Citroen C3 (2002-) Review

On the road

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With its electric power assistance, the steering is light for parking yet precise and confidence-inspiring on the move. The braking action can feel sudden until you're used to it, but the other controls act smoothly and progressively. The high seating position gives a good view, but the effect is spoilt by those convex-curved windscreen pillars which do get in the way. The digital speedometer is easy to read, the rev-counter around the dial cluster's edge less so.

Rain-sensitive wipers and a parking sensor are optional, as is automatic transmission, on the petrol 1.4 16v and 1.6 16v only. This Sensodrive system is, however, slow to adapt to driving style, and tends to make inappropriate gearchanges, when it makes them at all. It is more responsive (and quieter, smoother and more refined) in DIY sequential-shift mode, but how many C3 auto buyers will want to use this, especially the racing-style paddle shifts?

The C3's cheeky looks suggest a good drive-time despite the car's MPV-ish loftiness, and so it proves. The rear suspension is a design new to the company, but the precise steering and the keen way the C3 tightens its line if you decelerate in a corner are true to the feel of past small Citroens. This is a handy, agile car whose engineers haven't made the mistake of trying to make it feel bigger than it really is.

The 110bhp 1.6 doesn't give the hot-hatchback performance you might expect because, like most modern, upsized superminis, the C3 is quite heavy. But it's quite a punchy, lively drive, with a keen accelerator response, and it cruises quietly.

The HDi, the best all-rounder in the range, is smooth and quiet for a diesel, especially at idle, and pulls strongly from as little as 1000rpm. Peak pulling power comes at 1750rpm, but this relaxing engine feels willing right through its speed range - more so than the same engine does in the Ford Fiesta. It's more refined here, too.

The 1.4 petrol is smooth, quiet and performs more than adequately unless heavily laden or shown a hill - or paired with the Sensodrive 'box. In that form, the Stop-Start model is available, which shuts the engine down when stationary, for fuel savings. 1.1 models are fine for running around town, though they could prove wearing for regular motorway use.