Citroen C3 is half chunky crossover, half old-school MPV — but brilliant value

WHEN I test a car for a week I always make a point of checking out who’s driving the same motor.

So I know who normally buys them.

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You know what I mean.

Black Audi A5: 24-year-old who doesn’t know how to wear a baseball cap properly.

Fiat 500: Love Island wannabe on the way to the nail bar.

Honda Jazz: Old soldier with his chin on the steering wheel.

Based on this thoroughly scientific research, I can categorically say the Citroen C3 Aircross is for middle-aged yoga mums.

Which is probably just as well because it looks and feels as if it was designed just for them.

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Before I upset anyone, I know there are plenty of women who like to drive something spicy.

But many more are just as happy to dot about in something small and chic and affordable. Like the C3 Aircross.

My mate’s missus has one and she is the perfect example: School teacher, savvy, 48, wears nice clothes but isn’t a badge snob.

Let’s start with the price: £17,320 for the base C-Series.

Fair play.

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You won’t find many new cars starting under £18k these days unless you want a Dacia or a Suzuki

Finance from £199 a month.

Note. My test car was actually the top-of-the-range Shine Plus — the most popular model — and that’s still extremely good value at £21k.

Now we come to looks.

Citroen has worked hard to make a small box look fresh and interesting.

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You’ll find more than 70 colour combos on the configurator.

But it’s the cabin that will please you most.

Trendy two-tone seats, soft fabric dash panels, Apple CarPlay, reversing camera and mega-practical too.

The rear seats slide forwards and backwards to add more boot space/legroom and the front passenger seat folds flat so you can buy long things at Ikea and get them home easily.

Window blinds for kiddlywinks, clever storage, lots of cup holders.

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It’s almost as if this car has been designed by someone who leads an actual life.

The 410-litre boot will easily swallow the Friday big shop.

But I do have some niggles.

Citroen makes a big thing of comfort and the seats have been stuffed with an extra 15mm of foam, akin to a mattress topper.

Sounds lovely — but my back said otherwise.

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Which is a real shame because the seats on bigger Citroens are as squishy as a sofa.

Also, the new manual handbrake is difficult to use when the arm rest is down.

I haven’t said anything about ride and handling because you are not buying this car for that.

But the C3 Aircross is safe, light, easy to drive and park, while my testing returned 45mpg from the 1.2-litre petrol turbo.

There is a diesel option for people who do big miles but seriously, if that’s you look elsewhere because you won’t be very comfy.

This car works best shuttling around the local neighbourhood.

To conclude, then. The C3 Aircross has been refreshed for 2021.

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Half chunky crossover, half old-school MPV — but crucially, still brilliant value.

I’m just the wrong sex.

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