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Citroen C3 2024 review

Hatchback Petrol

Citroen C3 2024 — front three-quarter view

Photo: Alexander Migl (CC BY-SA 4.0), via Wikimedia Commons

Overview

The Citroen C3 is one of the friendliest small cars you can buy in Britain, and the 2024 model keeps its reputation for comfort-first motoring at a price that undercuts almost every rival. With a starting price of £17,790, it sits well below the Ford Fiesta-shaped hole in the market and the Vauxhall Corsa, yet still brings five doors, a raised driving position and Citroen’s famously soft Progressive Hydraulic Cushion suspension.

Under the bonnet, the familiar 1.2-litre PureTech three-cylinder petrol does the heavy lifting, with the 100hp manual version hitting the sweet spot for most buyers: 0-60mph in under ten seconds, a claimed 53.3mpg on the WLTP cycle and low insurance groups that keep running costs gentle. A 315-litre boot swallows a weekly shop with ease, and the chunky Airbump side panels shrug off supermarket car park scuffs.

Inside, the C3 majors on clever touches rather than outright luxury. The Advanced Comfort seats are genuinely supportive on long runs, the 10.25-inch touchscreen (standard from mid-spec) carries Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the squared-off styling stands out against a sea of lookalike superminis. It is not the sharpest handler, but for easy, affordable, comfortable city motoring, few do it better.

Comfort is the Citroen C3's superpower. Where rivals chase sporty handling, the C3 majors on a soft, forgiving ride that shrugs off potholed British streets, speed bumps and scruffy B-roads. The high driving position gives a commanding view of traffic, light steering makes town driving and tight car parks effortless, and the cabin is refreshingly simple to use — physical buttons for the important stuff, with no menu-diving required.

With prices starting from £17,790, the C3 undercuts almost every rival, and it stays cheap to own. Insurance groups are among the lowest in the class, which is great news for younger drivers, and the frugal 1.2-litre petrol sips fuel at around 50mpg in mixed driving. Servicing costs are modest at any Citroen dealer or independent garage. It will not thrill keen drivers, but as honest, comfortable, affordable transport, few cars make more sense.

UK price from: £17,790

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Specifications

Engine	1.2-litre PureTech 3-cylinder turbo petrol
Power	100PS
0-60 mph	9.9 seconds
Top speed	114 mph
Fuel economy	53.3 mpg (WLTP combined)
CO2	121 g/km
Boot space	315 litres
Length	3,996 mm
Transmission	6-speed manual
Drive	Front-wheel drive

Features

1.2 PureTech 100 petrol engine with stop-start
Progressive Hydraulic Cushion suspension
10.25-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Advanced Comfort seats
Airbump side protection panels
Rear parking sensors and reversing camera
Automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection
315-litre boot with 60:40 split-folding rear seats

Common parts & prices

Part	Price (GBP)	Notes
Front brake pads	£34.99	Direct-fit pads for the 1.2 PureTech; 30-minute DIY job with basic tools.
Oil filter	£8.99	Genuine-specification spin-on filter; change every 12 months or 12,500 miles.
Air filter	£14.99	Panel filter behind the glovebox; keeps the little turbo breathing freely.
Wiper blades (pair)	£19.99	Flat aero blades; two-minute clip-fit replacement.
12V battery	£89.99	Standard fitment for stop-start models; code the battery after fitting.
Timing belt kit	£179.99	PureTech wet-belt kit with tensioners; check the service schedule carefully.

Prices are typical UK aftermarket/OEM guide prices and may vary by supplier.

Pros

Exceptional ride comfort for a car of this size and price
Low purchase price and cheap insurance groups
Characterful design that stands out from rival superminis
Airbumps protect against everyday car park damage

Cons

Body roll in corners and vague steering feel
Cabin plastics feel hard and scratchy in places
Automatic gearbox option is expensive and slow to react
No hybrid or electric version offered in 2024

Frequently asked questions

Is the Citroen C3 reliable?

The C3 scores respectably in owner satisfaction surveys, with the 1.2 PureTech engine generally dependable when serviced on time. Earlier wet-belt concerns mean you should insist on a full Citroen service history on used examples, and budget for the belt kit at the recommended interval.

What is the real-world MPG of the Citroen C3?

Owners typically report 45 to 50mpg in mixed driving from the 1.2 PureTech 100, a little below the 53.3mpg WLTP claim. Gentle motorway cruising can nudge it past 55mpg, while short cold-start town trips drop it toward 40mpg.

How much does a Citroen C3 cost to insure?

The C3 sits in low insurance groups, roughly groups 10 to 16 depending on trim, which makes it one of the cheapest new cars to insure in the UK. That, plus cheap parts, keeps total ownership costs very competitive for young drivers.

Does the Citroen C3 have a big enough boot?

At 315 litres the C3’s boot is about average for the supermini class, ahead of the Mazda2 but behind the Skoda Fabia. The 60:40 split rear seats fold to extend load space for bulkier items.

Is the Citroen C3 a good first car for new drivers?

Yes — it is one of the best first cars you can buy in the UK. Low insurance groups keep premiums manageable, the light clutch and steering forgive inexperience, and excellent visibility makes junctions and parking less stressful. The soft ride also keeps passengers comfortable while you build confidence behind the wheel.

How economical is the Citroen C3 in real-world driving?

Expect around 50mpg in mixed real-world driving from the 1.2-litre petrol, with gentle motorway cruising pushing higher. Around town the figure drops, but the C3's light weight keeps fuel bills low whatever you do. It is one of the cheapest petrol superminis to run, full stop.

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