Citroën C3 Facelift (2021) First Drive Impressions: Adding colour to the supermini class
The supermini market segment keeps growing with leaps and bounds, so it’s logical that every manufacturer wants a slice of this lucrative pie. Designed to stand out in this crowded marketplace, the latest Citroën C3 brings an expanded features list, refreshed styling, and dashing colours to the party.
After heralding a new design language for Citroën upon its first introduction in 2016, the current (third-) generation C3 has met with international success in a highly-competitive market. It’s probably the combination of an appearance that strikes a great balance between cuddly and assertive, along with a rather well-stocked standard specification sheet, that guarantees this model’s popularity among style-conscious buyers.
Related: Shop for new and used Citroën C3 cars for sale here.
What’s new with this facelift?
This round of changes is focused on a refreshed appearance, improvements to occupant comfort, and an updated equipment list. While the new C3’s overall appearance is still very familiar, detail changes to the grille, bumpers, and light clusters brings it subtly yet noticeably up-to-date. Of particular interest is the expanded colour palette, which includes some vivid new shades as alternatives to the somber white, grey and bronze with which the C3 was offered up till now.
You’ll need to look a bit more closely to spot the other improvements, however. Up front, the main changes involve new LED headlight clusters, and a revised grille with chrome accents which extend the unmistakable Citroën “Double Chevron” motif across the entire front end. At the rear, the distinctive 3D-effect tail lamps remain, but the C-pillars are treated to a simplified decal design to lend greater design cohesion (and a closer relation to the rest of the Citroën range).
Interior changes
It’s inside the cabin where this update’s revisions are more noticeable. For starters, completely redesigned seats (named “Advanced Comfort” in Citroën-speak) deliver a significant boost to occupant comfort. These new seats really are superlatively supportive and comfortable without being confining or firm in the modern idiom, as proven by an extended stint in congested traffic during our launch drive. Meanwhile, their new upholstery design is as pleasing to your eyes as the seats themselves are soothing to your spine.
The other notable cabin improvement revolves around the high-trim “Shine” trim level’s infotainment system. This 7-inch colour touchscreen-based system (which also controls some car functions such as the climate control) now incorporates full smartphone mirroring, along with Bluetooth/USB/Aux inputs and a multifunction steering wheel (the latter featuring on both “Feel” and “Shine” variants).
Large-car technology
The entire range also benefits from added convenience- and safety equipment. Highlights across the board include climate control, electric front windows with one-touch operation, and a refined cruise control system, which interfaces with the traffic sign recognition system to recommend speed changes where appropriate as you drive along. Other standard safety features include driver attention warning, lane departure warning, 6 airbags, hill-start assist, and stability control.
High-level Shine trim adds automatic operation for the wipers and headlights, front fog lamps, welcome/follow-me-home lights, and rear parking sensors. Interestingly, only the Shine feature's Citroën’s unique “Air Bumps”: scratch- and dent-resistant inserts into the lower doors, to protect against parking lot damage.
Any mechanical revisions?
One thing that remained untouched is the powertrain selection, where the Groupe PSA (now renamed Stellantis) corporate 3-cylinder (PureTech) engines remain in service, in both naturally-aspirated and turbocharged form. The Citroën C3 Feel features the naturally-aspirated version of this 1.2-litre engine, producing 60 kW and 118 Nm, and driving the front wheels through a 5-speed manual gearbox. It’s claimed to reach 100 km/h in 13.2 seconds, and has a top speed of 169 km/h.
The higher-powered engine is found in the C3 Shine, where turbocharging boosts outputs to 81 kW and 205 Nm. This engine is only available with a 6-speed automatic gearbox, for claimed performance figures of a 0 – 100 km/h dash in 9.4 seconds, and a top speed of 194 km/h.
2021 Citroën C3 model range and prices
Citroën C3 1.2 Feel 60 kW 5MT (manual): R 269 900
Citroën C3 1.2 (turbo) Shine 81 kW EAT6 (auto): R 329 900
Prices include a warranty for 5 years or 100 000 km, and a service plan for 3 years or 60 000 km.
*Prices were accurate at the time of writing, but may change without prior notice.
