Citroen cars in India (5)

Autocar India

•1h

We have not heard of any confirmed facelift for the Citroen Aircross X in June, so that seems unlikely for now. Based on your needs, the Citroen Aircross X 1.2 turbo automatic would suit you better than the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder for long highway trips.The Citroen Aircross offers a noticeably more comfortable back seat. It’s wide, has good thigh support, and the backrest angle is spot-on for long journeys. Ride quality is supple even on uneven surfaces, and the car stays planted at highway speeds, so rear passengers don’t get tossed around. The 1.2‑litre turbo engine has enough punch for easy overtakes, and the automatic gearbox shifts smoothly. As a five-seater, the boot is also generous, which makes it ideal for road trips.The only real drawback is Citroen’s inconsistent sales and service network. Before buying, gauge how proactive your local dealer is. If they’re indifferent during the sales process, expect even less enthusiasm during service visits. If that’s the case, it’s best to walk away.Opt for the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder only if you prioritise Toyota’s bulletproof reliability and after-sales support. But for your stated priorities, which are highway comfort and rear-seat space, the Citroen Aircross remains the more enjoyable and relaxed choice.

Citroen Aircross

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Autocar India

•20h

You can opt for Kia Carens Clavis in your Rs 15-18 lakh budget; it gives you the most space and the most upmarket feel for the money. You already have a Volkswagen Taigun, which is a great driver’s car, but the Clavis will feel far roomier the moment you get in. The second row has lots of knee room, the third row is usable for adults on short trips, and with the last row folded, the boot is huge for airport runs or a long holiday. Plus, Kia’s service reach in most cities is strong, so upkeep is simple.One thing to be aware of: it won’t feel as lively to drive as your Taigun, and the steering feels lighter, so cornering won’t be as engaging. Moreover, within your budget, you'll get the mid-range HTK+ variant, which, though it has more than just the basics, doesn't offer the full suite of features you get higher up the range. Much better value for money is the Citroen Aircross, which comes in a 7-seat variant with a flexible third row of seats that can be removed when you don't need it. It has a supremely comfortable ride, and for under Rs 17 lakh, you will get the top-spec X Max 7-seat automatic variant. Just bear in mind, Citroen's service network isn't as wide as Kia's, so make sure there's an outlet near you.

Kia Carens Clavis

Citroen Aircross

Autocar India

•2w

There is a wide range of sub-4m cars available in your budget. We've listed the best city cars for each body style:1) Hatchbacks: Maruti Suzuki Baleno and Toyota Glanza 2) Compact sedans: Maruti Suzuki Dzire3) Crossover/compact SUV: Maruti Suzuki Fronx, Citroen C3

Maruti Suzuki Baleno

Maruti Suzuki Dzire

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

Toyota Glanza

Citroen C3

Autocar India

•3w

For your usage of mainly city driving (30km daily) with occasional highway trips and a family of four, we would suggest going for the Skoda Kylaq.The Kylaq offers a comfortable ride, a spacious cabin for four adults, and the torque converter automatic is smooth, which makes it very easy to drive in city traffic. It is also compact enough, so parking and manoeuvring in tight spaces won’t be an issue. On highways, too, it feels stable and enjoyable to drive.The Kia Sonet and Hyundai Venue are good options for the city as well, but both use a DCT automatic, which is not as smooth at low speeds as a torque converter, especially in stop-and-go traffic.The Citroen Basalt is actually great value for money and offers excellent cabin space, making it very comfortable for a family. However, it is a larger car, so it won’t be as easy to park and manoeuvre in the city. If you prioritise space and comfort over ease of driving, it is definitely worth considering.The Maruti Suzuki Jimny is not suitable for your needs. It is primarily an off-roader, has heavier steering, and is not as easy to drive in the city. The ride is also bouncy, and overall, practicality is limited for family use.

Skoda Kylaq

Kia Sonet

Hyundai Venue

Citroen Basalt

Maruti Suzuki Jimny

Autocar India

•3w

There's actually quite a variety of automatic hatchbacks within your budget. The Maruti Suzuki Baleno and its twin, the Toyota Glanza, are well-rounded products. Good ride comfort and excellent fuel economy are highlights, and the AMT gearbox is good enough for average driving. However, gearshifts aren't the smoothest, and you'll feel this over a quick overtaking manoeuvre. If you are open to the Citroen brand, the C3 is a great option. Its 1.2-litre engine and torque converter auto gearbox combo is excellent, and ride comfort is also very good.You could also look at the Tata Altroz DCA in Creative S trim. The dual-clutch auto gearbox is very smooth and well-suited to city use. There's also a toughness to the package that gives great confidence at highway speeds.We are also fans of the smooth and polished Hyundai i20 CVT, but the Sportz(O) that fits your budget isn't an ideal choice as it misses out on the safety of a rear wiper. Finally, if you have the option to install an EV charger at home or office, the Tata Tiago EV is also an option to consider. Being all-electric, it's super smooth and very refined. However, it works best as a city car.

