Used Citroen C3 Aircross 2017-2025 review

What's the used Citroen C3 Aircross like?

While sales of cars from the more traditional market sectors have waned recently, buyers are flocking to the growing small SUV market and models such as this Citroen C3 Aircross.

Similar to the Seat Arona and Kia Stonic rivals, the C3 Aircross is a high-riding version of a small hatchback – in this case, the Citroën C3. It affords a raised driving position and therefore is easier to step in and out of. It also has chunkier styling and off-roader-inspired accessories such as roof bars and extra black plastic body cladding to make it look tougher. It was on sale from 2017 to 2025.

Overview

The Citroën C3 Aircross is a distinctive small SUV offering flexible interior seating and a raised driving position. While it excels in practicality with plenty of boot space, its driving experience is marred by vague handling and a jarring ride. Comfort features are abundant, especially in mid-range Feel trim, making it a sensible choice for family use.

Pros

• Strong turbocharged 1.2-litre engine
• Flexible interior with sliding rear seating
• Standard safety tech

Cons

• Basic model has bland interior
• Fiddly infotainment
• Disappointing to drive with vague gearbox and numb clutch feel

Used cars available now

In partnership with

Citroen C3 Aircross

1.5 BlueHDi Flair Euro 6 5dr

£4,444

Citroen C3 Aircross

1.2 PureTech Feel Euro 6 5dr

£4,450

Citroen C3 Aircross

1.6 BlueHDi Flair Euro 6 5dr

£4,500

Citroen C3 Aircross

1.6 BlueHDi Feel Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£4,500

Citroen C3 Aircross

1.2 PureTech Flair Euro 6 5dr

£4,695

Citroen C3 Aircross

1.2 PureTech Feel Euro 6 5dr

£4,750

Citroen C3 Aircross

1.2 PureTech Feel Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£4,850

Citroen C3 Aircross

1.2 PureTech Feel Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£4,995

Citroen C3 Aircross

1.2 PureTech Feel Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£4,995

See all available cars

Engines: Engines range from a lethargic, naturally aspirated 82bhp 1.2-litre petrol to more potent 108bhp and 128bhp turbocharged versions of the same unit. There are also two versions of a 1.5-litre diesel with 99bhp and 118bhp. Lower-output engines come with a five-speed manual gearbox, while more powerful ones have either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic.

Later models trimmed the range back to just the 1.2 110 and 1.2 130 pterol engines and the 1.5-litre 110 diesel.

Trims & equipment: There are three trim levels, Feel, Origins and Flair, and even the cheapest C3 Aircross comes well stocked with comfort, convenience and infotainment features. Feel packs most of the kit that most people will need, including a touchscreen infotainment system, air conditioning and cruise control. It's worth looking for a car that's had the optional Active Safety Braking (Citroën’s term for AEB) added, or the optional City Pack for its rear parking sensors and that sliding rear seat bench. Origins trim brings mainly cosmetic upgrades that mark the Citroën brand’s centenary, while range-topping Flair adds more sophisticated climate control, rain-sensing wipers and keyless entry and start, plus a few personalisation options that you would have had to fork out extra for on the cheaper trims.

Later models revised the trim range to C-Series, Rip Curl, Shine and Shine Plus.

Ride & handling: From the looks of the car and the way you sink into its soft seat cushions, you’d think that you’ll be in for a comfortable driving experience. However, spend some time in the C3 Aircross and you’ll find your body bobbing a lot and your head being tossed from side to side more vigorously than a green salad in a Michelin star restaurant. It can also be quite jarring on rough roads, because its suspension can't cope with potholes, and tends to send shudders through the chassis when you strike one.

What’s more, the gearbox is vague in its operation and has an unpleasant rubbery feel. Compounding this, the clutch pedal is numb and takes a while to get used to, plus the steering is remote and not the best for placing the car in a corner. You’ll also have to put up with plenty of body roll in the bends.

Interior & practicality: So, the driving experience certainly isn't the C3 Aircross's strongest suit. However, practicality is. It's far from the biggest car in the world, but you can get quite a lot of stuff in it, thanks to its boxy shape and the fact that you can fold down both the rear and front passenger seats. On high-spec Flair models, you can also get sliding rear seats to increase boot space at the expense of leg room.

Adults won’t be overstruck with the amount of space in the rear, but it's fine for young children. The driver and front passenger do get plenty of leg and shoulder room, though. Head room is great for all, so long as you don't buy a car fitted with the optional glass sunroof.

On the safety front, the C3 Aircross achieved a full five-star Euro NCAP safety rating when it was tested back in November 2017. Plus, all versions come with lane departure warning (that annoyingly reactivates every time you start the car, regardless of whether you switched it off) and speed limit recognition. Automatic emergency braking was an option and is worth looking out for.

If you're interested in buying a used Citroen C3 Aircross, or any of the other cars mentioned here, check out our used car classifieds site here.

Page 1 of 5

Ownership cost

What used Citroen C3 Aircross will I get for my budget?

Prices for a C3 Aircross start at £6000 for a 2017 or 2018 1.2 Feel. Spend between £7000 and £10,000 on a good 2018 or even early 2019 models, and you'll need around £10,000 to £12,000 on a 2020 or 2021 car. Spend between £12,000 and £15,000 on a good 2022 or 2023 model, a little more for a 2024 car.

To keep up to date with used C3 Aircross prices, use our free valuation tool to make sure you're getting the best deal.

Check the value of a used Citroën C3 Aircross with What Car? Valuations

Our recommendations

Which used Citroen C3 Aircross should I buy?

The more expensive diesel models only make sense if you cover a galactic number of miles a year, so we’d choose the sweeter 1.2-litre 109bhp turbo petrol for the best blend of performance, running costs and refinement.

Of the three trim levels, go for mid-range Feel, because this gets you a 7.0in touchscreen infotainment system that’s missing on the more basic Touch, plus air conditioning, cruise control and automatic lights. Top-of-the-range Flair is fine if you want extra personalisation options on your car and sliding rear seats, but there’s little point spending the extra money to buy one.

Our favourite Citroën C3 Aircross: 1.2 110 Feel

Page 4 of 5

Alternatives

What alternatives should I consider to a used Citroen C3 Aircross?

If you want the best used small SUV, look no further than the Seat Arona. It came on the market around the same time as the C3 Aircross, but it has since set the standard for what a small SUV should be like. Despite being sportier to drive, it actually has a more compliant ride and doesn’t roll nearly as much around corners. It’s a little more expensive to buy but well worth it.

Then there’s the Kia Stonic. This is another small SUV that runs rings around the C3 Aircross when it comes to handling, but it doesn't deal with rough roads and potholes quite so competently as the Arona. It does come with a much longer warranty, though, especially if you buy one through Kia’s approved used scheme because this tops the cover back up to seven years.

The Toyota C-HR is not the most practical small SUV, but it does drive rather well and you can find it in hybrid form. It comes with Toyota’s famed reputation for reliability, which should mean years of trouble-free motoring.

The Suzuki Vitara is a similar size to the Aircross. It’s good to drive, has a practical interior and is well-equipped. On the minus side, its CO2 emissions are quite high.

For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? Newsletter here

If you're interested in buying a used Citroen C3 Aircross, or any of the other cars mentioned here, check out our used car classifieds site here.

Page 5 of 5