Citroen C3 Showroom

Citroen C3

$32,267 - $32,267* MRLP

Cheerful, playful and fabulously French, the Citroen C3 injects some much-needed individuality into the small-car segment. Compact packaging and unique looks make the C3 a character-packed commuter car that’s anything but dull.

Latest Citroen C3 ratings breakdown

7.5

Performance
7.7
Safety Technology
7.5
Ride Quality
8.4
Infotainment & Connectivity
7.2
Handling & Dynamics
7.7
Energy Efficiency
8.0
Driver Technology
7.7
Value for Money
6.5
Interior Comfort & Packaging
6.7
Fit for Purpose
8.0
2021 Citroen C3 review
Review | 4 Apr 2021

7.5

Racking up only 47 sales last year, the refreshed 2021 Citroen C3 will look to earn more market share in 2021.
2020 Citroen C3 Shine review
Review | 26 May 2020

7.0

Is the Citroen C3 more than just a quirky SUV option?
2019 Citroen C3 Aircross review
Launch Review | 19 Apr 2019

7.6

With distinctive design, a comfy drive, and decent equipment levels, the C3 Aircross represents a likeable, if middle-band offering in the small SUV class.
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Head to Head: Citroen C3 v Peugeot 208
Review | 17 Jan 2019

7.5

Which French hatch has the most savior faire

Citroen C3 Specs:

Variant (1 available)
citroen-c3
Price
$32,267*
FuelType
Petrol
Transmission
6 Speed Sports Automatic
Drive Type
FWD
Engine
1.2T
Fuel Efficiency
5.2L / 100km

Latest Images:

