Citroen C3 Aircross Globally Premieres In India As Three-row Hyundai Creta Rival

• Citroen C3 Aircross globally breaks cover in India. 
• It will be launched in India in the second half of 2023.
• Will be offered with both 5- and 7-seater options.
• Gets rugged styling elements with a few quirky bits adding character. 
• Inside, the dashboard design is identical to the C3 hatchback.
• Features include new digital driver’s screen and 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system.
• Powered by a 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine.

Citroen India has globally premiered its next launch for our market, the C3 Aircross. The new compact SUV is a three-row offering that’s based on the C3 hatchback and is an alternative to models such as the Hyundai Creta and Maruti Suzuki Ertiga. This model, slated for launch in the second half of 2023, has been developed and manufactured specially for India and will be exported to select global markets as well.  

In terms of styling, the new C3 Aircross looks typical Citroen with plenty of quirky bits and french vibes. At the front, it gets split headlamps ditto to the C3, flanked by a larger grille. Combine that with a minimalist styled front bumper with skid plates and you’ve a front-end that looks like a mini C5 Aircross. 

In profile, the four-split-spoke alloys look funky, while the body cladding and upright silhouette gives it a rugged vibe. The upright styling also helps in practicality, opening up headroom inside the cabin (but more on that later). At the rear, the C3 Aircross gets LED tail lamps and a rugged rear bumper with skid plates that round off the overall design. 

The C3’s roots are very much felt on the inside as the dashboard design and layout is similar between both cars. However, this being a more premium model, there are minor changes such as a proper digital driver’s screen housing a tachometer. It is finished in a black/beige colour scheme that gives the cabin an airy and upmarket feel.  It can also be had either as a 5- or 7-seater. 

This also gets amenities for middle and last row occupants such as roof-mounted AC vents with adjustable blower speeds. The last row also gets USB ports for charging, but they are not modern C-type ones. And in terms of legroom, the third row to be tight on legroom, but stay tuned for our view on that real soon.  Also, with all three rows up, there's literally no space to store even a soft bag. But removing them opens up a 511-litre trunk. 

In terms of features, the C3 Aircross gets most of the kit from the hatchback, including a 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, manual AC, steering mounted audio controls and electronically controlled ORVMs. Passenger safety is taken care of by multiple airbags, electronic stability control and rear parking sensors with camera. 

The C3 Aircross gets the 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine from the C3, paired with a six-speed manual transmission. 

The upcoming Citroen C3 Aircross, expected to be priced from around Rs 9 lakh (ex-showroom),  will be a three-row rival to models such as the Hyundai Creta, Maruti Suzuki Ertiga, Kia Seltos/Carens, VW Taigun and Skoda Kushaq.