Citroen C3 Aircross

• The engine is 1.2 litres with a turbo and 3 cylinders. It makes 110 hp at 5,500 rpm. Torque is 205 Nm at 1,500 rpm. The gearbox is a 6-speed automatic. Shifts feel smooth most of the time. Power is enough for daily driving in cities. You won't feel slow in normal traffic.
• The turbo helps with city traffic and highways. Torque comes early at 1,500 rpm. This feature helps when you stop and go a lot in traffic. When the lights turn green, the car moves well.
• Front-wheel drive with good suspension gives comfortable rides. Citroën focuses on comfort, not sporty handling. This means bumps feel softer.
• The wheelbase keeps you stable on highways. No wobbling at speed. Ground clearance handles speed breakers fine. This matters on Saudi roads, where speed breakers are common.
• The fuel tank holds 45 litres. Good for a week of driving around the city. The turbo engine doesn't cost much to run. You save money compared to bigger engines.

Some limitations:

• The 3-cylinder engine isn't as smooth as 4-cylinder engines. You hear engine noise when you speed up. Some people notice the vibration.
• The 6-speed automatic is okay but not as smooth as newer gearboxes. Performance is average, not exciting. Don't expect fast acceleration.

• On highways, the suspension gives great comfort. Citroën says it's unrivalled. The special seats add more comfort on long trips. The ride feels steady for families.
• The 6-speed automatic shifts okay when driving normally. Smooth shifts matter more than sporty shifts.
• In cities, the small size helps. Parking is easy. Navigation through streets is simple. You sit high up like in an SUV. You see better. Electric power steering makes turning easy.
• The back seats slide to change space and give more legroom or more boot space. You choose what you need.

Things to Watch Out For:

• Comfort comes first, not sharp handling. The car leans in corners. This is normal for comfort-focused cars.
• The 3-cylinder engine vibrates and makes noise when you push strongly. Four-cylinder engines are quieter.
• The 6-speed automatic feels old compared to new gearboxes, and the shifts aren't very fast.
• The small size means less legroom in the back when seats are forward. Boot space is good, but some competitors have more.

• The seats have special 15mm-thick foam. They feel soft and look good. The foam is high-density, which means it lasts longer. Long drives feel comfortable. Your back doesn't hurt. You can pick Urban Blue or Metropolitan Grey colours inside. Both look modern.
• The steering wheel has controls for audio. It's covered in good material. The front has chrome strips that become wider. LED headlights look modern and bright at night.
• The screen is 9 inches, big enough to see clearly. It has Citroën Connect Nav for directions. Mirror Screen connects your phone wirelessly. No cables needed. Apple CarPlay works. Android Auto works too. Your apps show on the screen. Music, maps, everything is there.
• The head-up display shows information on the windscreen. Speed and navigation appear in front of you. You keep your eyes on the road. This makes driving safer.
• Climate control can be manual or automatic. The Shine model has automatic AC. The top model gets a panoramic sunroof. It makes the cabin feel open.
• Wireless charging means no cables for your phone. Just put it on the pad. USB ports are everywhere. Bluetooth connects easily. Hill Assist helps on slopes.
• Five people can sit inside. The back seats are smart and flexible. They split 2/3 and 1/3. Backrests fold down when you need space. Seats slide 150 mm forward and back. Need more legroom? Slide back. Need more boot space? Slide forward. The front passenger seat folds completely flat. You can load long items up to 2.4 meters. The boot space is 520 litres. This is big for a small SUV. More than many competitors.
• The outside is compact, but the inside feels roomy. Designed well for all passengers. You can customise the exterior with different rims. Make it your style. There are three interior colour choices, each with a distinct appearance and character.

The C3 Aircross gives French comfort at a good price. It handles Saudi weather well. Hot summers don't affect the quality.

• Front airbags and side curtain airbags protect you. The anti-lock braking system stops wheels from locking. Electronic Brakeforce Distribution helps braking, and Brake Assist gives extra help. Electronic Stability Program keeps you steady, and the traction control stops wheels from spinning.
• Hill Hold Assist stops you from rolling backward on slopes. Very useful in parking buildings. Central locking with keyless entry keeps the car secure.
• The head-up display keeps information where you can see it. You don't look down at the dashboard. Safer driving. Cruise control helps on highways.
• Tyre Pressure Monitoring tells you when your tires need air. Child safety locks protect kids. Rear seat belts for everyone. Crash sensors help in emergencies.
• The mirror dims automatically day or night on better models. Parking sensors on Feel and Shine models help you park.

What to watch out for:

• The C3 has not been tested by Euro NCAP so far, and so there are no crash test scores available. This might worry safety-focused buyers.
• Compared to most of its rivals, you won’t find modern safety features in this SUV. Examples of these features include adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and forward collision warning. Instead, what you get is just basic safety systems, not advanced ones.
• Citroën has only 3 dealers in 3 Saudi cities through Almajdouie Motors. Check if one is near you. In such a situation, you can generally expect parts to take longer than Japanese or Korean brands. The warranty is 3 years or 100,000 km; here too it lags against its rivals, as many offer five years.