Citroen C3 Aircross 2019 Long-term Test #2

NICE OF Citroen’s global boss Linda Jackson to drop into Australia and say G’day a little while ago.

Maybe the visit would have helped her understand why the C3 Citroen Aircross isn’t exactly ripping the sale charts apart here.

It’s too expensive and too weird to be anything but niche, something no doubt the historic French brand’s dealers reinforced on Jackson during her lightning trip down under.

A few weeks in the C3 Aircross and I can’t find any reason to argue with that point of view.

What self-respecting people-mover – be it branded as such, or cross-over or SUV – doesn’t have proper cupholders, seat-back pockets or adjustable rear air-con vents?

A fore-aft sliding rear bench seat would also make sense for such a small vehicle that’s supposed to be maximising interior space.

And when you fold that rear set there shouldn’t be a step in the cargo floor compromising your ability to slide stuff in. By the way, a large-frame mountain bike will fit, although the front wheel has to be removed first.

Moving on, the tiny 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine might have plenty of gruff ‘character’, but once you load the C3 up with people and stuff it’s going to make for leisurely progress.

The C3 Aircross isn’t fast – 0-100km/h in 10.6sec is the claim – and it isn’t quiet. But it’s the noticeable wind roar off the exterior mirrors rather than the engine that’s causing that issue.

At least the engine’s a nice match with the Aisin six-speed torque converter automatic and the 7.2L/100km rear world fuel consumption average is kind on the wallet.

Add all that up and this is a car for couples and singles rather than families.

It’s certainly for people who like to stand out from the crowd. The C3 Aircross is distinctive in its exterior style. The nose is busier than central station at rush hour and the high waist line makes it look like one car has landed on top of another. Ovals are popular and the window striping is … yeah, well.

Go inside and I’ll bet you’ve never seen a larger parking brake in any other car. That’s strange. The hard dashboard surfaces are just plain disappointing.

But you know what, for all the weirdness there’s stuff to like here.

It drives pretty well in an a peaceful sort of way, eschewing the sporty ambitions of most SUVs to flow over potholes rather than crash through them.

You sit nice and high in the driver’s seat, which for an old blokes with stiff hips like me, is appreciated.

And there’s something else the C3 Aircross does when you approach it, sit in it and drive it. It prompts a smile. Yep it’s so inoffensively and indefinably nice it’s impossible to not like.

That affection does come a little grudgingly and only after some time spent acclimatising together, you forgive its compromises and learn to live with its ergonomic foibles.

“I like your Noddy car,” was how one mate put it. That’s seems to sum it up.

Which is at least something positive for Linda Jackson and the Citroen faithful working to elevate the brand.

The C3 Aircross will never be the template for success, but if future models retain the ambience and improve the functionality, then just maybe Citroen can build something worthwhile in Australia.

How much does the 2019 Citroen C3 Aircross cost?
Price: $32,990 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 81kW/205Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel: 6.6L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 142g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: N/A