The value for money you get even with the basic version is phenomenal. Just got one for work and I am thoroughly impressed, which I did not expect at all at the start…
I did about 1500kms around France in one of these before COVID and I actually liked it, other than the gearbox. The auto gearbox was awful in town, it was very clunky and slow to respond. But I loved how the interior worked, I loved the tomtom navigation, I thought the steering and brakes were quite nice. Engine was indeed gravelly if you punched it but it had enough power that we didn't feel the need to wind it out in day-to-day driving. I wouldn't hesitate to recomend one, but only with a manual box.
For all the detractors of French cars and the Citroën C3 in particular, it should be noted that the third generation C3 has sold in excess of 1 million units since its introduction in late 2016. It is frequently in the top three best sellers in its segment in major markets such as France, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Portugal, Denmark, Slovakia, and Bulgaria. Since the introduction of the original C3 in 2002 over 4½ million have been sold. I'm not sure what Juliet was on about when she said there is nowhere to put your phone - right above and ahead of the gear-lever there is a cubby-hole that will comfortably accommodate just about any cell phone and the water bottle can surely go in the door pocket? Stop/Start won't be found on the Feel model with 5-speed manual transmission and while it is standard on the Shine, it takes just two jabs on the screen to deactivate it and as with nearly every car that features stop/start, it will always reset after switching off. It saves fuel - learn to live with it. Boot space is 300 litres vs 280 for the Polo 6, so not sure why Juliet thinks the boot is small. She also said nothing about the "Advanced Comfort" seats or the ride quality. Sure, it's not perfect - I, for one, don't like the fact that the back seats don't fold flat and have a significant step between the boot floor and the backrest when down. They got this right in the Citroën GSA and that was forty years ago. The air bumps on the doors are optional in Europe. 68% of buyers spec their cars with them. I think they make the car distinctive and I like them for their practicality. It is bizarre that while there are 97 customizable colour combination options in Europe by way of 7 body colours, 4 colour packs, 4 roof colours and 3 roof decors, they are ridiculously limited here. Whoever the idiot at Citroën SA was that decided on a one-colour only Onyx Black roof option (except Spring Blue that apparently gets a white roof) and a shiny black dash insert with the Techwood dash insert not even being an option, should be fired.
I'v got consumption about 5L/100Km mixed and 4,4 on road and plenty of room to put my phone, laptop and kid with a seat. My beverages fits too like a glove those holders and botles goes in door pockets. In my point we don't even talk a same car with review. But this is just my oppinnion after 6 months and 15.000km. And yes, i ditch a brand new vw for this cause i can choose what car i drive. So this review is just ....
I worked for PCSA for years, and had most of the range back then as lease cars, watching this video makes me think that a second-hand DS3 from 10 years ago is still a more premium buy than the new C3.
I actually quite like these for a B-segment sub-compact car. Given its market segment, you can't expect everything to be perfect. If I have one gripe, it would be that Citroën decided to bring in all the Shine models with a black roof, whereas in Europe you have a range of options when it comes to roof colours. I detest a black roof in a hot country like SA in the summer.
The review surprises me a bit. A lot of European journalists are really enthousiastic about the engine in combination with the automatic gearbox. They say it is a powerful and quiet engine. And the gearbox handles really well. And that is my experience too. Especially on B-roads and motorways it is a really comfortable car. The bootspace is not the largest, but still much larger than some of its rivals (Vauxhall Corsa, Hyundai I20). The bad cupholders and start-stop system is a well known nuisance indeed.
@CitroenSA we want our money back..car has been in workshop for over a year in total..Still under warranty. Lies...stories, no refund. R130 000 loss, excluding fuel loss due to company petrol registered to broken car in workshop...DO SOMETHING...LEGAL ACTION COMING.
French cars generally have a negative reputation and are known for falling apart... This is based on cars of old where they used noticeably cheaper plastics that would creak and rattle after just a few miles (comparable to mid 2000's GM models for example)... This isn't the case anymore though but the reputation still stands. Personally, I've had Ford, Vauxhall (Buick), Volvo, BMW, Mini, Honda, Mazda, VW, Mercedes, Renault and Peugeot. (I have zero brand loyalty) Some brands I've had multiple models ranging from different eras but reliability wise, BMW, VW and Mercedes were among the worst of them all because they're all about 'perceived' quality, not actual quality. The VW Golf started breaking down and having serious rattles and trim issues after 14,000 miles, while the most reliable car I've had was a Mk2 Ford Focus (EU Mk2 not US), and after 200,000 miles it was still going strong and completely rattle free with very little maintenance.
@@q3b26 Thank you for that bit of information! We cannot buy most European standard brands here in the USA. German brands are prestigious, but very prone to break down. Japanese brands have a good reputation, ok reputation Korean and American Brands for the most part. My best cars have been a Ford Mustang LX and my Jeep Wrangler. My siblings love their Hondas.
