Citroen has managed to "build a name" (among other things) for two things: For active safety, but also for the comfort that all of its models have offered over time. It is therefore right to bank on these strengths in its current range. Clear proof of this is the C3 Sport, with its 1.2 PureTech petrol engine, with an output of 110 hp, which we are testing.
The small Citroen with its beautiful two-tone paint scheme is one of the French brand's "supercars". Due to its dimensions, the C3 belongs to the category of supermini, which in today's conditions, are called upon to play all the roles. With its 4 doors and clever layout, it serves the family as a basic means of transport, taking advantage of its two volumes and relatively compact dimensions for city commuting, but it is also capable, comfortable and safe for the family to make the trips they plan. Which also explains why we are all "sweet-talking" it, considering it to be our next everyday car.
In terms of design, our test version has the classic modern Citroen design with the grille that runs through the brand's badge, ending in the wedge-shaped LEDs, under which the lights are "recessed", creating an aggressive front end. On the sides, Citroen's airbumps, as a... salvation from careless fellow citizens steal the show, while at the rear there are also matt plastic bumpers for parking and unparking. It would be a total lifesaver if the airbumps were extended to all 4 corners of the car, protecting the bumpers from... cannibals.
In our test grey, there are red-tinted details such as the mirrors and front air vents, which are the same colour as the cathedral roof and make a stylish combination. The handsome black 17-inch wheels and the distinctive logo in white that reads 'C3 Sport', demonstrate that this, is 'different' from other Citroen cars.
Inside, we have good quality materials, with extra trim, such as the red accents around the leather on the dashboard, a three-spoke steering wheel and, in the centre, a handy touchscreen that brings together all the car's essential functions (radio, navigation, air conditioning, etc). The screen has a quick response and easy menus, although some will miss the classic switches when, for example, they need to exit one menu (e.g. radio) to make adjustments to another (such as air conditioning, which, incidentally, performs very well, both in the hot Greek sun and on cold winter nights). In general, however, the interior of the C3 Sport is ergonomic and won't be a problem or tiring on daily commutes and trips.
The highlight of this particular car, of course, is none other than the seats. Citroen has, in fact, given... change in this area, creating seats that you can't get enough of sitting in. They may have modest support, but more importantly, they provide a level of comfort found in premium models, which cost (at least) several tens of thousands of euros more. To say that these seats don't get tired on long drives, or in the endless waiting for traffic on the highway, is an understatement, and the only way to describe the feeling is to test it. Seriously. The best thing you can do is go and sit in one of these Citroens.
Along with the space for small items, which we would have liked more and more "convenient", but also the ample space for front and rear passengers of all sizes (a tall person, over 1.85 meters tall, will sit comfortably in terms of knees and head on the rear seat), and the 300 liters of trunk space, the C3 makes no concessions. Not bad for a car under 4 metres long, which is easily comfortable in the city.
On the road
Since such work has been done on the seats, it would be... a sin for the French to spoil the feeling with stiff suspension and annoying ride quality. So they put all their "art" into it and created a... magic carpet. The C3 is indifferent to the potholes and bumps of Greek roads and "filters" everything as if it were passing through... straightening, without turbulence, bumps and annoying sounds inside, while a very good job has been done on soundproofing.
The emphasis on passenger comfort hasn't affected the road handling, as the small Citroen follows the steering wheel without drama. Even when pushed too hard, the C3 Sport has mild reactions that warn and don't scare, while the overall set-up, along with the brakes, provide the driver with a sense of security, even when driving at high speeds, where no annoying 'cruising' effects and scary reactions occur. The only "dissonance" is the slightly increased gradients in corners, which, however, are not annoying.
It's comfortable, it's safe, but when it comes to the engine, what happens? The three-cylinder 1.2-litre turbo produces 110bhp (at 5,500rpm) and 205Nm of torque from as low as 1,500rpm. The increased torque available from low, coupled with the excellent feel and gearbox, give the C3 Sport the feeling that it is faster than it is, as it seems "eager" throughout the rev range to move swiftly and without being noisy.
The 9.4 seconds it takes to reach 100 km/h from a standstill and 193 km/h of its final speed, certainly do not resemble sporty constructions, but they are not negligible numbers for a model with such a small engine, which even proves to be very economical, as in our test the consumption was around 6.5 lt/100 km, in mixed routes. This engine seems to fit the model "like a glove", which, with the addition of this engine, can move swiftly on all kinds of routes and, above all, in comfort.
In conclusion, the little Citroen is so spacious, comfortable, convenient, versatile, quick, stylish and economical that it makes you wonder if it's really worth taking the 'step' up to the family car and going 'up a class' to that of the C4. And certainly, it's a true representative of the French school that has made history for its road manners, comfort and practicality in all conditions, while managing to be a stylish "statement" at the same time. Our test version, Sport, costs 16,635 euros with full equipment (ABS, ESP, Hill Assist, tyre pressure monitoring, cruise control, lane departure warning, lane change warning, traffic sign recognition, 6 airbags, 4 sunroofs, 4 airbags, and a full range of safety features). Windows, central locking with remote control, automatic air conditioning, Citroen Connect Radio with 6 speakers, 7″ colour touchscreen, Mirror Screen function, Bluetooth, USB port and Jack socket, navigation, reversing camera and rear parking sensors, 17" alloy wheels, fog lights, etc.).
