Citroen’s big-ticket C3 Aircross made its debut last year, but sadly, it has done little to trouble its midsize SUV rivals. The sales figures have been hovering around 250 to 340 units till December 2023, but after the launch of its automatic version in January 2024, the numbers have nosedived further, as last month it only managed 127 units. Even though it is one of the most affordable SUVs in its segment, there are still no takers.
Hopefully, it will be able to build some momentum. We are going to take a look at the C3 Aircross automatic and explain its pros and cons. In terms of design, this trim remains identical to the C3 Aircross manual. Therefore, we will straight away do a deep dive into the transmission and the driving experience.
Citroen C3 Aircross automatic review: Hands-free option
The C3 Aircross raised a lot of eyebrows when Citroen launched the SUV as there was no automatic option, which is a bit of a sacrilege in this segment. Credit goes to the French car manufacturer for taking out the automatic trim within five months. The SUV continues to be powered by the 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine with the same 109 bhp output but an additional 15 Nm of torque, which adds up to 205 Nm. The company claims a fuel economy of 17.6 kmpl. The new 6-speed automatic torque converter is made by Aisin, which also supplies Maruti Suzuki, Skoda, Volkswagen, and MG Motor.
Now that we are done with the stats, let’s fire up the engine and find out its driving dynamics. Step on the accelerator, and the engine and transmission work smoothly in tandem as the C3 Aircross picks up pace in a linear manner. At low speed and with a light-footed approach, it offers enough poke to commute in a relaxed fashion. The turbo also kicks in early, camouflaging the lag that most engines suffer from. The torque converter’s nature is to upshift quickly to ensure it isn’t thirsty for gasoline and hamper its fuel economy. This doesn’t mar the driving experience in the city, but the transmission takes a second or two to downshift. The SUV does come with paddle shifters to make the driving experience more involving.
Watch Citroen C3 Aircross Automatic Review video
With a meaty mid-level powerband, the C3 Aircross is happy on the highway and goes past the three-figure mark without needing to work up a sweat. One has to keep in mind that it is a three-cylinder powertrain. Hence, the engine gets noisy when it hits the high notes, but it is quite understandable. The cabin, though, remains quiet.
Citroen C3 Aircross automatic review: Ride and Handling
The C3 Aircross remains rocksteady as it sails over broken roads and soaks up potholes. The passengers enjoy a pampered, cushioned ride as the soft suspension set up carpets almost anything that’s thrown at it.
The midsize SUV is as stable as Noah’s Ark at high speeds, especially on straight roads. It also remains predictable and sticks to the lines while negotiating sharp turns. Even though the C3 Aircross’ body roll can be felt, the chassis ensures balance, which offers a lot of confidence behind the wheel.
Citroen C3 Aircross automatic review: Price
The C3 Aircross automatic is available as a five-seater or 5+2 and comes in Plus and Max variants. It is priced from Rs 12.85 lakh to Rs 14.27 lakh, ex-showroom. Citroen has managed to aggressively price the SUV, but it misses out on a number of features like automatic climate control, front ventilated seats, a sunroof, star-stop ignition, a key fob, and the ADAS suite. We don’t want to sound all doom and gloom, as the C3 Aircross has a lot going for it, like a fairly refined engine, a spacious cabin, comfortable ride quality, even a three-thirds-row, and is the most affordable midsize automatic SUV.