@@anderacpharmd The reputation of French cars is undeserved. I have owned Citroëns continuously since 1978 - three GSs, a DS23 Pallas and a CX 25 GTi Turbo 2. They have all been pretty reliable, all only needing what I would deem routine maintenance. Build quality has, for the most part, been fine. There have been no squeaks or rattles to speak of and the only inferior plastic parts that come to mind have been on the CX where the three spring-loaded lids in the centre of the dash have broken. Yes, I could fault them all, particularly when it came to ventilation and on the CX, air conditioner through-put, but given the era in which they were designed and built, they were not bad. The Peugeot 404 and 504 had a reputation of being particularly robust and I can only put any negativity about French cars down to the journalists who wrote about them. More recently, in South Africa, possibly a sparse dealership network and poor parts supply and back-up have tainted the various French brands, but that could easily be applied to rival manufacturers as well.
@@anderacpharmd They don't sel peugeot and citroen in usa cause they have to sell only one in family.- They will last for a lifetime. Zink coated frame won't rust and angines are fool proof. I had those more than 20 years and all good. More than 1.000.000km with french cars and happy. They are fun and comfortable.
@@CathodeRayNipplez It's an optical illusion. Most people want that cross-over/SUV look, so in that regard, Citroën achieved their goal. The ground clearance on the C3 is 162mm unladen compared to its rivals, the VW Polo at 165mm and the Ford Fiesta at 152mm. The overall height of the third generation C3 is actually lower by 40mm than the second generation. As to sitting a foot off the ground - no way - that would be 304.8mm.
Not at all. I suggest you go check out the car, test drive it. I promise you’ll be shocked at how amazing it is. Which is why this review is shocking for me
The value for money you get even with the basic version is phenomenal. Just got one for work and I am thoroughly impressed, which I did not expect at all at the start…
I did about 1500kms around France in one of these before COVID and I actually liked it, other than the gearbox. The auto gearbox was awful in town, it was very clunky and slow to respond. But I loved how the interior worked, I loved the tomtom navigation, I thought the steering and brakes were quite nice. Engine was indeed gravelly if you punched it but it had enough power that we didn't feel the need to wind it out in day-to-day driving. I wouldn't hesitate to recomend one, but only with a manual box.
I cant be happier that Citroen returned to SA. Now we just need DS. Great review!
Yes DS definitely!!! would love to upgrade my DS5
@@benoit6865 I couldn't agree more. Can you Imagine the DS9 Or DS7 on our roads. SA would be a better place. Lol.
For all the detractors of French cars and the Citroën C3 in particular, it should be noted that the third generation C3 has sold in excess of 1 million units since its introduction in late 2016. It is frequently in the top three best sellers in its segment in major markets such as France, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Portugal, Denmark, Slovakia, and Bulgaria. Since the introduction of the original C3 in 2002 over 4½ million have been sold. I'm not sure what Juliet was on about when she said there is nowhere to put your phone - right above and ahead of the gear-lever there is a cubby-hole that will comfortably accommodate just about any cell phone and the water bottle can surely go in the door pocket? Stop/Start won't be found on the Feel model with 5-speed manual transmission and while it is standard on the Shine, it takes just two jabs on the screen to deactivate it and as with nearly every car that features stop/start, it will always reset after switching off. It saves fuel - learn to live with it. Boot space is 300 litres vs 280 for the Polo 6, so not sure why Juliet thinks the boot is small. She also said nothing about the "Advanced Comfort" seats or the ride quality. Sure, it's not perfect - I, for one, don't like the fact that the back seats don't fold flat and have a significant step between the boot floor and the backrest when down. They got this right in the Citroën GSA and that was forty years ago. The air bumps on the doors are optional in Europe. 68% of buyers spec their cars with them. I think they make the car distinctive and I like them for their practicality. It is bizarre that while there are 97 customizable colour combination options in Europe by way of 7 body colours, 4 colour packs, 4 roof colours and 3 roof decors, they are ridiculously limited here. Whoever the idiot at Citroën SA was that decided on a one-colour only Onyx Black roof option (except Spring Blue that apparently gets a white roof) and a shiny black dash insert with the Techwood dash insert not even being an option, should be fired.
C 3 is coming to India in February next year am waiting for it..
I'v got consumption about 5L/100Km mixed and 4,4 on road and plenty of room to put my phone, laptop and kid with a seat.
My beverages fits too like a glove those holders and botles goes in door pockets.
In my point we don't even talk a same car with review.
But this is just my oppinnion after 6 months and 15.000km.
And yes, i ditch a brand new vw for this cause i can choose what car i drive.
So this review is just ....
… honest and great!
I test drove one today and fully agree with you. I also feel like this review is a bit biased
I worked for PCSA for years, and had most of the range back then as lease cars, watching this video makes me think that a second-hand DS3 from 10 years ago is still a more premium buy than the new C3.
In my humble opinion this is not a negative review, just an honest one.
