It’s easily the most distinctive looking out of the all-new jointly-developed subcompact trio
Citroen likes to get people talking with the styling of its cars, and what better way for it to differentiate its own all-new C1 from its Peugeot 108 and Toyota Aygo sister models than by giving it a weird face.
Lover or loathe styling aside, it’s the same basic car as the other two, featuring an improved version of the now familiar 1.0-liter three-cylinder gas engine which makes the same 68 hp it made before, but it does so more efficiently.
There’s also a more powerful engine available for the first time, a 1.2-liter 82 hp unit, but you cannot get it with a diesel any more.
The front fascia of the new C1 bears a heavy resemblance to that of the Nissan Juke, although the French automaker’s own C4 Cactus crossover also adopts a similar styling philosophy.
There’s definitely much more design crammed into such a small package, which is normal by today’s standards but not so much if you were to look at it side by side with the 2005 original.
This goes for both the exterior and interior, with the latter now featuring better plastics and more of them (there is far less exposed metal in the new C1 compared to its predecessor). You now also get a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment – it allows easy access to all major functions (radio, phone, audio player and trip computer).
Citroen has clearly aimed the car at learner drivers as well, as all C1s sold feature standard hill start assist which automatically holds the car steady as you attempt to set off from an incline of more than 3 degrees.