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Citroen C3 hatch, C5 Aircross lose key safety tech, parking sensors amid semiconductor shortage
New Models | 22 Mar 2022
Citroen has become the latest car brand in Australia to cut driver assistance features to navigate the semiconductor shortage – but there won't be a price cut to compensate.
Citroen C3 hatch, C5 Aircross prices rise by up to $2350
New Models | 17 Feb 2022
Two of Citroen's three models in Australia have hiked in price, with the C3 city car and C5 Aircross SUV rising by five per cent each, despite no new features.
2021 Citroen C3 Aircross facelift unveiled
New Models | 12 Feb 2021
Facelifted small SUV unveiled with a revised look, updated cabin, and improved tech.
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2021 Citroen C3 price and specs
New Models | 9 Feb 2021
Citroen gives the C3 a facelift, adding more features and colours, but pricing remains unchanged.
Which stylish small hatch should I buy?
Advice | 26 Nov 2018
Claire is in the market for a new small hatch but doesn’t want anything too mainstream, so no Fords, Holdens, Hyundais, Kias, Mazdas or Toyotas. 
What small hatch should I buy?
Buying Advice | 18 Jun 2018
Maddie wants a light hatch but doesn't want to settle for ordinary.
Star and car: Musician Tina Harris and her 2004 Citroen C3
Culture | 3 Mar 2016
Children's musician loves her 'back-to-front' French car.
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2018 Citroen C3 Shine 1.2 Pure Tech 82 Review
Owner Review | 26 Apr 2019
I've been meaning to write a review here after purchasing my first French car. Needing to take my C3 in for its first (12 month) service served to highlight my lack of action in writing a review, and prompted me into action! So here we go. First things first. This is my first ever Citroen, and indeed, my first ever French car. I've always had a soft spot for French cars. The willingness of French designers to push the envelope, and to produce cars which break from conformity, has always attracted me from the sidelines. When a decision was made to look for a second (small) car for our household, I couldn't bring myself to look at run-of-the-mill small cars. On this basis, models like the Corolla, Focus, Astra, i30 etc weren't even considered (even though I've driven them, and they all have their merits). With a budget of circa $25,000, the shortlist ended up being: New Volkswagen Polo - despite the very positive reviews from motoring publications, it just didn't excite me. Peugeot 308 - interesting and attractive, but sitting next to a Citroens in the same showroom, it felt a bit staid. Citroen C4 - I was almost sold on the C4 Cactus, but the lack of wind-down windows in the rear (as reported elsewhere, they only pop-out) put me off. Citroen C3 - As a newer model release from Citroen, it benefited from a more mature (restrained) design theme which first appeared with the C4 Cactus (with airbumps now appearing lower on the doors). Once I took the C3 for a test drive I was sold. The 1.2 litre, 3 cylinder PureTech engine was an absolute delight, with lots of low-down punch. It needed few revs to accelerate briskly and tackle steep hills. And it has a real quirky burble as it progresses through the rev range. And the comfort of the front seats and ride was simply outstanding. I honestly didn't expect such comfort from a small car. Nor did I quite believe the hype surrounding Citroen's claims of its focus on comfort. For once, the PR hype stacks up. And it begs the question, why aren't all cars this comfortable? Do we really need cars that focus on handling and outright performance at the expense of comfort. Not everyone will agree, but I'm a convert. From a design perspective, I love the way it sits on the road. Chunky, squat and purposeful. The large 17 inch wheels with 45 series rubber really fill the wheel arches (and without impacting ride comfort) Unlike so many other small cars, it doesn't try and be swoopy and sleek (something best reserved, in my book, for longer vehicles). And doesn't it attract attention! Maybe it's a combination of the design, my chosen colour combination of the Almond Green and black wheels, or perhaps it's just because there aren't that many C3's on the road. Interestingly, the C3's bonnet-line is quite high. When sitting next to our other car (a new Hyundai Santa Fe), the height of the bonnet lines is remarkably close (the Hyundai only appearing to be centimetres higher than the Citroen). Twelve months on, my initial impressions gained from that first test drive have not changed. More than that, this is a vehicle which grows on you. The character and charm of the 3 cylinder engine, and the comfort you get from such a small vehicle, keep you coming back for more. And it brings a smile to your face every time you walk up to it. It's a fun car without pretension. I regularly drive the M1 between Sydney and the Central Coast. For those familiar with the M1, it has a number of long and steep climbs, which highlight torque deficiencies in lesser vehicles. The C3 simply eats these inclines for breakfast, barely ticking over in top gear. With the comfort of the seating, quietness levels and torque available, you could be forgiven for thinking you're loping along in a much larger vehicle. There are a few negatives. Or perhaps they are better referred to as character traits. Or French charm characteristics. The engine start/stop is not as smooth as it could be (but you learn to accommodate it quickly). The cup holders are too small and poorly positioned (again, something reported in reviews elsewhere). And what's the go with having only one USB connection in a new vehicle? And like other Citroens, the glovebox really only has room for gloves (it's not even big enough to hold the user/service manuals). I have heard from many motoring enthusiasts that modern cars lack charm, and how we've lost the fun that comes with motoring. The Citroen C3 has given me an insight into what those people have been talking about. I'm convinced that motoring can be full of charm and fun, if you know where to look. Hopping into other vehicles, which I do frequently, shows how dull many have become! The Citroen C3 truly is a breath of fresh air, and a refreshing contrast to other vehicles on the market today.
