Citroen's fourth generation C3 supermini looks at its strongest in this frugal Hybrid guise. Jonathan Crouch reports.

Background

Should you have decided upon a Citroen C3 supermini, you might find yourself undecided between the conventional petrol and full-EV versions. Well here's a suggestion; don't choose between them at all. Instead, you might be better served by variant we look at here, the C3 Hybrid. For customers convinced by the need for electrification but unconvinced by EVs, this model is potentially a great solution. It doesn't need plugging in and around town can drive for up to half the time without using its engine. Where's the catch? Let's take a closer look.

Driving Experience

The C3 Hybrid features a Hybrid 110 version of the electrified engine that these days seems to be fitted to almost everything the Stellantis Group makes. In case you're not familiar, we'll tell you that it's a 48V 1.2-litre petrol unit, essentially a mild hybrid but with full-Hybrid-like tech that allows it to run on battery power for up to half the time in urban travel. And use battery power for things like manoeuvring and reversing. The Hybrid system works via a 28bhp motor secreted in the e-DCS6 six-speed dual clutch auto transmission. During deceleration, the petrol engine stops and the e-motor acts as a generator to recharge the Hybrid system's 48V battery. The battery also stores the energy recuperated by the regenerative braking system. You won't much care about the 0-62mph time but for the record, it takes 9.8s (just under a second quicker than the Turbo 100 version) en route to the same modest maximum of 99mph. One of the things that used to mark the previous generation C3 out from its supermini contemporaries was its soft ride. That's carried forward here - and embellished with 'comfort suspension' that features the 'Advanced Comfort' hydraulic bump stops we've seen in slightly larger Citroen hatches. As with the old MK3 C3, don't expect too much in terms of driver involvement.

Design and Build

Those familiar with the C3 model line will immediately notice that this time round, curvy cuteness has been swapped for a boxier, crossover-inspired more mature vibe. Which may be what the market wants but potentially makes this model a much less distinctive and individual proposition. To try and preserve some of that, there are styling cues from the wacky Oli concept car, an unusual bluff nose section with the brand's latest badge and 'colour clip' inserts on either side of the car which allow owners to add swappable, colour-contrasting accents. This C3 is only 80mm longer and 6mm wider than the old MK3 model (which couldn't be had in Hybrid form), but sits 70mm taller. Inside, it's nothing like any Citroen interior you've ever seen before. There's no instrument binnacle for a start. Only what the brand calls a 'head-up display', which actually isn't that at all; instead, it's a narrow letterbox-like strip which houses a small selection of digital instruments, primarily speed and range. This works with the almost equally unusual oblong-shaped over-buttoned steering wheel. You get a central infotainment screen, a 10.25-inch monitor that at last Citroen has learned not to over-burden with climate controls, which are separated out lower down. Fabric inserts and novel detailing supply the required Gallic vibe, as do the squashy 'Advanced Comfort' seats. At the back, you shouldn't expect rear seat legroom to be any better than the previous generation model, but the boxy silhouette should mean improvements in headroom. This ought to benefit boot space too. Trunk capacity is rated at 310-litres, extendable to 1,188-litres with the rear bench folded.

Market and Model

Expect a starting price for this C3 Hybrid of just over £20,000 for the base 'Plus' version; there's a plusher 'Max' variant available for just under £22,000. The base price represents a premium of around £1,800 over the un-electrified Turbo 100 manual model; this Hybrid 110 is auto-only; like the all-electric e-C3 which, if you're interested, costs around £1,900 more than this petrol/electric contender. 'Plus' spec is probably all you need. It comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, rear parking assistance, air conditioning, roof rails and a two-tone roof, plus 'Advanced Comfort' seats and what Citroen calls a 'head-up display' which actually isn't but does bring data into your line of sight. You get a 10.25-inch central infotainment touchscreen with 'Apple CarPlay' and 'Android Auto' wireless smartphone-mirroring. Citroen also includes its Safety Pack, which includes Active Safety Brake autonomous braking, an Active Lane Departure Warning System, Speed limit recognition and driver attention alert. If you really want to stretch to the range-topping 'Max' model, you'll also get navigation, automatic air conditioning, LED rear lights, a heated steering wheel, a heated windscreen and a rear parking camera. Across the line-up, there are some trendy options and the main one you'll want to look at would be the swappable colour-contrasting accents you can add to the car via two 'colour clip' inserts. Six paint choices are available.

Cost of Ownership

This C3 Hybrid manages up to 56.5mpg on the combined cycle (not massively up on the 52mpg figure you'd potentially get from the un-electrified Turbo 100 manual version). Either way, you should get a reasonable range out of the 44-litre tank - way more of course than you'd manage between charges in an e-C3. The Hybrid's CO2 figure is 114g/km; compare against 128g/km for the Turbo 100 version. Benefit-in-Kind taxation is rated at 28%; compare against 31% for the Turbo 100 version - or 3% for the e-C3. This C3's Hybrid petrol engine has been optimised for efficiency and operates in the Miller combustion cycle. This thermodynamic cycle is enabled by the variable geometry turbocharger, which enhances performance at low rpm, and variable valve timing. A belt-driven starter combines with the e-motor to start the petrol engine from cold. The belt-starter also restarts the engine quickly and seamlessly while driving. All versions of this model will be covered by the brand's usual unremarkable three year/60,000 mile warranty.

Summary

If we were recommending a value supermini for a frugally-minded owner, this one would be close to the top of our list. We've liked the 1.2-litre Hybrid engine it uses when we've tried it in other Stellantis Group superminis - most notably the Vauxhall Corsa and the Peugeot 208 - but wished it could be more affordable. Well here it is. True, you might not like this C3's slightly quirky looks or its budget-minded interior, but if you can live with that, it's hard to think of a decently frugal and advanced supermini offering a better all-round value proposition than this. It's a kind of car Citroen should be making.