We travel to the Johannesburg, ‘City of Gold,’ for the official Mzansi introduction of the Citroen C3 MAX Aircross compact SUV… priced significantly lower than the outgoing model!
Early morning flights have never been my favorite, but it later became clear that the 4:30am “annoying” alarm was worth the discomfort. Monte Casino was the point of destination, where we were introduced to the new Citroen C3 MAX Aircross range after an enlightening presentation by the Stellantis team.
Rout-Guide (Check), snack pack (check), and it was time to hit the road. But before we set off, we could not resist to stop and admire how assertive and upmarket this B-segment contender has become. Citroen’s new design direction, embodied by the new C3 AIRCROSS MAX, aims squarely at Mzansi's classy buyer who require space and practicality for children-friendly adventures. The model also serves a stylish package of innovation and safety for young parents. The question is, does it deliver what it promises?
Let’s start with how it looks, the front end benefits from a high bonnet, Y-shaped lighting signature and powerful double grille with lower skid plate to deal with varying road conditions and maximise cooling. The side profile is dominated by the stylish 17inch wheels that come standard whilst the rear benefits from 3D-effect rear tail lamps that enhance the new design. At first glance, the overall Citroen C3 AIRCROSS MAX is quite appealing and eye friendly, which should afford it a sizeable chance within its aggressively contested segment. Customers can choose from four colour options and six eye-catching dual-tone roof combinations that are a must have.
While the exterior looks are definitely promising, the interior did present some ‘not so good’ visuals in terms of the extensive use of plastic and a questionable build quality. However, these are then overshadowed by its roominess for front and rear passengers, including a sizeable boot space. The C3 AIRCROSS MAX is also available in a 5+2 configuration, but then you have to say goodbye to the boot space, and the extra seats are best suited for children due to the lack of legroom space.
Standout features include a 10inch infotainment screen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a reversing camera, 4-USB ports for front and rear passengers and a roof-mounted air-ventilation system for the 5+2 configured model. Newly introduced comfort seats are also available and literally add comfort to the driving experience…we will get to that.
The new C3 AIRCROSS MAX comes with a single engine option, the 81kW/205Nm 1.2litre turbo-petrol engine that drives the front wheels via a standard 6-speed auto transmission. The 100km driving experience gave us a sense of how the AIRCROSS MAX performs under normal daily driving conditions. The 1.2litre turbo delivers decent power on the road but does tends to suffer on overtaking speeds. The AIRCROSS MAX delivered good comfort levels and a stable ride across the different driving conditions, with the thick rubber-wrapped 17inch wheels and comfort seats adding notable improvements to passenger comfort.
Pricing for the new Citroen C3 AIRCROSS MAX models has been aggressively set, starting at R344 900 for the 1.2T 6AT 5-seater, and R354 900 for the 1.2T 6AT 5+2 configured model. This makes it R105 000 cheaper than the model it replaces. We can confirm that the new Citroen C3 AIRCROSS MAX does offers a commendable list of standard equipment for the price and should fare quite well in its segment.
Price Includes:
- 5 Years / 100,000 km Warranty Plan
- 4 Years / 60,000 km Service Plan
- Metallic Paint
- Dual-Tone Roof
Citroën owners are covered by the Stellantis WePledge programme which includes:
- Mobility guarantee for vehicles under warranty with OE parts and technical diagnostic unavailable within 48 hours.
- Security detail dispatched on request for people feeling unsafe in area of breakdown.
- Mobility guarantee for vehicles under warranty awaiting OE Parts and OE Technical Support after 30 days at an approved repairer.
Quality Check Certificate – Provide accident repair quality check certificate to assure manufacture standard.