Citroen C3

Citroën C3 at a glance

A separate C3 developed for India and Latin America from 2021 shares only the name with the European third generation and is not covered in the tables here.

C3 I (2002–2009): on the Peugeot 206 platform

Citroën showed the first C3 at the 2001 Frankfurt and Bologna motor shows. Sales began in January 2002 and production in April 2002. The car used the platform of the Peugeot 206, later shared with the Peugeot 1007 and 207, and was built in France, Spain and, from 2003 to August 2012, in Porto Real, Brazil. The C3 Pluriel convertible was assembled only in Spain.

A facelift in October 2005 brought a new front, new rear lights and a new dashboard. Demand was strong from the start: 136,530 cars were built in Europe in 2002 and 290,666 in 2003. In Euro NCAP's older test of 2002 the C3 scored 28 points for adult occupants.

C3 II (2009–2016): the big windscreen

The second C3 was revealed on 29 June 2009, shown at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September and launched in November 2009. Citroën marketed it in Europe as "The Visiospace", after its large windscreen with a 108-degree field of vision.

A facelift at the Geneva show in March 2013 brought new chevrons, LED daytime running lights and new tail lights. In its 2009 Euro NCAP test the C3 scored 83% for adult occupants, 74% for children, 33% for pedestrians and 40% for safety assistance.

C3 III (2016–2024): Airbump side panels

Citroën released the first pictures of the third generation on 29 June 2016. The front took its look from the facelifted C4 Picasso, and Airbump side mouldings, as on the C4 Cactus, were offered as an option. A facelift revealed in February 2020 added new LED headlights and new interior themes.

Euro NCAP tested the 1.2 PureTech 82 Feel in 2017: 88% for adult occupants, 83% for children, 59% for pedestrians and 58% for safety assistance.

C3 IV (since 2024): Smart Car Platform and electric version

Citroën introduced the fourth generation on 17 October 2023, and production began in 2024. It uses the Smart Car Platform, planned to underpin seven Stellantis models, among them the Opel Frontera and the Fiat Grande Panda. The body is 19 mm longer and 6 mm wider than before, ground clearance rises by 28 mm to 163 mm, and the cabin has 30 mm more front headroom and 20 mm more rear knee room. A head-up display replaces a conventional instrument cluster, and the car has Citroën's Advanced Comfort suspension and seats.

ADAC lists the ë-C3 with 43.8 kWh net (44.2 kWh gross), 16.7 kWh/100 km in the WLTP cycle, 11 kW AC charging (170 minutes for a full charge) and up to 100 kW DC, with 10–80% in about 26 minutes. It is 4,015 mm long, weighs 1,491 kg and has a 400-litre boot. ADAC's own test gave a real range of 255 km and 19.9 kWh/100 km. An ë-C3 Urban You with a 30 kWh battery was added later. In ADAC's November 2025 test of six affordable electric cars the ë-C3 You shared third place with an overall grade of 2.6, with a sparse equipment list noted as its weak point.

Prices in Germany

From June 2024 to November 2025 the entry C3 cost €15,990. In ADAC's August 2026 list of new cars below €20,000 the C3 Turbo 100 You is the second-cheapest car after the Dacia Sandero.

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