2018 Citroen C3 Shine 1.2 Pure Tech 82 review
Owner Review | 25 Jul 2018
This is more of a car comparison than review, but here’s my review of the 2018 Citroen C3 Shine. When my wife and I decided to purchase a second car -- a compact -- for me to use primarily as a means to travel to and from work, with the occasional childcare pickup/dropoff, I immediately started making a list of light cars in the low-20k price bracket to consider. My requirements: small, but not tiny; good fuel economy; can fit a forward-facing child-seat that will won’t be used frequently; preferably a 6-speed torque converter automatic; some sort of sat-nav, whether in-built or via Apple CarPlay; LED daytime running lights; and automatic headlights, which is both a convenience and safety feature. The Citroen C3 never made my initial list, and not because it didn’t meet the brief. The Citroen brand’s mind-share is so poor that it simply does not come to mind, and I doubt I’m atypical when I say that. Too bad, because both the C3 and its twin-under-the-skin Peugeot 208 meet my base requirements well. In fact, when I finally added the Citroen C3 Shine to the list, it was obvious that it would not only make the eventual short-list, but that it may finish at the very top. Which cars were on the shortlist? Many of the usual suspects: Honda Jazz in VTi and VTi-S trim, Suzuki Swift in GL Nav and GLX trims, Ignis GLX, Kia Rio, and the new VW Polo Comfortline. They fell within my expectations of small city-friendly size, value for money, and “X-factor”, whatever that means to you. Citroen eventually won my heart, and wallet, with the C3. Mine is orange with a black roof, which is sure to grab lots of attention, and lower whatever resale value a Citroen carries. The Shine is the only spec that Citroen sells on these shores, so if you’re the positive ‘cup is half full’ type, you can say I bought the top-spec model. At a driveaway parice of $27,490 in Melbourne, the C3 isn’t going to win over many budget-conscious buyers. That’s approaching Polo Beats money, and the segment is too competitive for Citroen to get away audacious pricing. However, at the special driveaway price of $23,990, which, after a couple of months on sale, may have become the norm rather than ‘special’, I’d argue that the C3 is not only reasonably priced, but is a relative bargain. No, it’s still not cheap, but it’s affordable for a fully loaded car. The C3’s list of standard equipment is impressive, blessed with distinctive 17-inch alloys (black at no cost), choice of body-coloured/black/white/red roof (no cost), digital speedo, cruise control with speed limiter, traffic speed sign recognition, height- and reach-adjustable steering wheel, one-touch front and rear windows, 7” capacitive touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, reverse camera and sensors, auto headlights and rain-sensing wipers (that aren’t advertised well), LED daytime running lamps, front fog lights, lane departure warning, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, climate control, electronic child-locks for rear doors, tyre pressure monitor, and dark-tinted windows. Also note the 5-year, unlimited kilometre warranty, and 5-years roadside assistance. I don’t have the optional in-built ConnectCAM dash-cam to test, which is a shame. In terms of equipment, the Swift GLX and Ignis GLX are its closest competitors, with the Ignis GLX being the best bang for the buck of any car on my shortlist. The Polo doesn’t offer the same level of standard equipment in Comfortline form, but the Launch Edition and Beats models probably do for a bit more money. Notably missing from the C3 safety-related features is AEB, which is unfortunate because Citroen has included a number of other active safety features, but not the one that consumers (and car reviewers) look for most. To be fair, the list of cars in this segment that don’t offer AEB, even as an option, is surprisingly long, with the Accent, Yaris, Rio, Ignis, and Jazz to name a few. (Note: The upcoming 2018-19 Jazz will have AEB as standard.) Furthermore, as far as safety features go, I really wish this car had a head-up display (HUD). The C3 is powered by the Peugeot-Citroen family’s trusted 1.2 litre, 3-cylinder Pure-tech turbo engine, generating 81 kW of power at 5500 rpm and 205Nm of torque at 1500 rpm, and fitted with an Aisin-sourced 6-speed torque converter automatic shifter. On paper, this combination of engine and transmission seems perfect for a compact city car. The acceleration won’t cause heart palpatations, but it’s quick enough off the line to not annoy, and it reacts quickly, but not linearly, to throttle pressure. There is a slight low-speed shudder, which is felt through the