One look at the current automotive landscape is all you need to see the incredible popularity of the crossover and SUV bodystyle. Not only is the high-riding, off-roader-esque style widespread in the U.S, but it’s gaining steam overseas as well. Taking advantage of the upwards trend is French automaker Citroen, which is reinvigorating its C3 nameplate with a new, next-gen crossover dubbed the C3 Aircross. Packing loads of customization options, a host of modern interior technology, and a wide selection of efficient gas and diesel powerplants, the C3 hopes to bring Citroen that sweet jacked-up hatchback success in a variety of markets across the world (minus the States, of course).

Framed as a “people-minded” crossover “inspired by customer expectations,” the new C3 Aircross follows in the footsteps of the Citroen C3 Aircross Concept revealed in April at the Shanghai Auto Show, while also drawing inspiration from the C-Aircross concept that dropped at the Geneva Motor Show. Now, following an official debut at the Paris Motor Show, we have a ton of info on the new production-ready Citroen C3 Aircross. Read on for all the details.

Continue reading to learn more about the Citroen C3 Aircross.

2018 Citroen C3 Aircross

Specifications

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• Model: 2018 Citroen C3 Aircross
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Pros

Cons

Exterior

One of the Citroen C3 Aircross’ biggest brags pertains to its huge variety of color customization options. Buyers get up to 90 exterior styling combinations for the paint and trim, with unique paint applications for the side-view mirrors, rear quarter lights, headlight surrounds, and wheel centers. Buyers can specify the color they want added to the roof bars, with up to four roof colors possible on two-tone models. Four individual color packs, including Orange, Grey, White, and Black, are on the table. There are also eight body colors on offer, including Natural White, Ink Black, Misty Grey, Cosmic Silver, Passion Red, Breathing Blue, Sable, and Spicy Orange. Four roof colors can be had to add some of that two-tone effect, including Ink Black, Natural White, and, depending on the market, either Spicy Orange or Sable. Finally, Citroen says customers can also tweak and fine-tune the color tones and hues as desired to get that perfect look.

In terms of shapes and lines, the C3 Aircross looks a lot like the concept that came before. It’s all rounded edges and big bulbous shapes, with a puffed-up outline that also recalls the hatchback C3 that the SUV is based on. However, one of the biggest standout differences is the lack of side protection along the lower door panels.

That said, the C3 Aircross still hopes to mimic that off-roader style so many other crossovers and SUVs are shooting for. Both the front and rear end get skid plates, or at least skid-plate like aesthetic treatments. In the corners are well-sized wheels fit under matte-black fender extenders, with plenty of space added between the top of the tire and the bottom of the wheel housing. The ride height and ground clearance are both jacked up as well, with an extra 20 mm (0.79 inches) of height compared to the New C3 hatchback.

All the traditional Citroen styling elements are there as well. The front end gets a two-tier light set-up, with the top using LED daytime running lights, connected in the middle by double chrome strips and Citroen’s chevron signature, just like the rest of the automaker’s lineup. Large front fog lamps stand out like dimples on the front fascia. In back are rounded, rectangular 3D taillights with Gloss Black inserts that wrap in from the rear quarter panel. Above the panel is a “Venetian blind” design for the rear quarter window, which are created from a polycarbonate material and layered film, which help to create that “Venetian blind” effect.

Wheel selection includes both 16-inch and 17-inch designs, with a diamond effect offered for the aluminum options. Finally, it should be mentioned that the C3 Aircross gets rather compact exterior dimensions, measuring in at 4.15 meters (163.4 inches) long, 1.76 meters (69.3 inches) wide, and 1.64 meters (64.6 inches) tall, wheelbase is 2.6 meters (102.4 inches).

Interior

Inside the cabin space, Citroen says the C3 Aircross utilizes a design that was inspired by furniture and fashion. We think it looks pretty good, with lots of solid forms, a solid layout, and nice details. Once again, Citroen is offering a ton of options for color customization and unique touches. For example, there are multiple texture options just for the dashboard.

The main crux of it comes down to the five individual interior design combos. Kicking these off is the standard spec, which throws in a textured grey dash and Mica Grey cloth seating upholstery, plus a white finish for the air vent surrounds. Then there’s the Metropolitan Grey design, which is intended to increase the feeling of interior space by uniting brighter colors and warm fabric colors on the dash, plus throwing in orange for the air vent surrounds. The Urban Red scheme is next, which uses darker colors with orange overstitching contrast on the seats, plus a Dark Grey Quartz color for the cloth upholstery and air vent surrounds and TEP applied to the dash. The Hype Mistral scheme incorporates black leather and cloth in a “dogtooth” pattern for the upholstery, plus TEP for the dash and satin chrome for the air vent surrounds. The final color scheme is called Hype Colorado, and utilizes soft-touch materials and Colorado-coloring for the upholstery on the half-leather seats, dash, and two-tone steering wheel.

Providing loads of natural ambient lighting is a panoramic glass sunroof on the roof, which includes stuff like a sunblind and LED light guide. The rear seats also incorporate their own blinds for the windows when the light is too intense.

