The Citroen C3 Aircross goes up against the Hyundai Creta and the Kia Selto in the highly competitive midsize SUV market. While it has good basic features, a good price, and smart packaging, we thought it lacked features and engine choices, especially an important automatic choice. The new Citroen C3 Aircross automatic is now out. Here’s what it’s like to drive.
Engine and gearbox for a Citroen C3 Aircross automatic
The car’s gearbox is a 6-speed torque converter unit from the Japanese company Aisin. Skoda, Volkswagen, MG, and Maruti are just a few of the companies that buy this type of gearbox. The same 1.2-liter turbo-petrol engine is paired with the gearbox. Power stays the same at 110hp, but torque has gone up to 205Nm, which is 15Nm more than the MT. It feels like the engine is well-tuned and smooth, and it pulls straight to the redline. It has good mid-range power, too, but when you really rev it up, you can hear the thumps coming from inside the car, as with all three-pot motors.
The box doesn’t shift as quickly as a dual-clutch gearbox, but it makes up for it in ease. Part throttle responses are also very good, and the gearbox quickly responds when you press the throttle. Another nice thing about it is that it responds right away. When you’re on the highway, though, and you want to pass quickly, putting your foot down is met with a moment of hesitation before it finally goes forward.
You can also change gears by hand on the C3 Aircross AT, but instead of paddleshifters on the steering wheel, there is a tiptronic function on the gear lever. The manual shifter works well and helps you keep the engine in the middle of its power range when you need to. Stay tuned for when we test the C3 Aircross auto to see how well it runs and how much gas it uses. In the end, though, the automatic is not only easier to drive than the manual, it also feels more at home in the city because the changes are so smooth.
Citroen C3 Aircross automatic: how it handles, rides, and steers
It also helps in the city that it can be driven. It’s nice and light, and it’s easy to spin in traffic. But as you speed up, it gets heavier and gives you the comfort and feedback you need.
Another great thing about the C3 Aircross is how well it rides and handles. In fact, it’s one of the best SUVs in its class. This SUV handles rough edges, potholes, and ruts very well at low speeds, which is amazing. Some people find the C3 Aircross very nice to ride in because of its soft edges. However, when going fast, the back of the car does tend to bob up and down a bit. The C3 Aircross is also stable in a straight line, and while it rolls a little, it turns with confidence.
The outside, inside, and features of the Citroen C3 Aircross automatic
The C3 Aircross still has other good points. It is still a nice-looking SUV that is well-balanced and has a French style inside and out. Outside, the wheels and light arrangements that look good, and the dashboard panel that looks cool, do help the cause.
But it’s still not good enough when it comes to tools. It does have a 10.2-inch touchscreen with wireless smartphone integration and a digital instrument cluster, but it doesn’t have a sunroof, ventilated seats, auto climate control, or many other features that are pretty standard in this market.
There are comfortable seats all around in the Citroen, and it’s easy to get into the best position to drive. The second row has plenty of room for people who are six feet tall, and the seat even tilts back. The alternative third row, on the other hand, is very small and should only be used for kids or short drives for adults. The third row seats are one of a kind because they can be taken out completely to make 511 litres of space for bags or used as picnic chairs instead. What you won’t like about this SUV is how cheaply it was made. Some of the most noticeable examples are the door handles, the simple key, the lack of individual window settings for the back seats, and the big AC knobs. The automatic gearbox does, however, add remote engine start and air conditioning preconditioning features.
Price and review of the Citroen C3 Aircross automatic
Like its competitors, the C3 Aircross lacks some features and that “wow” factor. However, it has always been a good SUV, and the automatic makes that even better.Prices range from Rs 12.85 lakh to Rs 13.85 lakh (ex-showroom), which is less than the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, MG Astor, Maruti Grand Vitara, and other competitors’ base AT models.
However, it won’t be on the shopping list of people who want a fully loaded SUV. However, its comfortable ride and smooth engine make it a good choice for people who just want an SUV that does the basics. It also has a third row of seats that no other car has.
