Overall rating: 3.5/5
There might not be a great deal to differentiate the new Citroen C1 dynamically from the other two cars it has been developed alongside (the Peugeot 108 and Toyota Aygo), but funky styling combined with simple and distinctive trim levels should add to its appeal.
In the metal 3.5/5
Previously when a number of car companies came together to pool resources the end results often left the consumer with little to choose between other than price. This time around, Toyota, Peugeot and in the case of this review, Citroen, has each put much bigger individual stamps on their respective cars. Indeed it is the double chevron-nosed car that straddles the gap between controversial and demure styling.
Most of the best styling features are based around the front of the C1, which displays a different take on the latest Citroen headlight design language. It's hard not to see some kind of angry frowning face in the design, but regardless, it looks good. After all, small cars like this should have a healthy dose of attitude about them.
The C1 will be offered in both three- and five-door body variants, though the latter is likely to be the most popular given the added practicalities of two extra doors. They enable easier access especially to the two Isofix child seat points in the rear. The retractable fabric roof - named 'Airscape' - fitted to our test cars is an optional extra. There isn't much demand in Ireland for out-and-out convertibles, but as this system just opens up the very top of the roof, leaving the silhouette of the car the same, it could prove to be a popular option.
As for the interior, much of the emphasis on quality and design has been placed around the driver. The single large instrument binnacle sits behind the steering wheel and is a simple and uncluttered design that features some neat touches like the small digital rev counter stacked vertically on the left hand side. The centre console is of equally minimal design and incorporates a large touchscreen that also features MirrorLink, which allows for interactive smartphone connectivity.
Space inside the rest of the car is limited, although it is evident that Citroen has worked hard in order to maximise passenger room. Thin door cards have been kept simple in their design while the front seats appear to have been pared back as much as possible whilst still offering reasonable levels of support. In the rear there is room for two adults but headroom is one of the more limiting factors here - it's better in cars without the Airscape roof. Boot space is also tight at 196 litres of capacity, and it's hindered by the high lip around the boot opening, but additional space can be freed up by lowering the rear seats.
Driving it 3.5/5
The C1 makes a decent fist of driving around town. That is its remit after all. But what does shine through is the sense that this is a more solidly built car than the previous generation. Of particular note is the steering, which, when you venture out onto motorways, stays straight and true without feeling like it is being pulled across the road by undulations and imperfections in the tarmac. Sound insulation is of a reasonable level on the move too, and that was in a car equipped with the fabric roof so we would expect the full hardtop to improve upon that.
From an economic and financial perspective, the smaller 1.0-litre engine is likely to be the more popular choice for the Irish market, but credit is due to the 1.2-litre engine in our test car. It is far from gutless and offers sufficient low-end pull as well as a calm motorway cruising speed. The thrum from the three-cylinder engine does add somewhat to the perkiness of the drive yet manages not to drone annoyingly on longer drives.
Key to making the Citroen C1 a fun car to drive is the weight, which has been kept down to a minimum - just 840kg. The benefits of this are twofold: it's nimble to drive without excessive body roll in the corners; and quite respectable real world fuel economy figures are returned. Its short length and relatively long wheelbase in respect to this means that performing U-turns and getting into tight parking spaces are easier than some other 'city cars' on the market.
What you get for your Money
The new Citroen C1 costs from €10,995. Three trim levels - Touch, Feel and Flair - are offered, while the Airscape roof can be had in the top two specifications. The C1 Touch comes as standard with remote central locking, ESC stability control, electric front windows, USB port and LED daytime running lights. It is the only trim level to be available in both three- and five-door body styles (all the others are five-door cars) and can be specified with the 68hp engine only.
It's the same engine for the C1 Feel, which starts at €13,095, but buyers can also choose between the standard manual gearbox or the 'ETG' automatic for a €800 premium. The Feel specification also adds DAB digital radio, air conditioning, the touchscreen system mentioned above, steering wheel controls and a few aesthetic tweaks. The C1 Airscape Feel costs €14,095.
Offered solely with the 82hp PureTech engine and a manual gearbox, the C1 Flair costs €14,195 (or €1,000 more in Airscape format), adding 15-inch alloy wheels, a reversing camera, electrically heated and adjustable door mirrors, a leather steering wheel and dark tinted rear windows to the mix.
Summary
As city cars go, there is now an abundance of choice to be had by consumers and thankfully more of a stylish variety of cars to choose from. The new Citroen C1 does seem to be parked in that middle ground between conservative and extrovert styling and if the 1.0-litre engine proves to be nearly as peppy as the larger 1.2-litre tested here, the quirky front end styling might not be as divisive as on the alternatives.
