New Citroen C3 2020: comfort and an infinity of colors. The test drive

Eighteen years of honorable career and sales numbers at the top both in Italy and in Europe, yet the Citroen C3 it is fresher, more sparkling and more captivating than ever. Even more so with the latest 2020 restyling, which does not substantially change the aesthetics of the car, but increases the possibilities of customization and driving comfort, truly at the top in the segment in question.

Virgilio Motori tried the Citroen C3 in a test drive a Oggiono (Lecco) where the presentation press conference was held. Driving on the panoramas roads surrounding Lake Como we were able to fully enjoy the comfort and driveability of this true Citroen best-seller.

Lots of customization

Style is definitely a strong point of the C3, further enriched in the set-ups of the 2020 version that come to allow well 97 combinations color between bodywork and roof. Customizations that appeal to the public, given that 65% of C3 sold in Italy in the previous version it is in two colors. The side air-bumps on the doors have been confirmed and made more robust, a novelty introduced by the previous C3 to protect the side bodywork. The optical groups are enriched with standard Led projectors, the V-shaped design of the front is slightly accentuated. New proposals also for 16 or 17-inch alloy wheels.

Top comfort for a B Segment

In line with its recent history, Citroen has focused heavily on comfort also with regard to the small C3. Good space in the trunk, 300 liters which become 1300 with seats folded down even if the access step is a bit high. But it is the driving comfort that is particularly interesting. Starting with the ‘Advanced comfort’ seats, made incredibly comfortable from a polyurethane insert to different textures that offer the right hardness and above all a really effective lumbar support. Comfort is increased by the large glass surfaces, which offer excellent all-round visibility, and by good internal soundproofing.

Suspensions

A separate chapter deserves the suspension system, capable of filter and neutralize roughness surprisingly. You drive with a feeling of absolute softness, which in an urban context really makes a difference. This is thanks to Citroen’s long work on the suspension, which gives a noticeable feeling of softness to the segment, even without using electronic or pneumatic elements. All without losing anything in terms of handling and dynamic reactivity. The set-up seems really centered, the roll is contained as well as the understeer when exiting, while the changes of direction are extremely dynamic despite the persistent sensation of softness.

Driving aids and infotainment

Infotainment is managed via the central touch screen compatible with Android Auto and Apple Car Play. From here it is possible to manage not only the media, but also navigation and air conditioning. Obviously there is no lack of driving aids in the safety equipment, mostly present as standard: active lane maintenance, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian recognition and cruise control.

Engines

Two engines, one petrol and one diesel, with three choices. The turbo-petrol is available with a 1.2 three-cylinder engine with both 87 horsepower manual gearbox – which can also be used for novice drivers, a plus – and 110 horsepower with 6-speed automatic gearbox (or manual). The turbo diesel is a 100 horsepower 1.5, always with a 6-speed manual gearbox.

How are you

In our test drive we tried the two presumably most sought after versions on the Italian market: the 100 horsepower diesel and the 110 horsepower petrol with automatic transmission.

Diesel: perfect for everyday use, torque is practically always available and driveability is excellent. Thanks to the calibration of the ratios, the extension is beyond the expectations of a diesel: pulled the first 4 gears it is well over 100kmh with still the fifth to push and the sixth to rest. The steering is not too communicative and the pedals are a bit ‘light’, but these are typical characteristics of all small compacts. We were not convinced by the clutch of the manual gearbox, which sometimes detaches somewhat abruptly.

Petrol: the 110 horsepower version, beyond the consumption needs that vary from person to person, seems the most ‘centered’ on this machine. If you think of the 1.0 three-cylinder engines mounted on compact SUVs or crossovers, here we have a 1.2 for a car that weighs just over 1000 kg, ensuring a perfect weight-to-power ratio. And in fact the C3 is always awake and ready to free itself from any condition. On the other hand, the automatic transmission is excellent in this case, very precise both uphill and downhill.

Prices

The 2020 Citroen C3 starts from 14.100 euro with the Live version, available only with the PureTech 83 engine up to a maximum of 21.600 euro for the PureTech 110 version with automatic transmission.

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