New Citroën C3 Aircross arrives with prices below €20,000 and €30,000

The "C3 offensive" shows no sign of slowing down, with the new Citroën C3 Aircross reaching the Portuguese market with aggressive pricing: under €20,000 for the petrol version and under €30,000 for the electric version.

We travelled to Paris to see the new-generation B-SUV, which has grown in every direction, gained an optional seven-seat layout, and introduced new electrified powertrains.

In terms of size, the new French compact SUV now measures 4.39 m long, 1.79 m wide and 1.66 m tall - increases of 235 mm, 60 mm and 30 mm respectively. The wheelbase is also up by 60 mm, to 2.67 m.

That extra footprint is clearly felt inside. The new C3 Aircross offers more generous cabin space and, in the five-seat version, a large boot of 460 L, expandable to 1,600 L with the rear seats folded.

Choosing the seven-seat configuration means part of the added space is taken up by the third row (a two-seat bench with 50/50 split-fold backrests). As a result, boot capacity drops to just 40 L, rising to 330 L once the third row is folded down.

On top of that, the second row also loses 65 mm of knee room, matching the figures of the smaller C3.

From this first in-person look, it is also clear that getting into the third row is far from effortless, because the second row does not slide. Access requires folding the second-row backrest and rotating the seat towards the front row.

Once you are back there, space is very tight, especially for legs. The third row is better suited to children or shorter passengers, and is more appropriate for occasional use or short trips.

Citroën points to the Dacia Duster as one of the new C3 Aircross’s rivals, even though the Romanian model does not offer a seven-seat option or a 100% electric variant. In Dacia’s line-up, seven seats are reserved for the Jogger, which provides a roomier and more usable third row.

Electrification for everyone

Engine choice has broadened for the new C3 Aircross, with fresh electrified options joining the range. Even so, the entry point remains the 1.2 Turbo petrol engine with 100 hp.

The new additions begin with the 48 V mild-hybrid powertrain - or Hybrid 136 - making its debut in the C3 Aircross. It pairs the 1.2 PureTech engine producing 100 kW (136 hp) with a 21 kW (28 hp) electric motor integrated into the six-speed e-DCT dual-clutch gearbox.

The biggest headline for the new C3 Aircross is the introduction of a 100% electric powertrain, offered only with the five-seat layout, making it Citroën’s first compact SUV available in this form.

The all-electric C3 Aircross uses the same motor and battery as the ë-C3: an 83 kW (113 hp) motor matched to a 44 kWh battery (43.7 kWh usable).

It promises a range of more than 300 km (type approval pending). For those who need more, a version offering over 400 km of range is planned for 2025.

There are two AC charging options, 7 kW and 11 kW. Charging from 20% to 80% takes 4h10min with the former and around 2h50min with the latter. DC fast charging is available at up to 100 kW, cutting the 20% to 80% charging time to 26 minutes.

C3 cues

Beyond that, the C3 Aircross’s key characteristics are inherited directly from the C3 and ë-C3, sharing the Smart Car platform and much more.

This carries through from the exterior styling to the cabin, where a horizontal dashboard design is paired with a 10.25" touchscreen.

As with the other C3 models, the 2024 Aircross comes in two trim levels: You and Max. The Max specification adds two-tone paint, 17" alloy wheels, a reversing camera, and automatic air conditioning.

Starting from what price?

The first Citroën C3 Aircross units are due to reach the market at the end of the final quarter for the five-seat version, and at the start of next year for the seven-seat version. Even so, orders open this Friday, 21 June.

Pricing for Citroën’s compact SUV is therefore set out as follows:

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