Category: City Cars 
Price Range: £8,445 to £9,895
Pert looks, willing petrol engine, surprising legroom (even in back), decent safety spec, excellent value.
Dull and expensive diesel option, boot good for weekly shops, but not monthly ones; beaten for practicality by Panda, Picanto; with Citroen's special offers, more versatile C2 can work out cheaper to buy.
Arguably a better-value proposition than the 107 and Aygo, though all three are class-leaders
Wind noise and tyre roar are ever-present at speed. Just a quick look at the C1's doors tells you why: there's zero noise-deadening material anywhere, just painted metal and some burnished plastic. Fortunately, the engine's note isn't too overwhelming, and the seats are comfortable if lacking in snugness.
Taller drivers often can't get comfy in this class of car, but the Citroen's carefully planned interior has freed up a decent amount of space to extend rangy limbs both in the front and the rear. There's more legroom in the C1's rear quarters than a (new) Mini, for instance, and the Mini's a whole class bigger.
The trade-off, of course, is a boot that's seriously compromised. With four-up, three of you are going to have to sacrifice your bags... But for the couple on the weekly food shop, the C1's handy enough. It's handier in Rhythm trim, though, which adds a split-fold rear bench. Don't expect the C1 to pull any party tricks beyond that however: there are no sliding seats, and no neat hidden storage bins. What the C1 does get, wisely on Citroen's part, is a standard MP3-compatible CD player even on base models.
Two specification levels are available, Vibe and Rhythm, the latter adding electric windows and side airbags. Air-con is a £500 option in Rhythm versions.
Latest Readers' Drives About the Citroen C1
wrote on 07 04 2008
wrote on 31 03 2007
wrote on 15 10 2006