Costs & verdict
Everyday costs, plus how reliable and safe it is
Costs, insurance groups, MPG and CO2
The C1 looks competitively priced when lined up against the VW Up and Hyundai i10, and also undercuts the Toyota Aygo with which it has so much in common. Fabric-roof Airscape models command a premium, though, and can’t be bought in entry-level Touch trim.
Running a C1 should prove cost effective. The 1.0-litre petrol engine performed well in our True MPG tests, achieving an impressive 54mpg, and no version emits more than 99g/km of CO2 – good news for those who pay company car tax, especially when the low purchase price is taken into account.
There are relatively few options for the C1, but the Automatic Plus Pack and Active City Brake are well worth considering. The former brings climate control, automatic high beam headlights and keyless entry and start, while the latter brings automatic emergency braking, active lane departure warning and speed limit recognition.
Reliability
Citroën came 16th out of 31 manufacturers in the 2021 What Car? Reliability Survey, below Toyota, Hyundai and Kia.
