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Citroen's third generation C3 supermini gets a wash 'n brush-up here, with a slightly smarter looks, comfier seats and extra personalisation options. It's still one of the most comfort-orientated small cars you can buy too. Ultimately, there's nothing really revolutionary on offer here, but as a complete and highly personalisable package, it's desirably different.

Market and Model

Pricing is a little higher than it used to be because Citroen no longer offers entry-level 'Touch' trim in our market. That means a price range which now spans the £15,000 to £21,000 bracket. There's a choice of four trim levels - 'Sense', 'Shine', 'C-Series' and 'Shine Plus'. Potential buyers will need to make sure that they leave some budget aside for personalisation. Thanks to changes made to the way that you can specify this revised model, this is now the most customisable supermini in its segment, with the number of visual spec combinations increasing from 36 to 97. This includes fresh body colours and bi-tone choices (incorporating the roof, door mirrors and the rear quarter panel trim), plus new coloured inserts around the fog lights and the Airbump panels, as well as new graphic trims decorating the roof for a more distinctive pavement presentation. There are seven body colours, four 'Colour Packs' and three roof decor options, plus you can now specify bigger 17-inch 'Vector' alloy wheels. Inside, there's now the option of a 'Techwood ambiance' pack with 'lightwood' trim, soft-touch materials and special stitching.

Equipment levels remain pretty generous. Even base 'Sense' trim gets you Airbump panels, LED headlights, a seven-inch capacitive touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, automatic air conditioning, six airbags, lane departure warning, speed sign recognition, coffee break alert and power folding door mirrors. Plus there are some really clever optional touches. Of these, our favourite is the 'ConnectedCAM Citroen' system. Here, you get a forward-facing two-megapixel, GPS-enabled camera mounted in the rear-view mirror. It's there for two reasons; sensibility and fun. The 'sense' bit lies in its capability to record any traffic incidents or accidents, since it activates in an impact and stores the preceding 30 seconds and following 60 seconds. However, there's a fun purpose too, given that the driver can also click a button to safely take exterior photos or videos of the view through the windscreen and then share this content through social networks.

Summary

As superminis go, this improved C3 isn't an orthodox choice, but then that's part of its appeal. In time honoured Citroen fashion, a C3 is just that little bit different, with smart, slightly quirky looks and some fun aesthetic options if you want them. Of course, there'll be lots of people who just won't get what this car is trying to be. After all, there isn't really any need for Crossover cues on supermini. You can probably survive a trip to the supermarket without the protection of Airbump side panels. And will your friends really want 'ConnectedCAM' pictures of your journey to the gym on their Twitter feeds? Probably not. If you're tempted to take this perspective, then you'd probably be better off considering another contender in this class, a supermini that might well be better to drive and more spacious inside than this one. But also a car that might well feel bland and boring after experience with this Citroen.

All of which leaves us.. Well where? From an objective point of view, this C3 isn't the best car in the class. Subjectively, though, you could easily argue that there's nothing in this segment to touch it. It all depends on how you view the automotive world. We think this C3 makes it a brighter place.

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