The Citroen C3 Max: A comfortable drive with lots of room

The Citroen C3 is a popular city car suitable for young people and small families who are looking for an affordable and comfortable commuting car. The new C3 Max is a larger version of the conventional C3 that adopted the SUV style of other vehicles in its price range. It’s not just a comfortable car to drive, but it also has pretty good room for all passengers, including the rear seats.

The SUV style attracts people who want to enjoy the benefits of a vehicle with an ampler room and enjoy driving a vehicle with larger ground clearance than the typical compact car, all packaged within a reasonable price tag.

The new C3 is the fourth iteration of the small segment B vehicle and was released in 2023 as a refreshed version of a vehicle recognised by its excellent value for money. To attract a wider audience, the brand introduced several options to suit all budgets and preferences, from a popular choice for those seeking an affordable and practical car to some trim levels that are slightly above entry-level products.

Below we take a closer look at the Citroen C3 Max:

Exterior

From the outside, the vehicle looks dynamic yet robust, with distinctive touches that quickly help to identify it as a C3. The trim over the lower body panels reflects the brand's new language, making it clear that this is a completely new redesign. All trims feature roof rails, which help to finish the SUV look and are practical for carrying extra luggage. The front looks futuristic, with slim upper and lower LED daytime running lights (DRL).

Interior

The interior also follows the same design language as other models, with the absence of sophisticated, soft-touch materials and a predominance of hard plastics. However, it’s well-built, and everything fits in place without noticeable gaps. The instrument cluster and the dash look futuristic, with a digital instrument cluster.

Pricing and options

In South Africa, the new C3 is imported from India and is offered in two versions, a base model called “Feel”, and a top-tier trim called “Max”. Both versions share the same 3-cylinder 1.2-litre petrol engine with 61kW and 115 Nm of torque. Both models feature a 5-speed transmission with a combined fuel consumption of 5.6 l/100km.

The Feel comes with 15” steel rims with plastic caps, while the enhanced Max brings 15” alloys. Both models feature a SmartCar infotainment system with a 10” screen, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay.

Both versions are affordable, convenient, and incredibly well-equipped. The Feel version starts at R 236,900, and the Citroen C3 Max sells for R 249,000. (Prices correct at time of publication.)

All trims of the new C3 include a 2-year/30,000km service plan with a 5-year/100,000km warranty with 10,000 km service intervals.

Our verdict

There isn’t much difference between the Feel and the Max; they are incredibly well-equipped. If you are a fan of alloy wheels and would like to enjoy the benefits of the reverse camera, the fog lamps, and the enhanced look of the rear skid, the extra R18,000 is a fair price to pay, considering the cost of installing an aftermarket rearview camera, fog lights, and a set of four alloys (the tyres of both versions are the same). If you purchased the rear skid plate separately, you would end up paying more, so both versions are well-priced to suit everyone’s tastes.

Imagery sourced from www.citroen.co.za