Citroën C3 Aircross gets a bold mid-life restyling

First introduced in 2017 and with 330,000 units sold, the Citroën C3 Aircross has now received the brand’s traditional mid-life restyling, following the path already taken by its “brother”, the C3. Unlike many facelift updates, the changes are immediately noticeable when you look at the front of the refreshed model.

Citroën C3 Aircross: a more striking new front end

Up front, the revised car adopts Citroën’s latest design signature, first seen in 2020 on the C3 and inspired by the CXPERIENCE concept. The differences are clear: the previous headlamps, whose shape leaned towards a square profile, have been replaced by far slimmer units integrated into a small upper grille. The bumper is also new and now incorporates a much larger grille.

Personalisation: 70 possible combinations

Beyond the updated nose, the revised C3 Aircross puts a strong emphasis on customisation, offering a total of 70 possible combinations. These are built around seven exterior paint colours (three of them new), four “Packs Color” (including two new textured-effect colours), two roof colours, and new 16-inch (41 cm) and 17-inch (43 cm) alloy wheels.

What changes inside?

Inside, the personalisation theme remains central, with four cabin “ambiences” to choose from - the standard one, “Urban Blue”, “Metropolitan Graphite” and “Hype Grey” - and the promise of improved comfort and more technology.

On the comfort side, the C3 Aircross benefits from the adoption of “Advanced Comfort” seats, first introduced on the C4 Cactus and the C5 Aircross, and which are available in the “Urban Blue”, “Metropolitan Graphite” and “Hype Grey” ambiences.

New infotainment and driver assistance technology

In terms of technology, the key addition is a new 9-inch (23 cm) touchscreen featuring the “Citroën Connect Nav” system and the “Mirror Screen” function compatible with Android Auto and Apple Car Play.

In addition, the C3 Aircross also offers wireless charging for smartphones and 12 driver-assistance technologies, including a head-up display, speed-limit sign recognition and recommendation, the “Active Safety Brake” system, and automatic headlight dipping.

Available as well with systems such as “Park Assist” and a parking-assistance camera, the C3 Aircross also continues to offer “Grip Control” with “Hill Assist Descent”.

Engines and UK-market availability timing

As for the engine line-up, it continues to be based around two petrol options and two Diesel options. The petrol range is centred on the 1.2 PureTech with 110 hp or 130 hp, paired respectively with a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic gearbox.

The Diesel offering consists of the 1.5 BlueHDi with 110 hp or 120 hp, matched to a six-speed manual (on the former) and a six-speed automatic (on the latter). Pricing had not yet been announced, but the updated Citroën C3 Aircross was expected to reach dealers from June 2021.