Citroen is undergoing a major overhaul to reposition itself as an entry-level brand in South Africa, phasing out its old models for a selection of new ones with budget-friendly price tags.
The second car to emerge from this transition is the new C3 Aircross, which has managed to slash the cost of the outgoing version by an impressive R105,000.
Having spent a week with the French marque’s latest product, I can say that Citroen is on the right track with this new business strategy, and I am keen to see where the carmaker goes from here.
Budget doesn’t mean spartan
The new Aircross impresses right off the bat thanks to its good looks, starting with a set of 17-inch two-tone alloy wheels that wouldn’t look out of place on a more premium vehicle.
The review model I was given also had a blue paint job with a contrasting white roof, giving it a clean nautical theme that I personally enjoyed.
What really sells the visuals are the brand’s signature chevron-shaped LED daytime running lights, which are incredibly distinctive and remind you of what you’re in every time you catch a glimpse reflecting off the car in front of you.
It’s only when you open the doors that the C3’s nature as a budget SUV comes to light, but there’s still plenty to appreciate about the package.
For context, the new C3 Aircross is manufactured in India while the old one was sourced from Europe, and this is evident from the more liberal application of plastics and fabrics.
To be fair, this is about what you can expect from an entry-level vehicle in South Africa, and the automaker has taken clear steps to liven up the interior where it can.
The dashboard is made up of three colours including white, black, and a textured khaki pattern, and this theme is extended to the seats as well.
The use of lighter colours helps to make the cabin feel more airy, and headroom is reasonably good, too, though taller motorists may find it less comfortable.
Storage space is another strength, as there is a shelf for your phone, cupholders, multiple trays for small items, decent-sized door bins, and a large glovebox.
Speaking of, one of the major selling points of the Aircross is that it is technically South Africa’s cheapest seven-seater SUV, as it is possible to install two additional seats in the back for only R10,000 extra.
Sadly, the review model did not come with these seats, but it did showcase the crossover’s impressive 444-litre boot – much bigger than most of its segment rivals.
As for its equipment, the Citroen may be an affordable model, but that doesn’t mean its spec sheet is bare bones, as there is plenty to play around with.
The aircon was perfectly satisfactory in this hot weather that Gauteng unironically calls spring, and there’s a 7-inch digital driver display that uses the same khaki theme as the cabin.
The highlight is the 10-inch infotainment system on the dash, which is intuitive to use and features shortcut buttons on either side of the screen at all times for quick inputs.
The lack of a physical volume knob is a bit annoying, but the multifunction steering wheel makes up for it, and it is super easy to connect your phone to the wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functions.
One feature that I was taken aback by was the superb six-speaker stereo, which delivered fantastic audio well above what I had expected from a car in this bracket.
There’s also electronic stability control, rear parking sensors, and a reverse camera with guidelines, which is slightly lacking in resolution but still perfectly usable.
Two things to take note of if you’re interested in this Citroen; it lacks cruise control and only has two front airbags, which might be worth consideration if you’re planning to employ it as a family car.
It’s when you turn the ignition on that the crossover really starts to shine thanks to the inclusion of 1.2-litre turbocharged PureTech petrol engine with 81kW and 205Nm.
The driving sensation will be instantly familiar to anyone acquainted with one of Stellantis’ recent vehicles, with a generous powerband and light but responsive steering that you can take advantage of in a corner.
The six-speed automatic gearbox is sharp on the uptake, though it is a little hesitant to shift back down, which can lead to occasional engine stuttering as you slow down for a light.
All-in-all, the C3 is tremendously fun to drive if you find the roads to be quiet on a late Sunday afternoon as I did, though it does come at the cost of fuel consumption.
The carmaker’s official rate for the SUV is 6.3l/100km, but from Monday to Friday my commute had me averaging closer to 9.3l/100km.
Admittedly, this is probably worst-case scenario, as my commute is rather short and regularly deals with backed-up traffic at an intersection. When I reset the meter and went for a long drive on the highway, it managed to return a much better 5.2l/100km, so the 6.3l claim is likely not far off what people will experience with a more balanced driving route.
One neat feature included on the digital instrument cluster is a leaf icon, which is white by default but fluctuates from green to orange to red depending on your throttle usage, which gives a good indication of how efficiently you’re driving.
Final thoughts
The new C3 Aircross is exactly the type of car that Citroen needs in South Africa.
While the previous generation of Citroen models were overshadowed by their Stellantis equivalents from Opel and Peugeot, the Aircross is bringing something entirely new to the table as an affordable family SUV that’s still fun to drive.
The materials and build quality reflect its budget underpinnings, but it’s nothing out of the ordinary compared to other entry-spec vehicles in South Africa, and it more than makes up for it with a great engine, premium looks, and a well-rounded equipment sheet.
Especially, when you consider that hatchbacks like the Kia Picanto and VW Polo Vivo can now go for well over R300,000, it’s hard to argue that the C3 presents a compelling value proposition with its own sticker of R344,900.
It’s certainly a model that you should keep in mind if you’re looking for a wallet-friendly family car, and I’m keen to see what else the brand has in store for our market with its new business strategy.
Citroen C3 Aircross
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