I actually quite like these for a B-segment sub-compact car. Given its market segment, you can't expect everything to be perfect. If I have one gripe, it would be that Citroën decided to bring in all the Shine models with a black roof, whereas in Europe you have a range of options when it comes to roof colours. I detest a black roof in a hot country like SA in the summer.
Nice car, Miss Juliet.
The review surprises me a bit. A lot of European journalists are really enthousiastic about the engine in combination with the automatic gearbox. They say it is a powerful and quiet engine. And the gearbox handles really well. And that is my experience too. Especially on B-roads and motorways it is a really comfortable car. The bootspace is not the largest, but still much larger than some of its rivals (Vauxhall Corsa, Hyundai I20). The bad cupholders and start-stop system is a well known nuisance indeed.
Good morning Ms McGuire, it looks like you have set the automatic subtitles to Dutch. Nice review though.
SA was a Dutch colony. Maybe they still can read Dutch?
@@CathodeRayNipplez Oh I had no idea. But it's probably all gibberish anyway since the actual audio is English and it's being interpreted as Dutch.
@@CathodeRayNipplez Yes we probably still can read ye ole Dutch but I think it was a "blond" moment from Juliet🤣
Great review !! Well done !
I agree, not a fan at all, and these will never even make my "test drive"- list. Maybe if they half the price ?!
@CitroenSA
we want our money back..car has been in workshop for over a year in total..Still under warranty. Lies...stories, no refund. R130 000 loss, excluding fuel loss due to company petrol registered to broken car in workshop...DO SOMETHING...LEGAL ACTION COMING.
Well done good review as always
pretty harsh review
Your RUclips will explode if you add the car to your thumbnails. (Better thumbnails)
looks like you plucked a chicken in the boot.
As an American I have always wondered, what is the reputation of French cars?
French cars generally have a negative reputation and are known for falling apart... This is based on cars of old where they used noticeably cheaper plastics that would creak and rattle after just a few miles (comparable to mid 2000's GM models for example)...
This isn't the case anymore though but the reputation still stands.
Personally, I've had Ford, Vauxhall (Buick), Volvo, BMW, Mini, Honda, Mazda, VW, Mercedes, Renault and Peugeot. (I have zero brand loyalty)
Some brands I've had multiple models ranging from different eras but reliability wise, BMW, VW and Mercedes were among the worst of them all because they're all about 'perceived' quality, not actual quality. The VW Golf started breaking down and having serious rattles and trim issues after 14,000 miles, while the most reliable car I've had was a Mk2 Ford Focus (EU Mk2 not US), and after 200,000 miles it was still going strong and completely rattle free with very little maintenance.
@@q3b26 Thank you for that bit of information! We cannot buy most European standard brands here in the USA. German brands are prestigious, but very prone to break down. Japanese brands have a good reputation, ok reputation Korean and American Brands for the most part. My best cars have been a Ford Mustang LX and my Jeep Wrangler. My siblings love their Hondas.
@@anderacpharmd The reputation of French cars is undeserved. I have owned Citroëns continuously since 1978 - three GSs, a DS23 Pallas and a CX 25 GTi Turbo 2. They have all been pretty reliable, all only needing what I would deem routine maintenance. Build quality has, for the most part, been fine. There have been no squeaks or rattles to speak of and the only inferior plastic parts that come to mind have been on the CX where the three spring-loaded lids in the centre of the dash have broken. Yes, I could fault them all, particularly when it came to ventilation and on the CX, air conditioner through-put, but given the era in which they were designed and built, they were not bad. The Peugeot 404 and 504 had a reputation of being particularly robust and I can only put any negativity about French cars down to the journalists who wrote about them. More recently, in South Africa, possibly a sparse dealership network and poor parts supply and back-up have tainted the various French brands, but that could easily be applied to rival manufacturers as well.
@@anderacpharmd They don't sel peugeot and citroen in usa cause they have to sell only one in family.- They will last for a lifetime. Zink coated frame won't rust and angines are fool proof. I had those more than 20 years and all good. More than 1.000.000km with french cars and happy. They are fun and comfortable.
Why does she look like Charlize Theron 🤪
Why does it have a lift kit?
Your roads must be pretty crap.
No lift kit and the roads aren't that bad at all.
@@27degrees Then why does it sit a foot off the ground? What's the point of that?
@@CathodeRayNipplez It's an optical illusion. Most people want that cross-over/SUV look, so in that regard, Citroën achieved their goal. The ground clearance on the C3 is 162mm unladen compared to its rivals, the VW Polo at 165mm and the Ford Fiesta at 152mm. The overall height of the third generation C3 is actually lower by 40mm than the second generation. As to sitting a foot off the ground - no way - that would be 304.8mm.
krap
Or Peugeot.
I am put off as soon as I hear a French word.
They are wasting their time in this ZAR market
Not at all. I suggest you go check out the car, test drive it. I promise you’ll be shocked at how amazing it is. Which is why this review is shocking for me