Experience it, make it yours and live to tell the tale.

By: Charles Molefe

My experiences with the Stellantis group products have been nothing short of extraordinary; yes, some stand out a lot more than others, but the general consensus is that the group is steadily rising to dominance; the European markets are a good indicator of the status quo.

Unfortunately, South African consumers are adamant about sticking with their tried-and-true options. Nonetheless, I believe Stellantis is gradually clawing back at the various segments with their diverse offerings. The quirky, funky, and unapologetic Citroen C3 Aircross was my most recent Stellantis experience.

Aesthetic

The Aircross has truly challenged the design status quo, and Citroen’s courage has been lauded by many consumers and journalists alike. However, some may find it difficult to adapt to its unconventional, yet futuristic image. I’m glad, moreover, that a car is judged not just on its aesthetic value or absence thereof, but rather on its cumulative attributes. Consumers who are particularly worried with aesthetic appeal, kindly offer me a few minutes to probe what I believe to be a product that may intrigue your curiosity.

Technology

The interior is jam-packed with technology; Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are just a taste of what’s to come. Bluetooth integration is seamless, as is navigation through the plethora of available menus. The 7-inch display can control features such as automatic climate control, which includes air conditioning, radio, telephony, and satellite navigation controls. You still get shortcut keys to help you manage the various menus. To augment the product offering, the Aircross comprises six speakers that fill the cabin comparatively well.

Utility and Space

The adequate storage spaces and bins are easily accessible, and to be frank, the last time I experienced a vehicle with such utility, it happened to come lugging a six-figure price tag. Citroen claims a boot capacity of 410 litres, which itself is close to class leading if I’m not mistaken, with only the Peugeot 2008 being more accommodating.

Performance.

The Aircross is powered by a 1.2L motor that produces 81kW and 205Nm of torque and is paired up to a smooth 6-speed automatic gearbox that shifts through the gears without theatrics. The Aircross rides smoothly on most road surfaces and accomplishes commendably on highways. In-gear acceleration is adequate, and the torque is appreciated on inclines as well as during overtaking manoeuvres.

Sprint times to 100km/h have lost their significance in this segment, and if you’re going to look for a performance car in this segment, you’re presumably misguided. The Aircross, on the other hand, did manage to carry its mass well, as evidenced by the consumption figures I obtained. Citroen claims a combined cycle of 6.5l/100km, something that I actually achieved; keep in mind, that my drives include a lot of highway driving and maybe a little urban cruise to determine the best photo locations.

Summary

Citroen has gone above and beyond to guarantee that its product support is dependable and convenient for clients. During my testing period, I was again involved in discussions about French car’s reliability myths. In all of my experiences, I never had a problem with French products; my travels have been explorative and, for the most part, memorable.

I suspect my limited experience with the Aircross doesn’t really bode well for contemplating it a must-have in my dream car garage, but one thing seems certain. This vehicle is undoubtedly superior to others. The space, the mild performance, and the frugal nature of the Aircross fulfills all requirements, and in this day and age of exorbitant petrol prices, I find it extremely difficult to ignore this vehicle as a fine specimen that can transport people around in comfort, quench the technologically inclined, and manage to skip a couple of fuel stations on a long journey.

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