What’s new: Citroen‘s new C3 recently arrived in the UK. This is our first chance to try the petrol car rather than the diesel tested in late 2009.
Excellent: The 120hp 1.6-litre petrol engine is a great meeting of decent emissions – 136g/km – and decent performance, while interior quality is a big step forward from the previous C3 model.
Good: Citroen has priced its new supermini well, placing it significantly below the equivalent Ford Fiesta or Renault Clio.
Average: The styling is a little colour-dependent, but looks sporty compared to its predecessor, if still a little tall and upright. That’s because it’s a five-door model compared with the three-door DS3 that’s about to be launched.
Poor: As we said on last year’s first drive, the large, goldfish-bowl windscreen fitted to the majority of C3 trim levels is a form-over-function gimmick that doesn’t work. Try before you buy!
Verdict: The new C3 is a classier and more appealing proposition than before, apart from that screen.
