Skip advert
Advertisement

Citroen C1 review - does French hatch offer the thrill of city driving? - Design

Good value city car, but unrefined on the road

Evo rating
RRP
from £8,345
  • Efficient, easy to park, well-equipped and good value
  • Poor body control, coarse manners, better rivals

Only the front of the Citroen C1 really differentiates it from the platform-sharing Peugeot 108 and not everyone will like the 'furrowed brow' appearance. At least the standard LED daytime running lamps give it an upmarket look, though front-on the C1 appears distinctly tall and narrow.

The side view is more conventional, though look closer at the five-door version and you'll notice pop-out rear windows. The C1 isn't the only car in its class to feature these in lieu of proper sliding glass, but it does cheapen it. In contrast, the glass rear hatch, though presumably used to save money, gives the rear of the C1 a distinctive appearance. The Airscape roof adds to that, as does the option of bright contrast colours.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

How to rediscover the love for cars? Get out there and buy an affordable classic
Subaru Impreza RB5
Opinion

How to rediscover the love for cars? Get out there and buy an affordable classic

It took our Eras tests to top up Richard Meaden’s love for cars. It also stoked the urge to buy an S1 Elise
5 Jun 2026
The McLaren supercar you’ve never heard of, born to save the company – car pictures of the week
McLaren MSO 688 HS front
Features

The McLaren supercar you’ve never heard of, born to save the company – car pictures of the week

One of McLaren’s rarest cars was also charged with keeping the lights on in Woking
6 Jun 2026
Morgan’s first coupe in over a decade is coming but it’s going to be very rare, and expensive
Morgan coupe coachbuild teaser
News

Morgan’s first coupe in over a decade is coming but it’s going to be very rare, and expensive

Morgan is teasing its next coachbuilds and they’re going to have fixed-roof coupes
4 Jun 2026