It’s been six years since Citroën debuted the second-generation C3 and three years since the car’s last facelift. Now, Citroën is kicking off the 2017 model year with a redesigned C3, and let me just say that it is a huge departure from the outgoing model. The front end has been completely redesigned; the side panels now include Airbump panels like we’ve seen previously on the C3 Cactus, and the new generation brings a new range of personalization options previously unavailable to the C3. Furthermore, there is some new technology to talk about, and Citroën has even gone so far as to add in the option of four different interior themes. In the power department, there is are three gasoline-powered engines and two diesel-powered mills to choose from, making this a versatile option in the world of compacts.

After seeing the spy shots, we really didn’t expect the C3 to change all that much but, upon first glance, the three-year wait from the last facelift is well worth it. Furthermore, this thing actually comes with its own built-in dashcam, which is something that you don’t generally find in a new car – at least not that I can recall anyway. The most interesting thing about this debut is that it was just earlier this month that we caught the C3 testing under heavy camo, and we certainly didn’t expect to see the sheet pulled off the car so soon. With that said, let’s quit wasting time and take a good look at what Citroën is bringing to the table with the all-new C3.

Updated 06/29/2016: Citroën dropped the official details on the new C3.

Continue reading to learn more about the Citroën C3.

Exterior

The new C3 is what Citroën likes to call “distinctively offbeat,” and is highly customizable at the time of purchase. To start off, you can select between nine different primary body colors that include, Polar White, Perla Nera Black, Shark Grey, Arctic Steel, Ruby Red, Almond Green, Cobalt Blue, Power Orange, and Soft Sand. On top of that, there are three different colors to pick from for the roof – Opal White, Onyx Black, and Sport Red – leading to 36 possible exterior color combinations.

Up front, we notice some pretty big changes. To start off, the whole front fascia has been redesigned. The single hexagonal grille is now a thing of the past as the C3 steps up to a more modern look with a real radiator grille and air dam positioned below it, both of which are backed by an oval mesh of sorts. The fog lamps have been dropped to a lower position on the fascia and are now recessed quite heavily into the lower fascia with roof-colored inserts surrounding them. Citroën also switched up the headlight game to give the front end a completely new look. Instead of those large, single headlight units, smaller, oval units are now recessed into the front fascia. Above them in the space between the hood and fascia, you’ll find a set of LED running lights. The hood itself is now elevated a little more than before and now runs all the way to the top chrome strip between the running lights.

Moving over to the sides, the cladding from the lower fascia follows the lower body over the front wheel arch, along the side skirt, and over the rear wheel arch where it wraps around the lower rear fascia. For the 2017 model year, the C3 now gets Airbump panels on the lower doors like the C3 Cactus. The side view mirrors are now positioned closer to the waistline. Shorter and wider, the mirrors get roof-matching caps that really add a bit of accenting beauty to the overall exterior appearance.

Around back there is plenty of more change to talk about. First off, that cladding comes off of the rear wheel arch and gets significantly taller as it wraps around the bottom of the rear fascia. The taillights have been completely redesigned, now in an oval shape with reverse lights integrated into the bottom of the lens. The small overhang on the hatch is painted in the same color as the roof and sports a high-mount brake light in the middle. All told, the new C3 is most certainly fresh and, as far as the exterior is concerned, is the best model evolution I’ve seen in quite some time.

Interior

The inside of the new C3 represents another huge departure from the outgoing model. To start off, there are four different interior designs to pick from. Standard Ambience is neutral and uncluttered, featuring yellow over-stitched upholstery. Metropolitan Grey Ambience brings soft colors and textiles on the dash and seat upholstery. Urban Red Ambience adds a red dashboard surround and red stitching to go with an interior combination of dark and bright colors. Finally, there is Hype Colorado Ambience that features soft materials, special color-contrasting upholstery, and a two-tone leather steering wheel.

Citroën says the C3’s interior is “a spacious interior designed as a living area,” which pretty much translates to a more open cabin with less clutter. The dashboard, for instance, runs the entire width of the interior. The design of the interior trim and chrome-finished vents also add to this feeling of width. As far as customization goes, some elements of the interior can be painted, or wrapped with textile or TEP lining. The finish is always designed to match the color of the upholstery perfectly. Something else Citroën did to enhance the wide feel is to add wider seats that give you the feeling of more space and freedom within the cabin.

As an improvement over the outgoing model, the new C3 now features an extra two centimeters of shoulder room, and the front seats are positioned to provide the best forward visibility possible. Storage is also a key factor here, with a central cubby in the front, large storage bins in the front doors, and what Citroën claims to be the largest glove box in the segment. Furthermore, there is 300 liters or 10.59 cubic-feet of storage space in the boot.

Technology

The C3 now comes with a seven-inch touchscreen display that acts as a command center for the entire vehicle, with access to all of the car's main functions. This setup further enhances the “uncluttered” feel by removing the need for a large number of buttons or switches on the dash and center console. This system includes connectivity via Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Mirror Link, and features live maps and traffic from TomTom.

Furthermore, the car has a keyless entry and keyless start system, which means you can enter the vehicle and start it without even removing the key fob from your pocket. This isn’t the highlight of new technology, though. There is also a reversing camera, with parking aids, and hill start assist to help prevent rearward rolling on hills.