Maruti Suzuki Baleno

Toyota Glanza

Citroen C3

Tata Altroz

Hyundai i20

Tata Tiago EV

Autocar India

•5w

A robust suspension and punchy power are elements we'd recommend you give weightage to. Our shortlist of models suited to your needs includes the following:1) Skoda Kylaq: Tough build, punchy engine, fun handling. Rear seat space isn’t ideal for three passengers.2) Mahindra XUV 3XO: Tough build, suspension comfort, strong engines, roomy interior. Boot isn't the largest.3) Tata Punch Turbo: Small dimensions make it suited to hills, and ample power from the turbo engine. Smallest for rear seat passengers4) Citroen C3 Turbo: Great engine, good ride comfort. Feels a bit basic, dealer network isn't the largest.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Skoda Kylaq

Tata Punch

Citroen C3

Autocar India

•5w

There are a couple of options that you can consider. We've listed the highlights for each.1) Skoda Kylaq: Punchy engine, fun handling. Rear seat space is tight, though2) Mahindra XUV 3XO petrol: Strong engine, good ride comfort. Boot space is limited3) Maruti Suzuki Fronx Turbo/ Toyota Taisor Turbo: Strong engine. Reliability and hassle-free ownership experience 4) Citroen C3: Strong engine. Feels a bit basic, and the service network isn't very large.

Skoda Kylaq

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor

Citroen C3

Autocar India

•5w

Do note that you will only get the base models of most of these SUVs in your budget of Rs 15 lakh (the two Mahindra cars are entirely out of your budget), so be prepared to increase your budget if you want more features or a more powerful engine. That being said, among your chosen options, the Tata Sierra is the most spacious and comfortable, and best suited for tall passengers, so that should be your choice from the five-seaters.If you want a seven-seater, the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga is the best value-for-money option you could pick, and it meets all your requirements, including the budget. However, another car worth considering is the Citroen Aircross X, which comes in both 5- and 7-seat options, and is priced really well. It's spacious, comfortable and gets a punchy engine with a smooth 6-speed automatic gearbox.

Maruti Suzuki Ertiga

Tata Sierra

Citroen Aircross

Autocar India

•5w

If you are looking for something with similar performance to the Citroen Basalt/Aircross, you should consider the Volkswagen Taigun or the Skoda Kushaq with the 1.0 TSI and torque converter automatic. The facelifted Kushaq now gets an 8-speed automatic replacing the old 6-speed unit, and the Taigun will get the same when it is facelifted later this year.The 1.0 TSI makes a healthy 115hp and 178Nm, which delivers better performance than the naturally aspirated engine in the Elevate and is on par with the Basalt. The 6-speed torque converter automatic was also smooth-shifting and very convenient to use, and we expect the 8-speed to be more of the same. With 80 percent of your driving in heavy Bengaluru traffic, this transmission will be a boon.Prices for the facelifted Kushaq will be announced later this month, and we expect our first drive reviews to drop around the same time. Before you decide, take a test drive, of course.

Citroen Basalt

Citroen Aircross

Volkswagen Taigun

Autocar India

•5w

As a first-time buyer, it’s good that you’re looking at both sides carefully.The Citroen C3 is a solid and very likeable car. Its biggest strength is ride comfort, it handles bad roads better than most cars in this segment and feels mature for its size. The 1.2-litre turbo petrol, in particular, is a gem. It’s strong, smooth and easily one of the nicest small-capacity turbo-petrol engines around today. If you enjoy driving and want something that feels a bit different from the usual crowd, the C3 stands out. For your daily run of under 50km and occasional long drives, it will be perfectly comfortable. Mileage is reasonable, especially with the naturally aspirated engine, though the turbo will be slightly lower.The Nissan Magnite has other strengths. It has better road presence with its SUV styling, a more practical cabin, a bigger boot and a feature list that feels more complete. Nissan, as a brand, has built a reputation for reliability, and its dealership and service network is currently more established than Citroen’s in most cities. That adds peace of mind, especially for a first-time buyer.So if you like to drive and value comfort and engine performance, the C3 is the more enjoyable car. But if you want a safer, more practical and lower-risk ownership experience, the Magnite is the wiser choice.

Citroen C3

Nissan Magnite