Citroen C3 Aircross front three fourthShot by Sirish Chandran for evo India

Citroen C3 Aircross SUV makes global debut

The Citroen C3 Aircross is the brand's third product for India and it will be launched in the second half of 2023

Citroen has unveiled the highly anticipated Citroen C3 Aircross mid-size SUV which will be launched in India in the second half of 2023. It will be powered by a 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine with both manual and automatic transmissions available as an option. The C3 Aircross gets a five-seat as well as a 5+2 seat layout and claims to have the longest wheelbase and the best rear headroom in its class.

Citroen C3 Aircross design and platform

The C3 Aircross is underpinned by Citroen's Common Modular Platform under the C-Cubed programme. It is the third product from the French carmaker for the Indian market, after the C3 hatchback and the C5 Aircross SUV, and will be launched in July or August 2023. While the brand has shared limited details of the C3 Aircross, it has confirmed that it will be 4.3-metres long and have the longest wheelbase in its class: 2671mm. That puts it on par with the Hyundai Creta, in terms of outright length.

With its Y-shaped DRL design, the brand's dual Chevron logo and a two-part grille upfront, there's no mistaking the C3 Aircross to be anything else but a Citroen.

Infact at first glance, it looks very much like its younger sibling, the C3. However, a closer look reveals the difference in size. It gets a faux skid plate, both at the front and rear. On the sides, it gets squared off wheel arches and 17-inch alloys. At the back, the C3 gets C-shaped body hugging tail lights that are connected by a piano black strip of trim. The C3 Aircross also gets a best-in-class 200mm ground clearance. Citroen will offer the C3 Aircross in mono-tone as well as dual-tone colour options.

Citroen C3 Aircross rearShot by Sirish Chandran for evo India

Citroen C3 Aircross interior and features

Taking centre stage in the C3 Aircross interior is a 10-inch infotainment touchscreen similar to the one in the C3. It also gets the familiar three-spoke steering wheel and a digital instrument cluster. There's also a huge cubby space on the centre console right under the Air Con vents. And just like its younger sibling, it doesn't seem to have automatic air-conditioning. There are also roof mounted ac vents for 2nd and 3rd row of seat with blower control.

Citroen is offering the C3 Aircross with not one, but two seating options. A standard five-seat layout and a three-row layout with seven seats. With the second row up, the brand claims that the C3 Aircross has a 511-litre boot.

Citroen C3 Aircross infotainment touchscreenShot by Sirish Chandran for evo India

Citroen C3 Aircross dashboardShot by Sirish Chandran for evo India

Citroen C3 Aircross engine and rivals

The C3 Aircross will have a 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine. This engine churns out 108bhp and 190Nm of torque. This power plant will have the option of both six-speed manual and automatic transmission options.

The C3 Aircross will rival the likes of the Hyundai Creta, the Kia Seltos, the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, the Toyota Hyryder, the Volkswagen Taigun and the Skoda Kushaq. It will be launched in the second half of this year and we reckon will sit on the ₹15-₹22 lakh price bracket.