrol

This is the base engine of the C3 Aircross. It’s a 1.2L, three-cylinder motor that puts out a humble 81 bhp of power and 115 Nm of torque. By design, the engine is meant to be affordable and reliable, making it an excellent pick for urban driving, where the linear delivery of the power is smooth and easy to deal with. It has a distinctive three-banger aural note, but it’s adequately managed in the cabin during low speeds. You can only have this variant with a 6-speed manual gearbox, and it’s the ideal pairing with its light-duty, in-city nature. Such a simple-to-design engine means that it’s cheap to maintain in the long run, and there’s also a long-term feel of it being reliable, something that’s paramount to many buyers. In full loads, though, the motor tends to feel a tad slow, particularly on hills, as it will need to downshift constantly to keep the momentum going.

1.2-litre Turbo Petrol

This is the performance-focused version. It’s a 1.2L, three-cylinder turbocharged motor that provides a huge boost in power and torque. It churns out a hearty 108.62bhp of power and 190 Nm of torque (205 Nm for the auto). The turbo comes into its own, giving you a smooth ride on the motorway and making overtaking easy work. You can have this motor with a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed torsource auto, providing a large boost to performance as well as convenience. The low-end grunt of the turbo is a significant advantage for both city crawling and motorway cruising, as it doesn’t require as high a rev to produce power.

Official vs. Real-World Mileage (as of 2025)

The ARAI figures provide a standardised benchmark, but real-world performance is what truly matters. The figures below are a compilation of owner feedback and professional tests.

Though the turbo manual has a greater ARAI claim, its in-real-life mileage is comparable to the naturally aspirated petrol. A more aggressive driving attitude, encouraged by the power of the turbo motor, can cancel out its natural efficiency. Of the lot, the turbo automatic is the least efficient, a direct swap for its convenience. In the turbo petrol trims, the best way to extract the highest mileage is to drive with a gentle foot and make the most of the mid-range’s torque-rich without driving the car too hard.

Financial Breakdown: Cost per Km and Break-Even Analysis

The most crucial part of the comparison is the long-term running cost. Let’s use approximate mid-2025 petrol prices in Pune for our calculations.

• Fuel Price: Petrol: ₹104.14/litre
• Cost per Km (Based on Real-World Averages):
  • 1.2L Petrol Manual: ₹104.14 / 14.5 km/l = ₹7.18/km
  • 1.2L Turbo Manual: ₹104.14 / 14.5 km/l = ₹7.18/km
  • 1.2L Turbo Automatic: ₹104.14 / 12.5 km/l = ₹8.33/km

Manual versions have the same running costs, so the decision is purely on the initial cost of purchase and performance. Automatic is the highest cost per kilometre to run.

Now, let’s consider the initial purchase price, which is a major factor.

• Price Premium (Ex-showroom, approximate):
  • 1.2L Turbo vs 1.2L Petrol: The turbo variant is priced approximately ₹3.5 lakh higher.
  • 1.2L Turbo AT vs 1.2L Turbo Manual: The automatic variant is priced approximately ₹1.3 lakh higher.

The break-even point is not a financial consideration for the turbo manual, as its mileage is the same as that of the naturally aspirated petrol. The decision is purely a trade-off for performance.

Performance, Practicality, and the Driving Experience

1.2L Petrol

This engine is ideal for inexperienced drivers or those who spend most of their time in the city. Power delivery is linear and foreseeable, and the light clutch and easy-to-use manual gearbox make it simple to drive in heavy traffic conditions. For its purpose, the engine is adequate, providing sufficient power to deal with daily journeys and the occasional short excursions. It can feel underpowered on the motorway and often needs to downshift to accelerate to overtake, even with an empty load in the car. Boot space is a reasonable 444 litres in the 5-seater version.

1.2L Turbo

This is the version for the enthusiast who wants more power. The mid-range is robust on this motor, and the turbocharger provides a comforting boost of power. A pleasure to drive, the manual is a 6-speed, and quick and positive in the automatic 6-speed torque converter. This is a great option for a more lively drive. 5+2 seating is exclusive to the turbo petrol model, making it a more sensible option for larger families. A significant gain in convenience and comfort on the drive comes with the torque converter automatic, and the car feels more luxurious and refined as a consequence compared to its naturally aspirated sibling. City traffic is dispatched with ease, and the ride is smoother as a result.

The Verdict: Which C3 Aircross is for You?

For the Budget-Conscious City Commuter:

• Best Pick: Citroen C3 Aircross 1.2L Petrol.
• Why: Where the cost of initial ownership and no-hassle ownership are of prime concern, the naturally aspirated petrol variant is the best option. It offers sensible C3 Aircross mileage as well as no-nonsense ownership, best suited to light-city use.

For the All-Rounder Who Values Performance and Versatility:

• Best Pick: Citroen C3 Aircross 1.2L Turbo Petrol.
• Why: Should you be spending time on the motorway regularly, desire more oomph to overtake, or desire the greater flexibility of a 7-seater version, the turbo version is the ideal solution. What’s the extra initial cost worth? It’s worth it because it not only brings better performance but also elevates the C3 Aircross from a city-runaround to a broad-spectrum, enjoyable-to-drive car suitable for many tasks.

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