Making its debut in the new C3 is the ConnectedCAM Citroen. The ConnectedCam is basically a built in dash cam that is located right behind the rearview mirror. It doesn’t function quite the same as aftermarket dash cam units, but it does have the same view as the driver. The driver can snap pictures at will and upload them instantly to social media and, by pressing a holding a button, the driver can record up to 20 seconds of video that can be shared at a later time after the car is stationary. Furthermore, in the event of a collision, the camera will automatically switch on and will hold up to 1.5 minutes of video (30 seconds before the collision and 60 seconds after.) The camera itself is full HD, has two megapixels of resolution, a wide 120-degree angle lens, GPS, and 16 gigs of built-in memory. As such, the GPS system in the camera can be used to help owners locate their vehicle in a jam.

Drivetrain

In the drivetrain and chassis department, Citroën started out by adding an advanced suspension system to the new C3. Citroën didn’t go into major details, but it appears to use pseudo MacPherson suspension with deformable struts – a system that easily filters out bumps and vibrations from the road. Under the hood, you’ll find one of three gasoline engines or one of two diesel mills. On the gasoline front, there is a PureTech 68, 82, and 110, which deliver 67, 80, and 108 horsepower, respectively. On the diesel front, there is the option for the BlueHDi 75 or Blue HDi 100 that deliver 73 ponies and 98 ponies, respectively.

All five engines come standard with stop & start technology, which means the engine shuts itself off when you come to a stop at a street light or stop sign and will automatically restart when you apply the throttle for takeoff. This system might not amount to much in fuel savings for some, but if you spend a lot of time in stop and go traffic, you’ll certainly notice the difference. In addition to this, the new C3 can also be equipped with Citroën's EAT6 fully automatic transmission as opposed to being stuck with a manual transmission.

Citroën didn’t elaborate on any performance specs, but with maximum horsepower sitting at 108 from the PureTech 110, I wouldn’t expect this thing to outrun much more than a Prius. Then again, you’re not buying the C3 to go fast, are you?

Safety

As far as safety goes, the C3 comes with features like Lane Departure Warning, Blind-spot monitoring, and driver attention alert that alerts the driver to take a break after two hours of driving at 45 mph or higher. Furthermore, the C3 comes equipped with Citroën Connect Box with SOS and Assistance Pack, which is basically a black box and Citroëns form of OnStar. In the event of an accident, a short message is sent to a processing service. That service receives the vehicle's identification, driver’s phone number, and geographical location. There are three different service levels available. The Monitoring Pack is free and includes a virtual service log and eco driving advice. The Mapping pack provides geolocation for the vehicle, and the Tracking pack maximizes the chance of finding the vehicle if it has been stolen.

Pricing

Pricing for the new C3 is not year available. In the U.K., the outgoing model sells for between £10,550 ($15,353) for the entry-level model and £16,535 ($24,062) including V.A.T. With that said, I wouldn’t expect too much of a price increase if Citroën wants to stay competitive. Pricing may start out as high as £11,000 after V.A.T., but I wouldn’t expect it to even go that high.

Competition

Ford Fiesta

By the time the new C3 hit showrooms, Ford’s new Fiesta should have already been in the mix for a short period of time. For the 2017 model year, we expect the new model to be a bit larger than before, and should feature a sportier exterior with a more comfortable and upscale interior. Engine output from the current Fiesta ranges from 123 horsepower from a 1.0-liter EcoBoost unit to 197 horsepower from a 1.6-liter, turbocharged, four-banger. We expect the next-gen model to come complete with a new range of engines that offer a little more power and better fuel economy. As of the time of this writing, the current model sells for anywhere between $14,090 and $20,970 with the next-gen likely to command upward of $2,000 more across the entire range.

Read our full review on the upcoming Ford Fiesta here.

Volkswagen Polo

The Polo is one of the smallest models offered by Volkswagen, and it is a direct competitor to the Citroën C3. It was refreshed for the 2015 model year, and will likely carry on until at least 2018 before it sees another makeover. The standard Polo models are available with a range of 1.0-liter engines that deliver between 60 and 94 horsepower and 95 to 160 pound-feet of torque, which is more than enough to keep the Polo competitive with the C3. There is also the Polo Blue GT that delivers 147 horsepower from its 1.4-liter TSI diesel and a Polo GTI that delivers 190 horsepower. As of the time of this writing, the Volkswagen Polo is priced anywhere between £11,525 for the entry-level model and £21,000 for the range-topping Polo GTI. At current exchange rates, that is a range of $16,771 to $30,560.

Read our full review on the Volkswagen Polo here.

Conclusion

I must say I’m a little shocked to see that Citroën has pulled the sheet of the new C3 so quickly. Sure, models like the Ford Fiesta are ready for their next-gen changeover, but just earlier this month we weren’t sure if we would see the new C3 in time for the Paris Auto Show. But, here it is in all its glory. On that note, I also want to tip my hat to the guys that camouflaged that last test mule we saw – I never thought the C3 would look like it does based on those spy shots. With that said, I think Citroën went above and beyond, and the C3 will certainly remain fresh for at least a few years to come. Well done, Citroën. In a world where generational evolutions have become nothing more than a lazy joke from most manufacturers, you’ve brought something fresh to the mix. Walk with your head held high; the new C3 is just what your lineup needed.