The Citroën C3 has been shaped for people who want an easy-to-drive, well-built city car that can still stretch its legs on the highway. It’s compact on the outside but manages to offer good space inside, and the design carries a small-SUV flavour that sets it apart from other hatchbacks.
At just under four metres long, the C3 fits neatly into the compact category. Yet, thanks to a 2,540 mm wheelbase, the cabin feels roomier than you’d expect. The tall body helps visibility, and with 180 mm of ground clearance, it’s confident over bumps and rough roads. The 315-litre boot adds a lot of practicality — big enough for airport runs or a weekend trip.
There are two petrol engines on offer. The first is a 1.2-litre naturally aspirated motor that makes about 80 bhp. It’s relaxed, simple and smooth in traffic, paired with a five-speed manual gearbox. The second, a 1.2-litre turbo-petrol, is far punchier with roughly 108 bhp and 205 Nm of torque. It can be had with six-speed manual or automatic options. The turbo variant feels much quicker off the line yet stays refined, which is rare at this price point.
Citroën’s smaller petrol engine is quite frugal, returning an ARAI figure of 19.3 km/l, though most drivers see 16–18 km/l in mixed use. The turbo model stays close if driven gently. A CNG version has also joined the range, starting near ₹7.16 lakh (ex-showroom), aimed at those who log heavy city kilometres.
Ride quality is where the C3 really impresses. Citroën’s suspension setup feels almost cushioned — the car glides over broken patches that make most rivals bounce. The steering is light for parking yet settles nicely at speed. Body roll is mild, and while it’s no corner-carver, the C3 feels secure and composed.
Inside, the car looks cheerful. The 10-inch touchscreen supports wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, which keeps things neat. Seats are wide and supportive, and visibility is good thanks to the upright seating. A few things are basic — no rear AC vents on most variants, and limited soft-touch materials — but overall comfort remains high for the segment.
The C3 gets dual airbags, ABS with EBD, and rear parking sensors as standard. Build quality feels solid; doors shut firmly, giving a sense of security. The Global NCAP rating for the India-spec model hasn’t been released yet, but the structure feels sturdy.
| Seating capacity | 5 |
| Transmission type | Manual |
| Number of cylinders | 3 |
| Displacement | 1199 |
| Max power (bhp) | 109 bhp@5500rpm |
| Gear box | -- |
| Max torque (Nm) | 190 Nm@1750rpm |
| Mileage (ARAI) | 19.3 |
| Fuel Type | petrol |
| 10-inch touchscreen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay | |
| 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine delivering strong mid-range performance | |
| 180 mm ground clearance for city and rough-road comfort | |
| 315-litre boot offering ample everyday storage space |
Live 1.2 Petrol Cng | Feel 1.2 Petrol | |
|---|---|---|
Comfort & convenience | ||
| 12V power outlets | -- | Yes |
| 2nd row adjustable headrest | -- | No |
| 2nd row charging outlet | -- | No |
| 3rd row adjustable headrest | -- | No |
| 3rd row charging outlet | -- | No |
Entertainment & communication | ||
| Apple car play / android auto | -- | No |
| Integrated (in-dash) music system | -- | No |
| Integrated (in-dash) music system - Am/fm radio | -- | No |
| Integrated (in-dash) music system - Audio system remote control | -- | No |
| Integrated (in-dash) music system - Aux compatibility/connectivity | -- | No |
Exterior | ||
| Body colored bumpers | -- | Yes |
| Exterior door handle colour | -- | Conventional |
| Fog lamps | -- | Yes |
| Headlights Bulb type | -- | Halogen |
| Outside rear view mirrors (ORVMs) | -- | Yes |
Interior | ||
| 3rd row seats | -- | No |
| Digital Instrument cluster | -- | Yes |
| Digital Instrument cluster - Digital Tachometer | -- | Yes |
| Digital Instrument cluster - Digital tripmeter | -- | Yes |
| Door pockets | -- | Yes |
Safety | ||
| 360 view camera | -- | No |
| Airbags | -- | Yes |
| Airbags - Co-passenger airbag | -- | Yes |
| Airbags - Front torso airbags | -- | No |
| Airbags - Knee airbags | -- | No |
Warranty | ||
| OEM warranty (kilometers) | -- | 40000 |
| OEM warranty (years) | -- | 2 |
The ARAI-claimed mileage for the NA petrol variant of the Citroën C3 is around 19.3 km/l. In real-world driving circumstances owners typically report 16-18 km/l under mixed usage.
The reported ground clearance for the Citroën C3 is approximately 180 mm, which helps in city potholes and speed-bumps.
Yes — the turbo-petrol variant of the Citroën C3 is available with an automatic (torque-converter) gearbox in some trims.
For small families or urban buyers, yes — the Citroën C3 offers decent space, comfort and practicality. However, if you regularly carry three adults in the rear seat, or need features like rear AC vents and shallow-footprint service network, you may want to compare with other options too.
The boot space of the Citroën C3 is rated at 315 litres, which is reasonable in the compact hatchback class.