Citroen C3 Aircross 2022 car review

Model: Citroen C3 Air Cross 2022
Engine: 1.2-litre PureTech 110
Transmission: Six-speed automatic (EAT6)
Power: 81kW/205Nm
Fuel economy/CO2: 7.3L/100km, 166g/km
Price: $38,990 + ORC
Status: Currently available

Citroen’s compact C3 Air Cross urban SUV has had a facelift and we got the chance to check it out. For Citroen lovers, when it comes to unique looks the C3 Facelift won’t disappoint. In fact, you don’t need to be a Citroen lover to fall in love with its stylish new looks.

The model was first introduced back in 2017, and in 2018 the AA had the opportunity to review the eye-catching new compact SUV. Back then the price-point was $34,990 + ORC. The new facelift version comes with a price tag of $38,990 + ORC, which is certainly a reasonable price for a stylish, fun, and compact city SUV.

What’s new?

• Up to 92 colour combinations including body paints, colour packs, roof colours and alloy wheels
• A new front face with Eco-LED headlights and new grille
• Quirky looking rear bumper trim colours to match the quarter window trims and wing mirror shells (four to choose from)
• 17” alloy wheels, plus a black version (optional)
• Three new exterior colour options – now a total of seven to choose from
• Two roof options – Black is standard, or white is a free option
• Advanced Comfort® Seats

Performance

The 1.2-litre petrol engine produces 81kW and 205Nm of torque, paired with a 6-speed auto powertrain. It isn’t super quick off the mark with a claimed acceleration from 0-100km/h in 10.6 seconds with a top speed of 183km/h. However, for city commuting, a quick off the mark compact SUV is less than ideal.

Fuel efficiency is good for a compact SUV at 7.3L/100km and it has a fuel emissions rating of 166g/km so it sits in the Clean Car Fees’ zero band and therefore won’t qualify for a discount under the Clean Car Programme, but won’t be hit with a fee either.

We took the C3 Aircross for a leisurely drive from central Auckland out to Clevedon on a drizzly Sunday – about a 70km round-trip. Visibility was superb, and the seats were super comfortable. Citroens have long been praised for their comfortable seats – quite a point of difference for the brand, but these seats took comfortable to a whole new level. So comfortable that it made it very difficult to want to get out once we reached our destination. Plus, our front seat passenger claimed to have a sore back at the beginning of our journey, which was miraculously cured at the completion - thanks Citroen. We learnt that these seats are special because they feature Citroen’s Advanced comfort Seats with an additional 15mm extra foam layer.

On the backroads of Auckland, the C3 Aircross handled well, it took corners seamlessly with excellent braking. Road noise wasn’t an issue at all, and the auto wipers were a plus with the sporadic rain.

Passenger comfort extends to the rear. With a width of 1756mm, there is plenty of space for three adults to sit comfortably across the back, plus they all get their own headrest. Oddly, while the C3 Aircross looks like a compact SUV on the outside, almost smaller from some angles, the exterior size is quite deceptive. Inside it feels spacious, almost like a shuttle or MPV. The boot volume is large too with 410L extended to 1289L with the rear seats down.

Safety and security

The 2022 C3 Aircross includes a raft of safety features including collision avoidance with Active Emergency Braking (AEB) with pedestrian detection, Blind Spot Monitoring, Driver Attention Alert and Forward Collision Warning.

We liked the cruise control with speed limiter and the traffic sign recognition and speed limit recognition. Some Auckland back roads have speed limits reduced from 80kms to 60kms within a short distance, meaning the speed limiter does its job well, displaying the road sign boldly accompanied by a warning sound.

Other easy-to-use technology includes Park Assist, 180-degree reversing camera, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, and voice recognition.

Interior features

The interior is unique, kind of vogue yet eclectic. Not your typical SUV interior at all. If you want something a little different then you will be impressed by what the C3 Aircross interior delivers. With the spacious interior and wide windows, the light pours in, displaying a black leatherette and grey cloth upholstery with the same grey cloth stretching proudly across the dashboard. A spot of sophistication is included with the chrome air vent and gloss black trims. This combination screams unique and modern, like a sort of fashion icon.

The new 9” central colour touchscreen is simple to navigate with large icons – no need to scramble for the reading glasses to adjust the heating. Other new features include 3D Navigation, Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto.

Storage includes a new central console compartment with two cupholders and handy map pockets on the rear of the front seats. Equipped with wireless smartphone charging is a bonus too, just place it down flat on the easy grip pad in the front docking area. We are fans of this technology as drivers aren’t distracted by taking their eyes off the road to scramble around for the charger.

Verdict

Our model came in Khaki Grey with a white roof, 17-inch diamond cut alloys and white inserts. Whenever out-and-about in it we noticed its eye-catching design turned heads. You don’t see a lot of them on the road, and you don’t often see a mix of compact SUV and quirky together.

We loved that it looks different, not like most other SUVs on the road. This is a little special, a crossover SUV with style. The Origami diamond cut design wheels are also clever – like two fans stacked on top of one another.

The drive feels fun with an aggressive sounding engine note to add to the adventure. For anyone wanting to stand out from the crowd and likes a bit of adventure with a touch of sophistication, plus high level of comfort, then the C3 Aircross is the perfect match.

With up to 92 colour combinations to choose from including body paints, colour packs, roof colours and alloy wheels, and if you have a budget around $40k, we say why not go for the blank canvas approach. Personally, the Khaki Grey, white roof with the orange colour pack and diamond cut wheels is the way to go – nothing like making a statement.

Pros:

• Stylish
• Super comfortable seats
• Quirky exhaust note
• Wireless smartphone charger

Cons:

• Manual handbrake
• Gear Shifter is fitted with a shifter boot

Safety systems

• ABS with Electronic Braking Distribution (EBD) & Emergency Braking Assistance (EBA) 
• Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) & Hill Start Assist 
• Airbags (x6): Driver & Front passenger, Front side, Front & rear curtain
• Electronic code immobiliser, deadlocking & Child locking functionality on rear doors 
• Front & optimised safety headrests & rear retractable headrests (x3), height-adjustable 
• Front & rear three-point retractable seatbelts with force limiters (front & outer rear seats) 
• Outer rear seat ISOFIX mounting points (x2) with Top Tether 
• Tyre pressure monitoring system 
• Programmable cruise control & Speed limiter 
• Lane Departure Warning
• Speed limit recognition & recommendation
• Active Emergency Braking (AEB) with pedestrian detection 
• Blind Spot Monitoring 
• Driver Attention Alert & Forward Collision Warning 

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