Of course, no modern crossover would be complete without a large selection of technology at hand. To that end, the Citroen C3 Aircross gets 12 driver assist systems included, such as a color heads-up display and four connectivity features. Details like wireless charging for smartphones on the center console keep the premium feel, while safety is enhanced by features like an Active Safety Brake function, automatic high-beams for the headlights, speed limit sign recognition, Lane Departure warning, Blind Spot Monitoring, Driver Assistance Alert and Coffee Break Alert, and Park Assist. There’s also convenience features included, like a keyless entry and starter, and a Top Rear Vision reversing camera.

Helping you keep tabs on the various systems is a 7.0-inch touchscreen in the cabin, which also provides the inputs on systems like the air conditioning status, radio, phone, and navigation. Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and MirrorLink are thrown in for smartphone support, while Citroen Connect Nav is included, coming complete with 3D mapping and voice recognition, real-time traffic, weather info, point of interest search, and more.

Dimensionally speaking, Citroen claims the C3 Aircross as the “most spacious and modular SUV in the compact segment” thanks to an impressive ceiling height and lots of legroom. Per crossover tradition, passengers get to enjoy a raised seating position, with the sense of interior space enhanced by a horizontal design scheme.

Storage for cargo and other knick-knacks is ample, especially in the right configuration. For example, the rear bench slides in two independent pieces with a 60/40 split, while the passenger seat folds flat to expand load length to 2.4 meters (94.5 inches) total. Up to 520 liters (18.4 cubic feet) of cargo room is offered, which means the C3 Aircross offers the largest trunk space in its segment, according to Citroen, particularly useful considering the flat load floor with the rear bench down. A rear luggage shelf offers more storage capability in the vertical dimension (stores away when not needed).

Seating capacity is capped at five. Passengers will find lots of neat details throughout, such as a glove box that gets a lighting and cooling feature, plus enough space to store a 1.5-liter bottle if desired. Lots of other smaller storage bins are scattered around the cabin.

Drivetrain

Underneath the smoothed-out body panels, the Citroen C3 Aircross utilizes the same platform as the New C3, also known as the third-generation C3. The platform is dubbed PSA PF1, and it’s the same bones used by the Citroen C3 Picasso, Citroen DS3, Peugeot 208, and a variety of other French passenger cars.

Upping the C3 Aircross’ off-roader chops is a slew of features designed to make it grip in less-than-ideal conditions. These include “Grip Control,” which is essentially a form of traction control, and hill descent assist as well. Mounted to those 16-inch and 17-inch wheels is a mud and snow tire compound.

There’s also a modular drive system for adaptation to a variety of surfaces and road types. These include five drive modes, including Sand, All-Road, Snow, and ESP off mode, plus an automatic mode for the Grip Control feature. Still, even with tech like this, plus a higher stance and tough exterior components, the front-engine, FWD Citroen C3 Aircross probably isn’t the best option for any sort of serious off-roading beyond finding that trailhead on a well-maintained fire road.

In terms of motivation, the C3 Aircross is offered with a large selection of both gasoline and diesel powerplants, including a lineup of PureTech three-cylinders and a lineup of BlueHDi oil burners. The highest performance of them all can be had from the PureTech 130 and six-speed manual gearbox combo, but in terms of gas burners, there’s also the PureTech 110 and manual gearbox, and a EAT6 automatic transmission on the table. The entry level model is the PureTech 82 with a manual transmission. If you prefer a diesel, you can get one a manual six-speed gearbox and either a BlueHDi 120 engine or BlueHDi 100 engine.

All told, there are six drivetrains total, all of which are offered in European markets. There are also two “special” engines for other outside markets, including a PureTech 110 EAT6 gas option and HDi 90 diesel option.

Prices

The Citroen C3 Aircross will be available in Europe later this year, with international availability offered afterwards.

In terms of pricing, the new crossover will sell in the U.K. starting at 13,995 pounds and going as high as 19,720 for the range-topping model.

Competition

Nissan Juke

The Juke is a very popular crossover across multiple markets. First put into production in 2010, the Japanese compact is offered with either FWD or AWD and a large number of gasoline and diesel inline four-cylinder engines, plus a five-speed manual transmission, six-speed manual transmission, and CVT. If you’re looking for funky styling and lots of practicality, this might be the one for you.

Read more about the Nissan Juke.

Renault Captur

The Captur was released as recently as 2013 at the Geneva Motor Show, offering a French alternative to the subcompact crossover segment. Packed with five-door practicality, the engine lineup is limited to a 0.9-liter three-cylinder gas engine, 1.2-liter four-cylinder gas engine, and a 1.5-liter four-cylinder diesel, while the transmission options include a five-speed manual and a six-speed automatic. Efficiency is the name of the game here.

Find out more about the Renault Captur.

Conclusion

Some folks – scratch that, most folks – can’t ignore the appeal of the compact crossover. Mixing off-roader styling with tons of practicality and a somewhat frugal drivetrain makes for one very appealing package, fulfilling the needs of the vast majority of the motoring public.

However, that blanket approach can often leave folks feeling like they’re getting a cookie-cutter solution. Enter the Citroen C3 Aircross and its huge assortment of color customization options, a feature that will undoubtedly draw in those buyers looking for something a little different.

Will it have the chops to beat out offerings like the Juke or Captur? Only time will tell.

References

Read our full review on the 2017 Citroen C-Aircross Concept.

Read our full review on the Citroen Aircross Concept.

Read our full review on the 2017 Citroen C3.