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

BMW i8 (2014-2020) review – futuristic hybrid sports car now looks a bargain
BMW i8 review
In-depth reviews

BMW i8 (2014-2020) review – futuristic hybrid sports car now looks a bargain

The BMW i8 was a very different sort of 911 rival, not least because it used a hybrid system with a Mini engine mounted in the middle and a carbon tub
9 Sep 2026
Lotus Esprit (1976-1987) review – from James Bond's icon to the Esprit Turbo
Lotus Esprit Turbo
In-depth reviews

Lotus Esprit (1976-1987) review – from James Bond's icon to the Esprit Turbo

The delicate but delicious Esprit was a supercar like no other. Here's everything you need to know and our drive of the Esprit Turbo
7 Sep 2026
The incoming BMW 3-series M350 will come with a straight-six and M3 power
2027 BMW 3 series testing
News

The incoming BMW 3-series M350 will come with a straight-six and M3 power

We all know the BMW 3-series is going electric with the new i3, but the combustion-powered model certainly hasn’t been forgotten… 
8 Sep 2026