Citroen C1 Review
By Motor Match • 29/11/2023
The C1 has already proven a real hit among all types of drivers, from just-passed motorists looking for an insurance-friendly option to city dwellers after a car that’ll prove a doddle to park even in the tightest of spaces.
What is it?
Few companies know how to make small, efficient and good-value cars quite like Citroen. Over the years this French manufacturer has been behind some of the most famous low-cost models and it has continued this trend with the C1. It’s a city car designed alongside Toyota and Peugeot to deliver easy, budget-friendly motoring with a decent slice of style to go alongside it.
But what has it got to offer?
What’s new?
The C1 is all about great packaging. It’s a teeny-tiny car overall, but thanks to its boxy dimensions you can squeeze in taller passengers without too much trouble. There’s a deep boot, too, which can swallow up plenty of shopping or a suitcase. You can fold down the rear seats to increase luggage space, too.
You won’t find too many premium features inside the C1, but that’s missing the point of what this car is about. It’s designed to offer low-cost motoring that’s big on usability but low on fuss.
What’s under the bonnet?
Things are kept simple with the C1’s engine choices - there’s just one. The latest models were offered with a 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol with a modest 71bhp that brings a less-than-scintillating 0-60mph time of 14.4 seconds. Does that really matter in a car like this? Not particularly. You get an easy-to-use five-speed manual gearbox, too, and though an automatic is available it’s not the best and is a little dim-witted.
Economy is, as you might expect, superb. Citroen claims that you can see well over 60mpg without any trouble, so you really won’t be heading to the petrol station too often.
What’s it like to drive?
It’s all about an easy driving experience in the C1. The peppy engine might not be the most powerful of units, but it’s great for ensuring you can nip in and out of traffic. It’s got quite a characterful sound to it, too, and after a while, the C1’s start-up noise becomes very recognisable.
Visibility is excellent as well and because of the C1’s compact size, it’s dead easy to thread through narrow streets and around tight multi-storey car parks. As we’ve touched upon, parking is a breeze, too, even without parking sensors or cameras. Light steering helps towards this too.
How does it look?
The C1’s got that quirky styling approach that we’ve come to expect from Citroen. It’s available in many different colours, too, from played-down greys to more exuberant reds and blues. You can even get it with a roll-back fabric roof for some of the wind-in-your-hair experience you’d expect to get from a traditional soft-top. Put it back in place and you’ve got the same comfortable city car as before.
We also like the all-glass rear hatch section, which gives the C1 a clean, no-frills look. Certain models get contrast wing mirror covers, too, for a more eye-catching design.
What’s it like inside?
With such a compact footprint, it’ll come as no surprise that the C1 isn’t able to deliver limousine-like levels of space inside. However, it does okay in this regard and has enough space for four to sit easily - though it could get a little cosy for long-distance trips. You’ve got plenty of hard-wearing materials inside, which will help to ensure that the C1 looks fresh even after plenty of miles.
It would be nice to have even a few different-coloured plastics as it can tend to feel a little drab inside, though some versions get some contrast plastic around the main screen and radio section. These feel far brighter inside than their all-black counterparts.
What’s the spec like?
The C1 is all about great value, so you’ll find all of your must-have features bundled up as standard. Entry-level Touch specification cars still get electric windows, LED daytime running lights and a pretty basic speaker setup but, if transport is what you need, then these models are likely to suit you just fine.
You can go right up to Flair specification where you’ll find a seven-inch touchscreen system, chrome trim and electric mirrors but, in our view, the C1 is best at its most basic. However, you might want to opt for mid-level Feel trim - it brings air conditioning as standard.
Verdict
The C1 is a car without any extra garnish. It’s a way of getting around without breaking the bank thanks to low insurance groups, great fuel economy and servicing costs that won’t cause you to faint each time you take this car to the garage.
Sure, it might not be the most refined on the motorway nor the most powerful but, if getting from A to B without incurring too much expense is what you’re after then the C1 is a fine choice.
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