What’s new: This is the cleanest C3 there is, with a headline emissions figure of 87g/km. It comes with the firm’s EGC automated manual gearbox and what Citroen calls a micro hybrid system, which is actually just stop/start.
Excellent: You can’t knock the efficiency. This variant offers an official 83.1mpg, so even if you’re not achieving that in real-world, economy will still impress.
Good: In typical Citroen style the ride is comfortable. The interior is smart and stylish, while the allure of optional features such as a tall, panoramic windscreen is not to be ignored.
Average: The C3 scored only four stars in the EuroNCAP crash test, which puts it below the majority of rival hatchbacks trading on a stronger five-star rating.
Poor: The EGC gearbox causes the car to lurch and the only way to change smoothly is by lifting completely off the accelerator for the duration of each change.
Verdict: CO2 and mpg are top notch but it’s not cheap and the gearbox hampers the experience so much that it’s worth considering rivals that are better to drive.
