Citroen has just launched the C3 in the Indian market at a starting price of Rs 5.71 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). The C3 is the French carmaker’s first mass-market model for India and it takes on the Maruti Suzuki Ignis, Tata Punch, Renault Kiger and the Nissan Magnite. The C3 is available in two engine and two trim options.
Here is how the new C3 compares against its rivals in terms of dimensions, engine specs and price.
- Citroen C3 has the longest wheelbase in the segment
- Boasts of the most powerful turbo-petrol engine
- No automatic gearbox being offered at launch
Citroen C3 vs rivals: dimensions
| Dimensions | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Citroen C3 | Tata Punch | Maruti Ignis | Renault Kiger | Nissan Magnite | |
| Length | 3,981mm | 3,827mm | 3,700mm | 3,991mm | 3,994mm |
| Width | 1,733mm | 1,742mm | 1,690mm | 1,750mm | 1,758mm |
| Height | 1,586mm | 1,615mm | 1,595mm | 1,600mm | 1,572mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,540mm | 2,445mm | 2,435mm | 2,500mm | 2,500mm |
| Bootspace | 315 litres | 366 litres | 260 litres | 405 litres | 336 litres |
| Fuel capacity | 30 litres | 37 litres | 32 litres | 40 litres | 40 litres |
| Tyre Size | 15-inch | 16-inch | 15-inch | 16-inch | 16-inch |
The Citroen C3 falls in the middle when it comes to dimensions – it is longer than the Tata Punch and Maruti Suzuki Ignis, but marginally shorter than the Renault Kiger and Nissan Magnite. At 2,540mm, the Citroen has the largest wheelbase here, and is even longer than compact SUVs such as the Hyundai Venue, Tata Nexon and Kia Sonet. The C3 is wider than the Ignis, but narrower than the others. In terms of height, the C3 is the lowest after the Magnite, while the Punch is the tallest among all the models.
The Kiger boasts of the biggest boot here measuring 405 litres, followed by the Punch with 366 litres and the Magnite with 336 litres. The C3 comes next with a 315-litre boot capacity. The Ignis has the smallest boot here measuring just 260 litres.
The Kiger and the Magnite have the largest fuel tanks in this comparison – both measuring 40 litres – while the Punch and Ignis have a 37-litre and 32-litre fuel tank, respectively. The C3 has the smallest fuel tank at just 30 litres.
In terms of tyre sizes, only the Ignis and the C3 get 15-inch wheels, while the Punch, Kiger and Magnite get bigger 16-inchers.
Citroen C3 vs rivals: engine and gearbox
| Engine and gearbox | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Citroen C3 | Tata Punch | Maruti Ignis | Renault Kiger | Nissan Magnite | |
| Type | 3 cyls, NA/3 cyls Turbo | 3 cyls, NA | 4 cyls, NA | 3 cyls, NA/3 cyls, Turbo | 3 cyls, NA/3 cyls, Turbo |
| Displacement | 1198cc/1199cc | 1199cc | 1197cc | 999cc/999cc | 999cc/999cc |
| Power | 82hp/110hp | 86hp | 83hp | 72hp/100hp | 72hp/100hp |
| Torque | 115Nm/190Nm | 113Nm | 113Nm | 96Nm/160Nm(MT) 152Nm(AT) | 96Nm/160Nm(MT) 152Nm(AT) |
| Manual Gearbox | 5-speed/6-speed | 5-speed | 5-speed | 5-speed/5-speed | 5-speed/5-speed |
| Automatic Gearbox | - | 5-speed AMT | 5-speed AMT | 5-speed AMT/CVT | CVT (Turbo) |
The C3 gets two three-cylinder engine options – an 82hp, 1.2-litre naturally aspirated (NA) petrol engine and a 110hp, 1.2-litre turbo-petrol motor. The Magnite and Kiger also get NA and turbo-petrol engine options, while the Punch and Ignis are offered only with NA motors. The Ignis, however, is the only car here to get a four-cylinder unit.
Considering only the NA options, the Punch is the most powerful with 86hp, followed by the Ignis with 83hp. The C3 comes a close third with 82hp on tap. The Magnite and the Kiger are the least powerful in their NA guise, making just 72hp.
The C3 is the most powerful car here with its turbo-petrol engine. It makes 10hp and a significant 40Nm more than the 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine offered in the Kiger and the Magnite.
In terms of gearboxes, the C3 is the only car here that does not get an automatic, for now. The NA engine is paired to a 5-speed manual, while the turbo petrol is mated to a 6-speed manual. The latter, however, has the highest number of ratios here – the others have five gears.
The Punch and the Ignis can be had either with a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed AMT. The Magnite gets a 5-speed manual as standard, while buyers of the turbo variant can opt for a CVT. The Kiger also gets a 5-speed manual as standard, but it gets the option of an AMT automatic for the NA engine and a CVT for the turbo variants.
| Fuel Efficiency | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Citroen C3 | Tata Punch | Maruti Ignis | Renault Kiger | Nissan Magnite | |
| ARAI Mileage NA MT | 19.8kpl | 18.97kpl | 20.89kpl | - | 18.75kpl |
| ARAI Mileage NA AT | - | 18.82kpl | 20.89kpl | - | - |
| ARAI Mileage Turbo MT | 19.4kpl | - | - | 20kpl | 20kpl |
| ARAI Mileage Turbo AT | - | - | - | 18.24kpl | 17.7kpl |
Citroen has an ARAI-claimed fuel efficiency of 19.8kpl for the NA engine and 19.4kpl for the turbo-petrol motor. The figures are more than the Punch, but lower than the Ignis and manual turbo-petrol versions of the Nissan Magnite and Renault Kiger.
Citroen C3 vs rivals: pricing
| Prices | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model | Citroen C3 | Tata Punch | Maruti Suzuki Ignis | Renault Kiger | Nissan Magnite |
| Price range | Rs 5.71 - 8.06 lakh | Rs 5.93 - 8.72 lakh | Rs 5.35 - 7.22 lakh | Rs 6.00 - 9.49 lakh | Rs 5.97 - 9.49 lakh |
When it comes to pricing, as we had expected, the C3 sits right between the hatchbacks and compact SUVs. Do note that we have taken only the manual variants of C3’s competition since the Citroen does not get an automatic for now.
The starting price of the C3 is only higher than the Ignis and undercuts the Punch, Magnite and the Kiger. In the top-end too, the C3 is only pricier than the Ignis but cheaper than all other rivals on the list. The Nissan Magnite and the Renault Kiger, which get turbo engines, are a substantial Rs 1.43 lakh more expensive than the C3 top-end. The Citroen, therefore, comes across as a good deal with its great ride comfort. However, you may find the other models more tempting if you want a long equipment list from your car.
We have driven the Citroen C3 and you can watch our video or read our review.
Also see:
2022 Citroen C3 walkaround video
Vincent Cobee on building the Citroen brand in India, C3 launch, EVs & more