Citroen's C3 - a funky family car

But it gets criminally overlooked in the Citroen line-up because its more ostentatious cousin — the DS3 — grabs all the attention, despite being less practical and more expensive.

Overseas buyers, it seems, aren’t as blind to the C3’s attractions as we are. Citroen has sold more than 3.5 million of them.

The second generation was unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2009. Much more than a mere re-skin, the latest C3 has been extensively redesigned, inside and out, with a view to creating something more relaxing and pleasant to drive.

OPEN AIR: check out the massive windscreen

ON THE ROAD: ​ Some of the C3’s petrol engines were co-developed with BMW. As well as the Peugeot 208, they also feature in the Mini Cooper.

The diesels are more familiar being the latest version of PSA’s popular HDI (high-pressure direct injection) engine line up. The 1.4 HDI is game, but rather down on power, but the 1.6 has more power and torque for easy overtaking and effortless cruising. If you’re planning to do high miles it’s the budget beating pick of the range and, with a 0-62mph time of 11 seconds, you won’t be left behind out of town.

Traditionally, direct injection engines have a fuel economy advantage over indirect injection powerplants but suffer from higher levels of combustion noise.

Citroen deserves kudos for the C3’s engine bay noise isolation, which has largely overcome the usual HDI diesel clatter and chatter. There’s some injector rattle under acceleration, but it’s nothing out of the ordinary and the C3 has impeccable manners when it’s cruising.

It’s a pity the cheapest models only have five-speed gearboxes but at least the change is nice and smooth and it’s a huge improvement over the old model’s jerky Sensomatic gearbox.

The C3 rides in the grand Citroen tradition where comfort and ease of driving takes precedence over sporty handling. On badly surfaced roads the chassis does a fine job of soaking up imperfections and, although it’s perfectly capable of attacking twisting country lanes, the C3’s default mien is slow and steady, not rough ‘n ready. If you want hot hatch manners, there’s always the DS3.

​ ON THE INSIDE: ​ The first thing you’ll notice is the ‘Zenith’ windscreen which runs up and over your head into the roof, flooding the cabin with light and giving it the airy feel of an MPV.

Apart from a few slivers of plastic trim, the C3’s fascia is identical to the DS3. This isn’t entirely surprising (they are based on the same platform, after all) but the DS has more upmarket aspirations.

The deep-set instruments are a stylish fusion of traditional analogue and digital, the heating and ventilation controls are straightforward and all the controls are logically laid out.

But PSA’s audio control layout is showing its age now. The plethora of small buttons could do with an Apple-style minimalist makeover and the user interface requires a familiarisation period.

Citroen’s perceived quality has taken a major step forward.

NICE PLACE: the interior is a big step foward

WHAT DO YOU GET: ​ Every C3 features power steering, remote central locking, electric mirrors and MP3 connectivity. You don’t get much more for your 11k on the VT 1.1, though, so if you want a few more creature comforts it’s best to stump up for the VTR+ which comes with air conditioning, cruise control, Bluetooth wireless connectivity and the option of a satellite navigation system with rear parking sensors for an extra £950.

HOW PRACTICAL IS IT? ​ The C3 is a more practical than the eye-catching DS3. It’s a four-door bodyshell, so rear passengers are spared the indignities of clambering over a front seat to reach the back.

In the front, Citroen has scooped out the dashboard so the front seat can be slid further forward without implications for your knees. Doing so frees up more legroom for back seat passengers.

The rear bench has Isofix mounts for two child seats, the seats fold 60/40 and the decent-sized boot (which, at 300 litres, is one of the largest in the supermini class) adds to its family-friendly appeal. The seats can be folded down from the cabin or by tugging a lever inside the boot.

The door pockets are quite small but there’s a handy locker between the front seats.

A compact body shape, with minimal overhangs front and back, makes the C3 an easy car to park, with or without warning sensors.

​ RUNNING COSTS: ​ Every C3 has a digital ‘gear efficiency indicator’ which tells the driver when to change up (or down) for maximum fuel economy. All the engines clean-running with low emissions. The Airdream models all dip below the 100g/km CO2 cut off point and thus qualify for free road tax. Servicing costs are class competitive and all the diesels will stretch a gallon more than 50 miles in the real world.

​ VERDICT: ​ Whatever ride qualities the old C3 had were nullified by its horrible Sensomatic semi-automatic gearbox. A manual gearbox allows the new C3’s chassis and suspension to shine by offering outstanding comfort to accompany the engines’ impressive refinement and a smart new cabin.

As a dad, I was grateful for the C3’s practical four-door layout and my kids appreciated the smooth ride.

With more than 3.5m sold already, I reckon we’ll be seeing plenty more C3s on UK roads for a long time to come.

Price: from £13,660

Spec:​ Engine: ​1.6-litre, four cylinder, 16-valve diesel Power: ​89bhp @ 3,750rpm Torque: ​230Nm (170lb/ft) @ 2,000 rpm Top speed: ​113 mph 0-62mph: ​11.3 seconds Fuel economy: ​78.5mpg (1.6 e-HDI Airdream) CO2 emissions: ​95g/km Insurance group: ​18E Equipment: ​Alloys, climate control, electric mirrors and front windows, cruise control, alarm, MP3 connectivity, Bluetooth.

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