steering wheel. It’s not as bad as the DSG jerkiness I noticed in the Polo, but not smooth like the others, which slightly mars the experience of driving in stop-start traffic conditions, where these scenarios are common. I prefer the C3’s transmission over the Polo’s DSG for city driving, which upshifts too quickly to save fuel. I also prefer it to the CVTs found in the Suzuki’s. The 4-speed auto in the Rio was smooth, but indecisive on hills. The Swift GLX’s 6-speed torque converter gets top marks here, while the biggest surprise was the Jazz’s CVT, which was pleasant to drive. Once the C3 gets moving, shifts are quick and smooth, smart enough to always choose the gear that puts me in the peak torque range. The engine is fantastic. I haven’t even bothered with the C3’s “Sport” mode, which holds gears for longer. Citroen should be commended for the suspension. It’s pillowy over not-so-nice surfaces, but somewhat firm. Firm-ish. It’s ability to smooth out speed humps and bumps, glide over potholes, and soothe long stretches of irritating road imperfections makes at the top in terms of comfort and quietness, along with the Jazz. At the same time, the C3 manages to corner well, with little body-roll to speak of, even when approaching corners a bit too fast. The Polo’s ride was firmer, and the Swift Ignis were firmer still, and corner better as a result. However, in my typical driving style, I would have to intentionally throw myself into corners too fast to perceive the benefit. What is more obvious, more often, is the greater harshness I felt when driving the Swift, Ignis, and Polo over Melbourne’s imperfect inner-city road surfaces. The C3, Jazz, and Rio were more comfortable. For daily driving, I’ll take pillowy, thank you. I don’t frequently drive on highways, but in my brief experience, I found the C3 to be very quiet, comfortable, and stable, as though you’re actually driving a car from the next size up. The one big negative comment on the C3’s driving report card is its poor turning circle. It’s not good at U-turns on tight streets, which is a curious oversight when considering the C3’s city-centric target audience. The Ignis and Swift were noticeably better in practice, and I can’t remember the others. As for styling, the C3 is a stunning little car to look at, both inside and out. They say a picture says a thousand words, but I don’t think that a photo is enough to convey how special the C3 looks in person when compared to its competitors, or even those sold by higher-priced marques. Ostentatious? Perhaps, but the overall aesthetic is coherent, never feeling over-the-top or contrived like the similarly stylish Mini Cooper. The circle-square rear taillight pattern, the black-white horizontal stripe that runs across the C-pillar, the matte finish along the length of the A-pillar, and the 17-inch alloys, all look great. Even the divisive split lights on the front end, which often looks askew on other cars (e.g. the Hyundai Kona), works well here. The others all look cheap in their respective trim, except the Ignis GLX, which looks fun, fresh, and sporty. The Polo and Rio look austere, and this rings true even in their higher grades. The Swift looks like a big Nissan Juke to me. The Jazz looks decent, but I’m not a huge fan of this generation’s design. The interior shares the same attention to detail. I particularly like the look and feel of the textured seat fabric details and contrast yellow-green stitching used in the standard Grey Mica interior trim, while the contrasting white plastic used for the door visually breaks up the dark tones used throughout. Citroen designers managed to make a grey interior not look drab. The seats are also comfortable. Unfortunately, the tactile feel of the interior doesn’t match its visual appeal. Hard plastics are used throughout the cabin, which makes the interior feel more Swift than Jazz. I can say the same about the Polo, though the C3 and Polo prove to be great examples of cheap interiors done well. The C3 happens to feel more cheery, with its higher material contrast and detail. In terms of internal space, Citroen does well here in some aspects, but poorly in others. When both front seats are set for my 177 cm frame, rear legroom is sufficient for 3 adults, though they may not appreciate rubbing shoulders. Let’s say 2 adults of average height, or a toddler in a forward-facing child-seat. There’s significantly more legroom in the C3 than in the Swift, equal to the diminutive (but surprisingly roomy) Ignis, and less than the Rio, Polo, and Jazz. With a listed cargo volume of 300 litres (VDA), it’s above average for the segment. More importantly, the cargo floor area is large and deep, giving it more useful cargo-carrying ability than, say, the Suzuki Ignis, which seems competitive on the spec-sheet, but not in practice. Without using a tape measure, I’d say the C3, Rio, Jazz, and Polo had comparable cargo floor dimensions, and would prove equally useful for errands around town, groceries, etc. With the seats folded down, the Jazz is the clear winner, while most other light hatchbacks, like the C3, fall flat, or perhaps I should say don’t fall flat, which is the problem. With the rear seats down, the C3’s boot is an awkward space to work with, as the seats don’t fold down completely flat, and there’s a hump between the boot floor and seat back. I’m rarely going to fold the rear seats down, so the C3 is perfectly suitable. As for interior storage, the glovebox is next to useless, and too small even