It’s instantly apparent that the brand new Citroen C3 Aircross Max has a tall activity forward of it. Ever since Citroen’s hey-days of the ’60s and ‘70s, the French producer sealed an enviable popularity for radical automotive design. The solely drawback was its left-field creations weren’t at all times nicely obtained by the shopping for public. Sure, many iconic Citroens have been destined to turn out to be immediate future classics resulting from their quirky interpretation. However, you at all times received received the sense the French agency form of envied manufacturers that would merely make a good, humble, cost-effective car for the masses.

That’s the place the brand new Citroen C3 Aircross Max enters the fray. Priced at simply R344 900, it’s definitely radical on worth. And having spent every week with it, I’m unable to suss out any draw back on this worth equation. First of all, it’s taller, chunkier and extra strong than the bottom C3 hatchback Stellantis additionally launched this yr. The final one hailed from Europe, however to convey the Citroen C3 Aircross Max into South Africa at a aggressive worth, it’s sourced from India.  

CITROEN C3 AIRCROSS MAX

And we get it, actually we do. Stellantis’ world restructuring means rising markets like South Africa can and will get right-hand-drive autos from the Far East. And, you recognize what? The New World Order works. The Citroen C3 Aircross Max is designated a no-frills, entry-level kind crossover in South Africa. It foregoes all of the good, quirky stuff you’ll discover in Peugeot and Opel, so the Stellantis world playpens don’t overlap.

And, as a budget-friendly crossover, the Citroen C3 Aircross Max is kind of optionless but additionally fairly faultless. What you see is what you get. On the outside you get a two-tone roof, contrasting wing mirrors and some nice-to-have trim bits. But, on the within, it’s a really extraordinary gray on black inside with a number of materials inserts to inject some differentiation. Crucially, there’s a neat 10-inch infotainment display screen with wi-fi Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and reverse-view digicam that handles all performance. And there’s a fundamental 7-inch instrument cluster. It’s fundamental and to-the-point, however you’ve received to understand the pragmatism of its execution.

PRAGMATIC MEETS PRACTICAL

Clearly, extra essential to the Citroen C3 Aircross Max engineering crew is its sensible execution. With a wheelbase of 2 671 mm and an general size of 4 323 mm, the Citroen C3 Aircross Max is without doubt one of the largest autos in school and worth vary. And it reveals. There is seating for 5 full-size adults and an enormous boot (444 litres) due to its proudly upright, boxy form on the rear. During the check interval, I hosted guests from abroad with a great deal of baggage and a passion to go to all the standard Cape Town vacationer traps. And the boxy Citroen felt prefer it was proper in its factor. The adjustable driver’s armrest was an surprising and welcome boon for consolation, too.   

On the highway, the excellent news extends to its drive high quality as nicely. The perky little turbocharged three-cylinder 1.2-litre engine punches nicely above its weight. 81 kW and 205 Nm of torque is transferred to the highway gamely by a six-speed automated. And delivers a thrummy three-pot roar within the course of. Combined with a commendable weight reduction programme, it pretty shunts the Citroen C3 Aircross Max from zero to 100 km/h in lower than 10 seconds. It’s additionally enjoyable with out dashing your gasoline financial system, which settled at a real-world common of 7.0 l/100 km throughout our analysis. Equally commendable is its dealing with, given this can be a not-so small crossover SUV. Steering really feel is mild however exact, and the physique shell copes nicely with the additional trip top and chunky 17-inch wheels.

THE VERDICT

So, the R344 900 query should be whether or not the Citroen C3 Aircross Max is definitely worth the montly repayments? We, for one, imagine it’s. Just psychologically, any new family vehicle retailing for less the R400k has won the right to your attention. Sure, a number of the typical French fandango to draw the trendies is lacking. But the automobile continues to be hanging sufficient with its two-tone execution to be desireable. And, mechanically, the upside of the feisty 1.2T motor is there for all to see with its pragmati efficiency. As a outcome, it deserves to succeed in a value-driven South African market.

THE FIGURES

• Citroen C3 Aircross Max 1.2T 6AT
• Price: R344 900
• Engine: 1.2-litre turbo petrol
• Power: 81 kW @ 5 500 r/min and 205 Nm @ 1 500 r/min
• Transmission: 6-speed auto, front-wheel drive
• Fuel Economy: 6.3 l/100 km (claimed) / 7.0 l/100 km (examined)
• Performance: 0-100 km/h in 9.5 seconds / prime pace 185 km/h

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THIS FAMILY CROSSOVER?

Let us know by clicking on the remark tab under or by emailing info@thesouthafrican.com. Or WhatsApp your ideas on this text to 060 011 0211. Don’t overlook to comply with The South African for the most recent updates.