2024 Citroën C3 Aircross Test Drive: REEDS Bellville, Cape Town
Today, I was fortunate enough to test drive the 2024 Citroën C3 Aircross automatic (AT) that only had about 20 km mileage on it when I started it up. From the moment I saw it, I knew it would be a fun ride. My son Nathan joined me on the trip to share his thoughts from a teenager’s perspective.
Thanks to enjoyable company, quiet roads, and gorgeous scenery, I enjoyed my experience in the 2024 Citroën C3 Aircross. I even entered a competition to win a C3 Max, but more on that later.
Let’s start the engine and begin the drive!
2024 Citroën C3 Aircross Quick Feature List
Before I head into the 2024 Citroën C3 Aircross AT test drive experience, I’ll give you the quick specs of this amazing SUV. Please note that I drove the 5-seater Max Turbo AT model, but I’m also providing some specifications for the 7-seater version.
– Interior Configuration: Full House with 7 seats (2 extra in the boot), Outdoor with 4 sears and side luggage sections, Camper with 5 seats and rear flattened for cargo, Ultra Space with 2 seats and 2nd and 3rd row folded.
– Top Exterior Features: Aggressive but stunning front grille, 200 mm ground clearance, quadratic 17” alloy wheels, 215/60 R17 Ø 690 mm tyres, 4.32 m length with 1.669 m height, sexy LED lights
– Performance Elements: 1.2-litre Turbocharged PureTech engine, 3-Cylinder Inline, 4 Valves per Cylinder, 81 kW power with 205 Nm torque, fuel economy of 6.3 Litres / 100 km with a 45-litre fuel tank
– Comfort and Alignment: Citroën suspension provides that “flying carpet” effect, 2nd-row seats have a 3-step recliner, adjustable headrests throughout, roof-mounted cabin cooling
– Modern Automotive Technology: 10” high-definition touchscreen, 7” TFT instrument cluster, 3 personalisation modes, reverse parking camera and sensors, boom-boxing sound with 4 speakers and 2 tweeters
– Safety Galore: standard airbags, hill-hold assist, ESP and ABS, tire pressure monitoring system
– Range of Models: Plus MT, Max Turbo AT, Max Turbo at 7s (7-seater model)
– Price Range: R269,00 to R364,900*
*Prices obtained from the official SA brand site at the time of this article. Prices are subject to change and may differ among dealerships. Check more of the SUV’s specifications on the Citroen South Africa website!
The Meet and Greet
My son and I arrived at REEDS Bellville about 20 minutes earlier than my 9 am appointment. Anton Brewer not only greeted us with a smile, but he didn’t leave us waiting either. After a brief photoshoot around and inside the car, we moved the 2024 Citroën C3 Aircross outside into the morning sunshine, ready for the adventure that awaited us.
Taking the 2024 Citroën C3 Aircross for a Spin
When I opened the driver’s door, I immediately noticed the automatic transmission. It had been a while since I’ve gone AT, as I’ve only opted for a manual transmission when buying cars. I’ve driven an automatic twice in my life, so I had to get used to it again.
My eyes lit up when I started the engine. It purred beautifully, and I was eager to feel the fantastic Citroën suspension I’d read about. When Anton pulled the car off the showroom floor, Nathan already commented, “That’s smooth.” And we weren’t even in the vehicle yet!
The route we took was from the REEDS Bellville dealership, past stunning trees up to Frans Conradie Drive and then to the N1 highway. From there, we breezed along to the Durban Road offramp, back down the N1, and made our return to the dealership. Below are the top features that caught my attention.
Smooth Driving, Reliable Performance
As promised, the 2024 Citroën C3 Aircross suspension glided us across the roads. If there were any bumps or potholes, we didn’t feel it. The 81 kW was powerful enough to get us up steep hills, and the hill-hold assist held us in place so we didn’t roll backwards.
With only 6.3 Litres / 100 km, Anton assured me I wouldn’t spend too much on fuel if I wanted to visit my family in Welkom or Kleinmond. Well, not as much as the gas-guzzlers out on the streets these days. My 2015 Renault Clio III does about 8 – 9 litres per 100 km, so the Aircross is definitely better with fuel.
Switching Gears
Despite having an automatic transmission, you can switch the 2024 Citroën C3 Aircross to manual mode. Press the gear lever down to the bottom just under Driver, and you hit manual mode. Like a PlayStation driving game, you just click the stick up or down to shift gears, keeping an eye on the digital dash to see which gear you’re in.
Anton had fun showing me how the manual system worked, but then I switched back to automatic so I could take in all the other excellent features.
Comfortable Seats with Spacious Interior
As with most SUVs, the 2024 Citroën C3 Aircross has plenty of legroom and interior space. Even the 2nd-row passengers have plenty of space to enjoy, stretching their legs and owning their domains. There are two knobs in the centre which allow the rear passengers to electronically open their windows, instead of only having this feature in the front.
Since I was driving the 5-seater, I got to see the spacious boot in the back. There are 444 litres back there, which is way more than my Clio. You can definitely get a decent amount of shopping done or pack loads of luggage for a camping trip.
Speaking of comfort, the air conditioning felt heavenly on this hot summer day. Instead of feeling like it blows directly on you, the cool air fills the cabin more naturally, putting you more at ease.
Lighting Up the Dashboard
I still drive a car with analogue dashboard speed and fuel indicators, so the 2024 Citroën C3 Aircross was a nice shot into modern vehicles. The dashboard lit up with all the immediate information I needed, such as speed, gear, fuel level, and engine temperature.
There’s also a central 10” touchscreen display that connects you to Android or Apple apps, lets you tune into radio stations, or gives you a heads-up when reversing into a parking space. Coming from an era where you had radios you slipped in and out of brackets, this truly was a taste of modern auto technology.
Since my smartphone didn’t want to take a decent photo of the touchscreen, here’s a visual from Citroën’s site.
What My Son Has to Say
Nathan also has his opinion on what it was like being a 2nd-row passenger in the 2024 Citroën C3 Aircross SUV. He loves the spacious legroom the most, saying he can really relax back there without his knees pressing into the front seat. His eyes went wide when he heard how loud the front speakers and tweeters were, easily reaching the 2nd row.
Another feature he likes is the ability to electronically open the rear windows instead of manually turning a handle. The seats are incredibly comfortable, and he says he can see himself sleeping like a dream back there on long trips.
Citroën C3 Max Competition
When we returned to REEDS Bellville, I asked about the Citroën C3 Max Competition. Stellantis South Africa (Pty) Ltd is the promoter, and all you have to do is either book a test drive with one of the eligible vehicles, like the 2024 Citroën C3 Aircross, or test drive and buy one.
After my drive, I was eager to enter the competition, and Anton helped me with just a few clicks on his computer. It ends on 31 December 2024, so if you’d like to own one, it’s time to head over to the dealership and test drive one before time runs up!
To read the full details, you can check the competition page. Yes, I know I’m shooting myself in the foot, as offering this competition to you lowers my chances of winning. That’s ok. I’m a generous guy.
Head to REEDS Bellville for a C3 Test Drive Today!
As you can tell, I enjoyed driving the 2024 Citroën C3 Aircross. Anton Brewer made the experience enjoyable, and if you have a chance to test drive a car at REEDS Bellville, I recommend chatting with him anytime. Everyone there was so friendly, and I received a few smiles from his colleagues before and after our adventure.
So, if you also want to test drive the 2024 Citroën C3 Aircross or any of the other available vehicles, you can contact Anton at 078 754 3753 (mobile), 021 941 2600 (office), or [email protected] (email…duh).
