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

Cupra Leon VZ review – Spain’s Golf GTI is better than Germany’s
Cupra Leon
In-depth reviews

Cupra Leon VZ review – Spain’s Golf GTI is better than Germany’s

The choice of full-sized front-drive hot hatches now doesn’t include the Civic Type R. Can the Cupra Leon VZ take the top spot?
25 Aug 2026
Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio Luna Rossa review – a yacht-inspired saloon for Ferrari-inspired money
Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio Luna Rossa
Reviews

Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio Luna Rossa review – a yacht-inspired saloon for Ferrari-inspired money

Many of the styling touches are in dubious taste, and the estimated £250k asking price for this special edition is faintly absurd, but any chance to r…
26 Aug 2026
Aston Martin Vantage ‘RS’ spied – Britain’s answer to the 911 GT3 inbound
Aston Martin Vantage 'RS'
News

Aston Martin Vantage ‘RS’ spied – Britain’s answer to the 911 GT3 inbound

Aston Martin’s most hardcore Vantage variant yet is inbound, with more power expected and a manual gearbox possible
26 Aug 2026