A QUESTION OF CHARACTER(some text hidden)

By Jonathan Crouch

Ten Second Review word count: 69

Citroen's third generation C3 supermini got a wash 'n brush-up in late 2020, with a slightly smarter looks, comfier seats and extra personalisation options. Here, it's been further tweaked, with a revamped trim range featuring extra equipment. It's still one of the most comfort-orientated small cars you can buy, though ultimately, there's nothing really revolutionary on offer here. Still, as a complete and highly personalisable package, it's desirably different.

Background word count: 188

Today to survive, Citroen must offer more than just sensible efficiency: the Stellantis Group has its Peugeot brand to deliver that. And its DS nameplate to offer a fashion-conscious premium option for those prepared to pay a little more. Which leaves Citroen needing to go back to being the kind of manufacturer it once was, fun, innovative and different. Which, at first glance at least, appears to be what's served up here with this version of the third generation C3 supermini, which was improved in 2020 to create the car we have now. By the time of that update, over 750,000 MK3 C3 models had been sold since the car had been launched in 2016 but today there's tougher competition, not least in the form of this car's in-house Stellantis Group supermini cousins, the MK2 Peugeot 208 and the latest 'F'-series Vauxhall Corsa. Unlike this this C3, those two contenders ride on the group's more modern CMP modular platform. The C3 plods on with the older PF1 chassis. Still, who cares about the oily bits? This car's smarter, comfier and far more customisable now. What's not to like?

Driving Experience word count: 235

Small French cars used to ride beautifully, grip tenaciously and flow from corner to corner with relaxed, unflustered motion. As, by and large, this one does. It may come as news to some motoring journalists but most supermini buyers don't routinely want to throw their cars about as if they were on stage from the RAC Rally. What most of them would prefer is a model that rolls the red carpet over the average appallingly surfaced British road. As, to a great extent, this one does. It's all down to the way that the fairly conventional suspension set-up has been tuned, though the downside of that is inevitably extra body roll through the bends. Stay with it though and you'll find that there's actually more grip and traction on offer than you might think. As for engines, well the PureTech three cylinder 1.2-litre unit is frugal and willing and comes in 83hp form with manual transmission or 110hp guise with the brand's EAT6 automatic. Either way, this unit delivers the same distinctive three cylinder thrum. It's a pity the 110bhp PureTech engine isn't more affordable because it really is a very sweet little unit. The turbo nearly doubles this little powerplant's pulling power and the result is that overtaking moves that'd be white-knuckle manoeuvres in the entry-level model can be safely completed with hardly a thought. The old 1.5-litre diesel engine is no longer offered.