for the owner’s manual, thanks to the fusebox Citroen put in there. There is no central storage compartment to dump your stuff into, and no armrest (it’s optional). The cupholders that sit in front of the gear selector are too small, only suitable for piccolo drinkers. They’re also set too deep into the recessed area, so if you place a small coffee in there, it may take some effort to pull out. Of course, you probably wouldn’t want a large cup in the cupholder anyway, because you wouldn’t be able to see whether the gear selector is in P, R, N, or D. Very odd placement. The instrument display situated between the speedometer and odometer feeds you this information, but there’s no excusing such French-ness. Above the too-small cupholders is an awkward shelf that isn’t deep or rubbery enough, and has no lip along the bottom edge to stop things from falling off. It’s large enough for my narrow wallet and small iPhone SE, but coins would become metal projectiles under the wrong circumstances. My suggestion: Place your coffee cup in the single cupholder meant for rear passengers (seriously, it’s not a huge stretch), and place your wallet in the cupholder. The centre console area is mostly devoid of buttons, as the touchscreen is used to control almost everything. It works well enough. Fortunately, there are still dedicated physical buttons for both front and rear de-misters, and a volume dial. Screen navigation is lag-free, and the dedicated touch-button shortcuts along the side of the screen make daily use quite liveable. Apple CarPlay was effortless, with the first pairing taking 1-2 seconds to engage. On the radio screen, I hate the overall placement of text, menus, and other information, as I find it unintuitive to change stations. Sound quality is great, but only once you edit the audio settings. The default bass setting was far too oomph-oomph for me, even when listening to radio host banter. It was intolerable. I dialled it down to the second lowest setting. Overall, I’m very happy with the C3. My initial thoughts were that I would end up purchasing a Swift GLX, Polo Comfortline, or Honda Jazz, but by the end, it was a 3-way fight between the C3, Ignis, and Polo. I felt that the C3 was at the top of the list in terms overall comfort and drivability through urban streets, and exterior styling. In addition, it’s interior made me feel happiest behind the wheel. Highly subjective, but ‘feels’ matter too, right? The C3 includes a reassuring 5-year warranty, lots of cargo space, and adequate rear legroom. In terms of value for money, it includes almost everything I want in a car, and this isn’t true on any of the other cars at the price I paid, bar the Swift GLX. As objectively the best blend of features, ride quality, engine performance, fuel economy, cargo capacity, and practicality, the Polo was hard to resist. It jus but the C3’s longer warranty makes me feel more assured. If I was more price sensitive, or if I simply went for value for money over everything, I would have been extremely happy with the 3rd place Ignis GLX. It was that close.
2007 Citroen C3 Exclusive Review
Owner Review | 3 Aug 2016
In the used vehicle market, Australia generally heavily discounts the resale value of many European manufacturers such as Citroen and Peugeot making these exceptionally good value in comparison to Toyota and Hyundai. Stylish little commuter with lots of features as standard. The fold down arm rests and high ride height are simple but appreciated considerations. Without doubt the greatest disappointment which is widely acknowledged is the 4 speed automatic transmission. A 5 or 6 speed box would make this a totally different vehicle and improve fuel ecomony. This base design ran for approx 8 years 02-10, which is a good indication of the stylis design. The interior finish incorporates lots of plastic - an observation rather than an issue. Road noise is an issue on rough roads. The low profile tyres do not assist in supressing road noise from the cabin. Performance is quite good dispite the auto. The engine does have a habit of staying in 3rd gear longer before changing into 4th due to the ratios. I've had no major issues with the vehicle other than the accelerator pedal occassionally playing up by becoming unresponsive. Its an electonic pedel (fly by wire). A quick check on line indicated this wasnt an uncommon problem and the fix was quick and inexpensive (under A$20).Parts are widely available and not over the top if sourcing on line. The longevity of the model itself would have assisted. The glass sunroof has a good mechanism, variable positioning and excellent weather sealing. Looking for a cheap spacious comfortable commuter then this is worth considering. NOTE -as with any potential purchase, make sure you have an independent mechanical inspection carried out before committing- at the end of the day its a cheap price to pay.
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Citroen C3 Deals

From $34,990 Drive Away Premium Paint

2022 Citroen C3 Shine 1.2L Hatchback FWD

* ‘MRLP’ is the manufacturer’s recommended list price as provided by our data provider and is subject to change, so is provided to you for indicative purposes only. Please note that MRLP is inclusive of GST, but is exclusive of any options and does not include on-road costs such as registration, CTP, stamp duty and dealer delivery. Where an MRLP is stated as a price range, this reflects the lowest to highest MRLP provided for that model range across the available variants.