Verdict

As with the Toyota Aygo and Peugeot 108, the basics of the C1 make for a convincing city car. At around 3.5m long and a tight turning circle, manoeuvering around urban areas is a breeze while good levels of comfort mask the worst that the roads have to throw at you.

Once you get out on to the open road, the ability to choose the 1.2-litre engine transforms the car. It’s not a car for setting speed records in, but the extra 13PS you get over the 1.0-litre option makes progress significantly easier and quieter.

The chance to slide back the huge fabric roof also makes for a pleasant environment, especially in urban areas where the wind roar created disappears entirely. Should the clouds roll in, closing the roof leaves you as removed from the outside world as the normal metal roof, so there’s no loss of refinement.

It’s just a shame that the ambience is let down a little by the cheap plastics on offer inside. Those looking to choose between a Volkswagen up! and the C1 might wonder if they’re stepping back a generation in design, but the basic ergonomics work well enough. Swap some of the black plastic for brightly coloured panels and it livens things up a little, masking the cost saving a little.

The Citroen C1 is flattered by the city, but the huge number of A-segment competitors means it has to do things exceptionally well to stand out. The Volkswagen up! is neater and better quality, the MG3 offers more fun for significantly less money while the Hyundai i10 offers five years peace of mind, but the Citroen mostly  holds its own across all areas.

Click here to read the Editor’s review on the new Citroen C1.

The Low Down on the Citroen C1…..

…..and what it costs