Citroen C3 Aircross 2019 Review

In recent years, competition in Malaysia's A-Segment SUV market has become increasingly fierce. Consumers want compact and agile vehicles for urban commuting while also expecting enough space and features to meet family needs. The 2019 Citroen C3 AIRCROSS targets this specific market. Its core selling points include a rare wide-body design in its class and safety features such as 6 airbags. At the same time, its pricing at approximately 110,000 aims to break through in terms of cost-effectiveness. This test drive will focus on its spatial practicality, dynamic performance, and feature rationale to see if this French compact SUV can win over local consumers.

From the exterior, the C3 AIRCROSS adopts an overall rounded line design. The front features a multi-layered grille with high recognition, where the upper grille connects to the split headlights on both sides via chrome trim. The lower grille has a black honeycomb design, paired with round fog lights on either side of the front bumper. The overall style is youthful and lively. The side of the car has relatively simple lines, with the floating roof design being a major highlight. The 17-inch dual-tone wheels further enhance its sporty feel. At the rear, the smoked LED taillights echo the silver skid plate on the rear bumper, preserving the SUV's ruggedness without compromising on detailed design.

Entering the interior, the C3 AIRCROSS uses a dark color scheme as the main tone. The top of the center console is wrapped in soft materials, accented with silver trim. The texture is above average within its class. The center console area is equipped with a 7-inch touchscreen that supports Bluetooth connectivity and phone mirroring features. While the operation fluency is acceptable, the interface design is relatively simple and lacks more advanced interactive functions. The seats are made of fabric material, and the front row seats support six-way manual adjustment. The wrapping is average, but the soft padding ensures decent comfort for long journeys. It is worth mentioning that the vehicle comes equipped as standard with 6 airbags, electronic stability control, and a reversing camera, making its safety features quite prominent among A-Segment SUVs.

Space performance is one of the core advantages of the C3 AIRCROSS. Its body dimensions are 4154mm in length, 1976mm in width, and 1637mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2604mm. Particularly, the width of 1976mm has virtually no competitors in its class. In real-world seating experiences, the front row headroom is one fist and two fingers, while the rear legroom reaches one fist and three fingers, with headroom at one fist. Even passengers as tall as 1.8 meters will not feel cramped. In terms of storage capacity, the trunk's standard volume is 410L, which can be expanded to 1289L when the rear seats are folded down, enough to accommodate baby strollers or camping gear. Additionally, multiple storage compartments are designed inside, including a central armrest console and door panel slots, making it highly practical for daily use.

In terms of power, the C3 AIRCROSS is equipped with a 1.2T three-cylinder turbocharged engine, producing a maximum power of 112PS and a maximum torque of 205N·m. It is paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. During actual driving, the power response in the starting phase is relatively gentle. After the turbo kicks in, the power output becomes gradually linear. The official 0-100km/h acceleration time is 10.4 seconds, which is basically sufficient for daily commuting and highway overtaking. The transmission shifts gears with clear logic and smooth transitions, though it shows some delay when reacting to rapid acceleration. Driving modes include Eco, Standard, and Sport, where the throttle response is more aggressive in Sport mode.

The control and chassis performance reflect the tuning characteristics of French cars. The steering wheel has a light steering force and average precision, but with minimal play, making it suitable for urban driving. The suspension system adopts a front MacPherson independent suspension and a rear torsion beam non-independent suspension, which is tuned for comfort. It filters out minor road bumps thoroughly, but the body leans noticeably during high-speed cornering, indicating room for improvement in support. In terms of braking, the brake pedal has a moderate travel, braking force is released linearly, and the body remains stable during emergency braking.

During the fuel consumption test, we drove 50km each on congested urban roads and highways, with the air conditioner on throughout the test. The final combined fuel consumption was 9.8L/100km, slightly higher than the official figure of 9.45L/100km. However, considering the congested road conditions during the test, this result is within the normal range for this class. As for noise control, engine noise at idle is minimal, wind noise and tire noise are negligible at speeds below 60km/h, and wind noise increases gradually above 80km/h but remains within an acceptable range.

In summary, the core advantages of the 2019 Citroen C3 AIRCROSS lie in its spacious interior, safety features, and the comfort-oriented French tuning. Compared to competitors like the Honda HR-V or Toyota C-HR, it offers better interior space but falls slightly behind in terms of power and smart features. This vehicle is suitable for family users who prioritize space functionality and safety features, especially those who frequently need to carry goods or travel with multiple passengers. Its compact body also makes it suitable for urban commuting. However, if you are seeking more powerful performance or advanced tech features, other competitors might be worth considering. Overall, the C3 AIRCROSS is a small SUV with distinct highlights in space and safety. Its pricing at around 110,000 RMB gives it a significant value proposition, making it a practical choice for consumers.