Citroën C3 Aircross: seven seats and a sub-20 000-euro challenge to the Dacia Duster

Gareth J. Hargreaves • August 22, 2026 07:16

Room for seven and hard-hitting prices. That’s the recipe the Citroën C3 Aircross is using to take on the Dacia Duster.

New cars are getting more expensive every year. Even so, it’s still possible to buy an SUV with the essential kit and space for up to seven people for under 20 000 euros.

Starting in Portugal at 19 290 euros, the new Citroën C3 Aircross lines up as a direct rival to the Dacia Duster - and it looks ready to be a genuinely tough opponent.

We drove it first in Barcelona, Spain, to understand what compromises were needed to hit this cut-throat price point. Here’s what we found.

The secret is the platform

To slip under the 20 000-euro mark, it was crucial for the new Citroën C3 Aircross to be built on Stellantis’ new global Smart Car platform, refined with support from India’s Tata.

This architecture - which also underpins the new Citroën C3, Opel Frontera and FIAT Grande Panda - opens the door to a multi-energy engine line-up and offers plenty of flexibility in terms of layout.

That flexibility shows up clearly in the dimensions: the C3 Aircross is 38 cm longer than the Citroën C3, which makes it possible to offer (as an option, for an extra 700 euros) a seven-seat configuration.

At this international launch, the seven-seat versions weren’t available to drive. Even so, and as you can see in the featured video, I was pleased with the space in the five-seat variants - especially for rear passengers.

‘Oli’ influences

Forgive the wordplay on the Citroën Oli name - a concept we had the chance to drive in 2022 - but its design cues are gradually shaping the look of the brand’s latest models.

The upright front end, featuring Citroën’s new logo and the fresh ‘C’-shaped lighting signature, is a strong example - though it’s far from the only one. The pronounced bumpers, chunky plastic wheel-arch protection and straight-edged surfacing all add to the rugged stance of this SUV.

Inside, the Oli influence is also apparent, with an emphasis on simplicity. Much like what Dacia has been doing successfully for years, Citroën has focused on what most drivers actually need - and that intention is obvious the moment you settle into the C3 Aircross.

Hard-touch plastics are everywhere, that’s true, but the build feels sturdy and confidence-inspiring. They’re also balanced out by fabrics made from recycled materials, which help lift the overall impression of quality.

Equipment doesn’t feel stripped-back either: there’s a 10,25” touchscreen (available from the Plus trim), automatic air conditioning, a rear parking camera, and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

On top of that, a head-up display projected at the top of the dashboard is standard, replacing a traditional instrument cluster.

And, of course, it’s worth highlighting the broad list of driver assistance systems fitted as standard, including driver attention alert, speed limit recognition, lane-keeping alert and cruise control with a limiter.

Versions for (almost) everyone

Citroën’s plan for the coming years revolves around a multi-energy approach, and the new C3 Aircross makes that clear by offering three different powertrains.

The range starts with a non-electrified 1.2 Turbo three-cylinder engine producing 100 cv, paired with a six-speed manual gearbox.

Above that sits a hybrid option, combining a 1.2 Puretech engine with 136 cv, a 48 V mild-hybrid system, a 21 kW (28 cv) electric motor - integrated into the e-DCT transmission - and a small 0,89 kWh battery.

Finally, the biggest new addition to the C3 Aircross line-up is its first fully electric version, using the same technical package we already know from the ë-C3. That means an 83 kW (113 cv) electric motor and a 44 kWh LFP battery, delivering a maximum range of up to 306 km.

That’s the version I drove around Barcelona, and it didn’t take many kilometres to realise it feels very similar to the ë-C3 I tested a few months ago in Austria.

Comfort comes first

From the very first miles, it’s clear comfort was a key target for Citroën’s engineers. This model uses the brand’s familiar suspension with double hydraulic stops, designed to limit vertical body movement and noticeably improve the way it deals with the road.

The steering is light and a little vague, which probably won’t satisfy anyone after a more engaging, sporty feel. But if comfort is your priority, this SUV fits the brief.

That straightforward approach to the exterior and cabin is mirrored in day-to-day operation: everything feels simple and unintimidating. Don’t expect neck-snapping acceleration - there are other electric cars for that.

In town, where an electric powertrain and this sort of range make the most sense, you can count on a nimble car that’s very easy to drive.

And since range is the topic: during this first drive, I found it somewhat difficult to maintain a pace that kept me within the brand’s claimed range figures.

Still, if you want to know what you’re actually consuming, you currently need paper, a pen and a calculator. At least until Citroën releases an update that will show live consumption data in the digital display - something expected over the next few months.

A rational choice

Whichever version you choose, one word dominates: rationality. Regardless of engine or trim level, the C3 Aircross consistently offers one of the best price-to-value propositions in its class.

And on the subject of price, here is the table for Portugal:

For companies and sole traders, tax advantages make the electric version the only option that truly adds up. For private buyers, it comes down to how you use the car and whether you can charge at home or at work.

If you can, the running costs of the electric version are hard to beat. If you’ll be relying on the public charging network, then I’ll be a friend and spare you a massive headache by saying: “don’t buy electric”.

With that said, the price of the 1.2 Turbo version stands out immediately - especially if space is what you’re after. Because for 700 euros more, you can have an SUV with seven-seat capacity, an argument that will surely help the C3 Aircross succeed in Portugal.