The new Citroen C3 Aircross SUV has made its global debut in India. It is the third model from the brand for India after the C3 hatchback and the C5 Aircross SUV. The new C3 Aircross SUV will go on sale here in the second half of 2023.
While the brand has shared limited details of the new C3 Aircross SUV, we do know that it will be 4.3 meters long, which means it will have the same length as the Creta. As far as styling is concerned, the C3 Aircross takes the unmistakable family styling cues from Citroen, and at first glance, it looks similar to the smaller C3, but a closer look reveals the difference in size and styling.
Like most Citroëns, the front logo is integrated into the grille, which features a two-layer design with chrome and piano black inserts. It also gets the Citroen signature Y-shaped daytime running lamps, just below the headlamps. The front bumper is longer and its dedicated air intake vents are flanked by round fog lamp enclosures. There is also a prominent chin crafted from brushed aluminium.
In profile, the C3 Aircross gets round wheel arches, a wheelbase of 2,671mm, which is longer than the Creta. It also gets wheel arches just below the doors and additional cladding on the doors, similar to other Citroën models. The C3 gets 200mm of ground clearance, which is higher than the Creta. The doors look bigger but come with conventional lift-type door handles instead of the pull-type units used by its rivals. Higher variants will come with dual-tone exterior paint and chunky 17-inch alloy wheels with stylish X-shaped design. At the rear, it features a large tailgate, tall bumper with substantial cladding and square tail-lamps, similar to the smaller C3, albeit larger in size.
Citroen has cleverly equipped the C3 Aircross with not one, but two seating options. There will be a standard five-seat iteration with a three-row layout for seven passengers. As far as cargo room is concerned, Citroën claims that the 5-seat C3 Aircross offers 444-litres of boot and the 7-seater variant gets 511 litres, with the third row removed completely.
While the SUV may not get automatic climate control, it will get an additional set of AC vents for the second and third row passengers. Infotainment duties will be carried out by a 10.2-inch touchscreen, which is the same as the C3. The C3 Aircross also gets a fully-digital multi-coloured instrument cluster with multiple drive modes.
The C3 Aircross is powered by a 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine that produces 110hp and 190Nm of torque. This is the same powerplant that does duty in the C3 as well. As far as gearbox options are concerned, the C3 Aircross will initially go on sale with a six-speed manual. There will also be an automatic, although our sources tell Citroen is struggling to secure units from supplier AISIN.
The C3 Aircross rivals the likes of Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Maruti Grand Vitara, Toyota Hyryder, Volkswagen Taigun and Skoda Kushaq. The price announcement for the C3 Aircross will happen in the second half of this year.