Citroen C3 Aircross inches closer to launch; testing continues

The Citroen C3 Aircross made its global debut in April 2023 and it will launch in India in the coming months. The SUV has now been spotted testing undisguised on Indian roads and this gives us an idea of its road presence.

1. C3 Aircross to get multiple variants
2. Lower variants could miss out on some features
3. 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine standard across the line-up

Citroen C3 Aircross: what the spy shots reveal

While most new spy shots show the car completely undisguised, a few images have emerged showing the car in heavy camouflage. Both vehicles could either be entry-level or mid-spec trims as both were seen shod with plastic wheel covers. Other hints pointing that these SUVs were not the top-spec trim were the omission of a rear wiper and washer, rear defogger, blacked-out door trims and the use of different roof rails. While these are still test mules, we expect that the Citroen C3 Aircross to get a competitive features list in all variants when it goes on sale.

Citroen C3 Aircross platform

The upcoming C3 Aircross is Citroen’s fourth model in India following the C5 Aircross, and the C3 and eC3 hatchbacks. It is based on the brand’s CMP platform and while it shares a majority of its design with the C3 hatchback, it is significantly larger in all dimensions as it measures 4.3 metres in length.

Citroen C3 Aircross exterior styling

The C3 Aircross looks unmistakably Citroen as it gets the brand’s design language and borrows many styling cues from the C3 hatchback. As with other Citroen models, the brand’s chevron logo has been incorporated into the grille, which, in itself, has a two-layer design packed with chrome and piano black inserts. While the fascia of the C3 Aircross and C3 hatchback is similar, with nearly identical headlamp designs, the Aircross gets a different bumper and has a thick bar that houses the number plate.

Over to the sides, the C3 Aircross gets dual, four-spoke alloy wheels in the top-spec trim and the midsize SUV has a wheelbase of 2,671mm, 61mm longer than the Hyundai Creta. The C3 Aircross also has a ground clearance of 200mm, which is 20mm higher than the C3 hatchback. At the rear, the C3 Aircross gets a large tailgate with tall bumpers and squarish tail-lamps that look similar to the C3 hatchback, but larger. They are also connected by a piano black trim that also has an indentation for the Citroen logo.

Citroen C3 Aircross interior and features

Unlike the rest of its competition, the C3 Aircross gets two seating configurations. Citroen will offer a 5-seat layout as standard, and a three-row layout with 5+2 seating configurations as an option. Citroen claims the 5-seat version will have a boot space of 444 litres, while the 7-seat version will have a boot space of 511 litres with the third row folded flat.

The rest of the interior is largely unchanged from the C3 hatchback, but it does get new interior colours and textures to differentiate it from the hatchback. What remains unchanged is the 10-inch touchscreen for the infotainment system.

Citroen has added electric adjustment for the wing mirrors and an improved version of the digital instrument cluster. The 7-seat version gets roof-mounted AC vents, but the 5-seat version doesn’t get AC vents for the second row. However, the C3 Aircross lacks automatic climate control, wireless charging, ventilated seats and a sunroof. 

Citroen C3 Aircross powertrain

Under the hood, the C3 Aircross gets a sole 110hp, 190Nm 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine, which is the same engine that does duty in the C3 hatchback. Initially, the C3 Aircross will only come with the six-speed manual gearbox and an automatic gearbox is also on the cards. The C3 Aircross is also expected to get an all-electric powertrain at a later stage, like the C3 hatchback.

Citroen C3 rivals, price and launch timeline

When the C3 Aircross launches later this year, it will enter the cut-throat midsize SUV segment and rival the likes of the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryrder, Skoda Kushaq, Volkswagen Taigun and the upcoming Honda Elevate. Expect the C3 Aircross to be priced between Rs 9 lakh-13 lakh (ex-showroom).