Meet the new Citroën C3, with added Cactus inside and out

"Kookanoodles" (Kookanoodles)
06/29/2016 at 11:48 • Filed to: Citroën C3, C4 Cactus, Citroën, Peugeot 208

Citroën unveiled today the third generation of their popular C3 supermini. Eschewing the 2CV-ish looks of the first and second generations, this new model does a great job of disguising its extensive Peugeot 208 underpinnings with part C4 Picasso, part C4 Cactus looks.

I think it looks pretty nice outside and continues Citroën’s aggression-free design language. Don’t we need more of that? The Airbumps on the doors are optional because, believe it or not, those have not been popular at all in France on the C4 Cactus.

But where the new C3 really shines is the interior. With the Cactus and the recent China-only C6, this is Citroën’s third car to feature that simple, luggage-inspired interior, and it’s brilliant. I especially like the work done on the various fabrics. it’s high time you could get an original and qualitative interior design without resorting to expensive materials.

So, what do we think? Good enough to get the same reception around here as the Cactus?

DISCUSSION (8)

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > Kookanoodles
06/29/2016 at 11:56

I thought the airbumps would be standard. If I were to order a C3 I’d definitely take them but in the body color if possible.

Leon711 > Kookanoodles
06/29/2016 at 12:02

I’m a fan. Better looking than most of its rivals with a fresher, more minimalist interior.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Kookanoodles
06/29/2016 at 12:19

I like it! Then again, I wish that the Cactus was sold here in Canadialand :(

....wait....the AirBumps are optional on the Cactus...?

The interior looks like a genuinely nice place to be for a cheap little runabout. :)

Kookanoodles > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
06/29/2016 at 12:23

No, they’re optional on the C3. On the Cactus they’re mandatory and, based on the very scientific study conducted by asking people around me, most folk do not have words strong enough to describe how much they hate it. I’m not joking, most people I’ve talked to think the Cactus is hideous beyond words. I must admit I still haven’t understood that opinion, because every time I try to make sense of it I get mad. People claim they like minimalistic, functionalist design like Apple and Ikea. No car has ever come closer to that philosophy than the C4 Cactus, but no, everyone would rather have something German. It’s maddening.

Dr_Doctor > Kookanoodles
06/29/2016 at 13:19

I like the light grey/dark grey striped interior in the second to last image. That and the rectangle pattern embossed into the door cards are pretty neat looking as well.

Since I use the parking garage at work, I’d probably get the airbumps just to prevent any door dings.

Kookanoodles > FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem
06/29/2016 at 13:26

I don’t know if that’ll be available or not. They’ve showed a few possible colour combinations but maybe not all of them. However the rumour is that when the time comes to facelift the C4 Cactus it will get body-coloured Airbumps to mitigate that utilitarian look that people don’t like.

RT > Kookanoodles
06/29/2016 at 13:46

Huge improvement over before.

It’s like a subtler Cactus. Great to see Citroën are getting their identity back.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Kookanoodles
06/29/2016 at 14:04

I personally find VW’s quality nowhere near as good as people say it is, at least over here in Canada. I’ve seen Golfs and Jettas only 5-6 years old with mammoth amounts of flaked paint on the wheel arches with huge amounts of rust, plus a lot of other faults, yet people flock to them here. Also, not sure about Europe, but anything else German (Audi/Merc/BMW) have repair costs so high around here, average folk can’t really afford them.

Even if I COULD afford it, I’m a weird guy, so I would take the Cactus’ minimalist but striking design and quirky french heritage any day! :)