Name: Citroën C3 (2024 onwards) | Expert Rating | The Car Expert
Item: Citroën C3
Rating: 64.0

Summary

The Citroën C3 is a budget-end petrol-powered hatchback and the cheapest car in the Citroën range, excluding the pint-sized Ami quadricycle. There is also an all-electric version – the ë-C3 – which we cover here.

Now on sale in the UK, British reviewers agree that the C3 is a promising new entrant in the small car class that is an improvement over its predecessor – the C3 Origin. Parker’s Ted Welford says the C3 has made “big strides when it comes to spaciousness, interior look and feel.”

Described as a “great-value small car” by Carwow’s Tom Wiltshire, the Carbuyer team says the C3 is “an unassuming small car that doesn’t do anything particularly groundbreaking” with interior that is “lacking” when it comes to quality.

John McIlroy of Auto Express adds that the car is “more comfortable, admittedly, than most of its peers” but that the car isn’t exactly exciting to drive, as it is “not blessed with any dynamic sparkle.”

As of February 2026, the Citroën C3 holds an Expert Rating of C, with a score of 64%. While this score is bolstered by low running costs, the car is yet to have its safety tested by Euro NCAP, which could impact this score.

C3 highlights

Great value-for-money
Comfortable driving experience
Rather roomy rear seating considering its size

C3 lowlights

Awkward boot space
Rivals offer more interior quality
Not that exciting to drive

Key specifications

Body style: Small hatchback
Engines: petrol
Price: From £17,990 on-road

Launched: Winter 2024/25
Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA

Image gallery

Media reviews

Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Featured reviews

“The Citroen C3 Aircross has grown in stature, but not so much in price. There’s virtual price parity between the petrol and electric variants, and what you get for your money is a roomy family SUV that has more compact overall dimensions than most rivals. The driving experience majors on comfort over driving fun, but as everyday family transport, it gets the job done with a bit of comfort thrown into the mix.”

Model reviewed: Range overview

Score: 8 / 10

Read full review

Auto Express

Alex Ingram, Alastair Crooks

“The Citroen C3 Aircross fits up to seven seats in a hatchback-sized package, at a very reasonable price – just don’t expect it to be too sophisticated.”

Model reviewed: Range overview

Score: 8 / 10

Read full review

Carwow

Tom Wiltshire

More reviews

Auto Trader

Score: 8 / 10
“Bigger, better looking, more comfortable and a seven-seat option make the new Citroen C3 Aircross very easy to recommend.”
Author: Mark Nichol
Read review

Business Car

Model reviewed: Range overview (including electric ë-C3 Aircross)
Score: 8 / 10
“The Citroën C3 Aircross has an attractive, if unadventurous, design. It also has a spacious and practical interior, and is cheaper and better-equipped than the Vauxhall Frontera. However, it’s only adequate to drive, the seven-seat option is only for kids and short journeys, and the infotainment system is quite basic.”
Author: Martyn Collins
Read review

Car

Score: 6 / 10
“The Citroen C3 Aircross is limited in its abilities, but there’s no pretence to the way it drives. In a world where most cars are built too firm I found the relaxed, easy-going nature of the C3 Aircross quite refreshing. It’s not very refined, and humble in just about every regard, but the new car still a marked improvement over the last edition. If you’re after an affordable, inoffensive family wagon, this one is worth considering.”
Author: Seth Walton
Read review

Carbuyer

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8.6 / 10
“If you want an SUV that won’t put a black hole in the family budget, the Citroen C3 Aircross offers space, five or seven seats and even the option of electric power.”
Author: Andy Goodwin, Alastair Crooks
Read review

Heycar

Model reviewed: Range overview (including electric model)
Score: 7 / 10
“The Citroen C3 Aircross has taken on a chunky new aesthetic while gaining extra practicality in the form of a seven-seat option and more choice thanks to the new electric e-C3 Aircross. It’s still very affordable, but compromises have inevitably been made, particularly in terms of refinement.”
Author: Matt Robinson
Read review

Honest John

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Citroen C3 Aircross has a drastically different look for its second generation but the bigger talking point is its third-row option, making it nearly the cheapest seven-seater around. Its low price means some compromises have been made but this is nonetheless an impressive compact SUV.”
Read review

Parkers

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7.2 / 10
“The new C3 Aircross is a decent car, and despite some cheap feeling to it among various flaws, it still feels like a lot of Citroen product for the money.”
Author: Seth Walton
Read review

The Sunday Times

Model reviewed: Range overview (including electric ë-C3 Aircross)
Score: 6 / 10
“Not the French brand’s most enthralling car ever, but it’s comfy, cheap, comes with up to seven seats and has a choice of petrol, hybrid or electric power.”
Author: Will Dron

The Telegraph

Model reviewed: 1.2-litre petrol/electric hybrid Max
Score: 8 / 10
“This estate-style family car is tuned for comfort, with the option of extra folding chairs to seat up to seven – though that is best avoided.”
Author: Alex Robbins
Read review

Top Gear

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“Unpick the cringey slogans on the doors and you’ve got yourself a roomy, sensibly-priced and comfortable take on a supermini.”
Read review

Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

No safety rating

As of February 2026, the Citroën C3 has not been assessed by Euro NCAP.

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

As of Februsry 2026, the Citroën C3 has not been assessed by Green NCAP.

Running cost rating

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Fuel consumption	Average	Score
Petrol models	52 mpg	B

CO₂ output	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	128 g/km	B

Insurance group	Average	Score	Variation	Score
All models	17	A

Service and maintenance	Cost	Score
Year 1	£159	A
Year 2	£477	B
Year 3	£723	B
Year 4	£973	B
Year 5	£1,379	B
Overall	£3,711	B

The Citroën C3 is a relatively affordable car to own and run, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.

The petrol hatchback’s average fuel consumption of 52 mpg is very good by market averages, and about what you would expect for a model of this size. Estimated servicing and maintenance costs on the other hand are excellent, and the car sits in a low insurance bracket too.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

No reliability rating

As of February 2026, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Citroën C3 to generate a reliability rating.

The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using workshop and extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy, sourced from both official dealerships and independent workshops.

As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the C3, we’ll publish the results here.

Recalls

Official DVSA safety recalls that have been issued for the Citroën C3

As of February 2026, we are not aware of any DVSA vehicle safety recalls affecting the Citroën C3. However, this information is updated very regularly so this may have changed.

You can check to see if your car has any outstanding recalls by visiting the DVLA website or contacting your local Citroën dealer.