The 2025 Citroen C3 Aircross Review A Compact SUV That Redefines Urban Luxury

The 2025 Citroën C3 Aircross is Citroën’s refreshed take on a compact SUV, blending practicality with a touch of luxury and style. It aims to cater to both city drivers and small families by offering a highly flexible interior, modern powertrains (including mild hybrid and full EV), and a design that feels premium yet accessible. Here, we explore what makes this SUV compelling, where it shines, and where it might fall short.

Full Specifications & Powertrains

Engine Options & Power

• The base (ICE) version uses a 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol PureTech engine. According to Citroën’s brochure, it makes 110 PS (~81 kW) at 5,500 rpm and 205 Nm torque at 1,750 rpm.
• Transmission: You can choose between a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed automatic (torque-converter) depending on the trim.
• Electrified versions:
  • Mild-hybrid: There’s a 48-volt mild-hybrid version (in European spec) that pairs the 1.2L turbo with a dual-clutch automatic.
  • Fully electric: The EV version uses a 44 kWh lithium-ion battery, giving over 300 km of WLTP-equivalent range.Citroën indicates a future EV version (2025) may offer more than 400 km of range.
• Charging (EV):
  • Using a 7 kW AC charger, it takes about 4 h 10 min to go from 20% to 80%.
  • On 100 kW DC fast charger: 20–80% in ~26 minutes.

Dimensions, Chassis & Practical Details

• Length × Width × Height: 4,323 mm × 1,796 mm × 1,669 mm.
• Wheelbase: 2,671 mm.
• Fuel Tank: 45 liters (for the petrol version).
• Kerb Weight: ~1,275 kg (for some trims).
• Boot / Cargo Space:
  • With the optional 3rd row (if removed): 511 L.
  • With 2nd row folded: up to 839 L.
• Suspension:
  • Front: MacPherson strut with coil springs
  • Rear: Twist-beam with coil springs.
• Brakes: Ventilated disc at the front, drums at the rear.
• Tyres / Wheels: 17-inch alloy wheels with 215/60 R17 tyres.
• Steering: Electric power steering, with a turning circle radius of ~5.4 m.

Design & Interior Features

• Exterior Styling: The new C3 Aircross gets a squarer, more assertive look.
• Interior Comfort:
  • Uses Citroën’s Advanced Comfort® seats for better support.
  • The “C-Zen Lounge” concept: a laid-back cabin feel with minimal visual clutter.
• Infotainment / Dashboard:
  • A 10.25-inch touchscreen for infotainment.
  • Digital instrument cluster, integrated smoothly into the dash design.
  • Head-Up Display (HUD) available in some versions.
• Comfort & Practicality:
  • Progressive hydraulic bump stops in the suspension help with ride comfort.
  • Flexible seating: available in 5-seater or 7-seater layout.
  • Electric power steering and a relatively compact turning radius make it city-friendly.
• Safety & Driver Assistance:
  • European version gets a richer ADAS suite: lane-keep assist, traffic sign recognition, driver attention alert.
  • Several airbags, depending on variant.

Performance & Driving Impressions

• Petrol Engine (1.2L PureTech):
  • In real-world reviews, this engine is praised for smoothness and peppy mid-range.
  • According to Autocar India, 0-100 kph or acceleration isn’t super aggressive, but performance feels adequate for both urban and highway driving.
  • Transmission choices influence driving feel: manual gives more driver engagement; automatic is more convenient for city traffic.
• Mild-Hybrid Version:
  • Adds some electrical assistance, improving efficiency and making gear shifts smoother (in e-DCT).
• Electric Version:
  • EV offers quiet, refined operation.
  • Charging flexibility (fast DC + AC) adds practicality.
  • Range (300+ km, with even higher version coming) makes it a strong candidate for city commuting and occasional longer trips.
• Ride & Handling:
  • Thanks to the advanced comfort suspension, ride quality is reported as very soft yet controlled.
  • Body roll is moderate — it’s not a sport SUV, but handles urban potholes and bumps very well.
• Fuel Efficiency:
  • According to product-bank spec sheet: around 17.6–18.23 km/l (for petrol, depending on transmission)
  • Efficiency is fairly competitive in its class.

Strengths & Advantages

1. Highly Flexible Interior: The option of a 7-seater layout is rare in such a compact footprint — great for families.
2. Multiple Powertrain Choices: From petrol to mild hybrid to full EV — gives customers a lot of flexibility depending on their needs.
3. Comfort-Oriented Design: Citroën’s Advanced Comfort seats and suspension make it very comfortable, especially on city roads or rough patches.
4. Modern Infotainment: Big touchscreen, HUD, and attractive digital dash give it a premium feel.
5. Efficient EV Option: With fast charging and decent range, the EV could be very practical for urban use.
6. Compact Size + Usability: Enough cabin space + boot while still being easy to drive and park in city traffic.

Potential Drawbacks or Trade-offs

• Performance Limitations: The base petrol engine, while smooth, is not very powerful — acceleration isn’t very aggressive, especially for heavier loads or 7-seater config.
• Electric Version Range Risk: While >300 km is decent, real-world range might be lower depending on driving conditions.
• Transmission Choice Trade-off: Manual is engaging but less convenient; automatic is more city-friendly but may not feel as sporty.
• Less Advanced ADAS on Some Markets: Depending on the market (e.g., India), some of the more advanced safety or driver-assist systems may not be available.
• Price Sensitivity: With multiple variants, choosing the right spec is important to balance cost vs features.

Verdict & Final Thoughts

The 2025 Citroën C3 Aircross stands out as a very smart urban SUV that doesn’t compromise on flexibility or style. Its strength lies in offering a tailored experience — whether you want a petrol daily driver, a mild-hybrid for better efficiency, or a fully electric version for zero-emission city driving.