Citroen C3 Aircross review

If you’re in the market for a small SUV, there’s a good chance that you like to sit quite far from the road. If so, you’ll find plenty to like about the C3 Aircross, because even with its driver’s seat set to its lowest position, you’re still a few centimetres farther from ground than you would be in a Ford Puma or Seat Arona.

Unfortunately, the driver’s seat doesn’t provide much in the way of lower back support, so the C3 Aircross could be more comfortable on longer journeys. Adjustable lumbar support would help, but it isn’t available. Meanwhile, only range-topping Shine Plus models come with a front centre armrest as standard (although you can add one as an option if you go for mid-rung Shine trim).

No matter whether you go for the 7.0in touchscreen that features in C-Series models, or the 9.0in version that comes with the posher trim levels, it won't have the contrast or crispness in its graphics that you might hope for. Meanwhile, the delay between pressing an icon on the display and anything actually happening is often long enough for you to make a cup of tea.

Being able to call up the home screen from any menu with a tap of three fingers is handy, but beyond that the operating system isn’t particularly user-friendly. DAB radio, a USB port, Bluetooth and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone mirroring are all standard, while Shine Plus cars are available with an optional upgraded sound system. The premium sound systems in the Puma and Nissan Juke are better, though.