Citroën, the renowned French automobile manufacturer, continues to expand its presence in the Indian market with the launch of the all-new Citroën C3X. A bold move that blends the practicality of a sedan, the muscularity of an SUV, and the compact footprint of a hatchback, the C3X is an exciting new contender in the sub-10 lakh segment. The vehicle arrives with an updated design, premium features, and multiple powertrain options, positioning itself as an all-rounder for urban and semi-urban Indian consumers.
Here’s a complete breakdown of what the Citroën C3X brings to the table—its pricing, features, engine options, variants, and how it compares to its closest rivals in the Indian automotive market.
A New Breed: What Is the Citroën C3X?
The Citroën C3X is a unique vehicle that fuses three body styles into one. It takes the silhouette of a sedan, the ground clearance and stance of an SUV, and the dimensions of a hatchback. This crossover body style is designed to meet the evolving needs of Indian car buyers who are looking for comfort, style, versatility, and affordability in one package.
While Citroën already has the C3 hatchback and C3 Aircross in India, the C3X is a more premium and feature-rich addition. It’s positioned as an entry into the sedan-crossover space, which is still relatively untapped in the country.
Citroën C3X: Pricing and Variants
One of the strongest selling points of the Citroën C3X is its aggressive pricing. The vehicle is available in multiple variants, catering to both budget-conscious buyers and those seeking premium features.
Ex-Showroom Price Range (India):
- Base variant (Live) – ₹5.25 lakh
- Mid variant (Feel) – ₹6.50 lakh to ₹7.90 lakh
- Top variant (Shine Turbo) – ₹9.11 lakh to ₹9.89 lakh
The automatic transmission is available only in the top-tier Shine Turbo variant, making it a great option for urban buyers seeking ease of driving without compromising on performance.
Engine Options and Performance
The Citroën C3X is available with two petrol engine options:
1.2L Naturally Aspirated Petrol (PureTech 82)
- Power: 82 PS
- Torque: 115 Nm
- Transmission: 5-speed manual
- Fuel Efficiency: Around 19.3 km/l (claimed)
1.2L Turbocharged Petrol (PureTech 110)
- Power: 110 PS
- Torque: 190 Nm
- Transmission: 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic
- Fuel Efficiency: Approximately 19.3 km/l (manual)
These engines offer a balance of fuel efficiency and peppy performance. The turbocharged variant, in particular, is tuned to deliver responsive acceleration and highway performance, with a claimed 0–100 km/h time of under 10 seconds.
Key Features of the Citroën C3X
Citroën has made a conscious effort to load the C3X with a range of modern features that appeal to tech-savvy and comfort-seeking buyers. The 2025 model brings in 15 new features that were missing in the earlier C3 lineup.
Exterior Features:
- LED projector headlamps with integrated DRLs
- LED fog lamps
- 16-inch alloy wheels
- Sporty dual-tone color options
- Body cladding and roof rails for SUV styling
- Shark-fin antenna
- Chrome-finished front grille
Interior Features:
- Leatherette-wrapped dashboard panel
- Automatic climate control (tropicalized for Indian conditions)
- Leatherette upholstery (in higher trims)
- Rear AC vents
- Rear USB Type-C fast charging ports
- Height-adjustable driver seat
- 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
- Steering-mounted audio controls
- Digital instrument cluster
Convenience and Comfort:
- Keyless entry and push-button start (Proxi-Sense™ system)
- Electrically adjustable ORVMs
- Cruise control with speed limiter
- Power windows with auto down
- Tilt-adjustable steering wheel
- Boot space over 400 litres
The cabin is spacious and well-thought-out, with a flat rear floor for better legroom and a 2,540 mm wheelbase, making it ideal for family use.
Safety Features
Citroën has equipped the C3X with a comprehensive safety package, especially in the higher variants:
- Six airbags (driver, passenger, front sides, curtain)
- Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
- Hill Hold Assist
- ABS with EBD
- ISOFIX child seat mounts
- Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
- Rear parking sensors
- 360-degree surround view camera with multiple angles
- Auto-dimming inside rearview mirror
- Rearview camera with dynamic guidelines
- Perimetric anti-theft alarm system
The structure has been built to meet global safety standards, and the suspension is tuned for Indian roads, enhancing safety through stability.
Ride and Handling: “Flying Carpet” Feel
Citroën has long been praised for its suspension tuning, and the C3X is no exception. It features the brand’s Advanced Comfort Suspension system, which is engineered to absorb potholes and undulations with ease.
With 180 mm of ground clearance, the C3X feels confident on rough roads and speed breakers. Despite the SUV-like clearance, the vehicle maintains a low center of gravity, providing sedan-like handling in corners and on highways.
Design and Styling
The C3X carries a distinctive design language. It combines Citroën’s global styling cues with Indian-specific adaptations. The front fascia features the iconic Citroën double chevron grille, flanked by sleek LED lights. The sculpted hood, muscular bumpers, and bold character lines give it a youthful and dynamic appeal.
The fastback-style sloping roofline merges into a compact boot, giving it a coupe-like rear stance, while the cladding and raised ride height add SUV ruggedness. It’s a car that blurs traditional boundaries, targeting buyers across age groups.
Variants Breakdown
Live Variant (Base)
- 1.2L NA engine
- Manual transmission
- Basic infotainment with USB
- Dual airbags
- Rear parking sensors
Feel Variant
- 10.25-inch touchscreen
- Wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay
- Remote locking
- LED DRLs and fog lamps
- Rear power windows
- Option for turbo engine
Shine Turbo Manual
- 16-inch alloys
- Cruise control
- Push start
- Rear camera
- Leatherette finishes
- Advanced safety features
Shine Turbo Automatic
- Same as above with 6-speed torque converter AT
- 360-degree camera
- Electronic Stability Program
- Hill Hold Assist
Comparison With Rivals
Let’s compare the Citroën C3X with key competitors in the ₹6–10 lakh segment.
| Feature / Model | Citroën C3X | Hyundai Aura | Tata Tigor | Maruti Dzire | Honda Amaze |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price (₹) | ₹5.25 lakh | ₹6.49 lakh | ₹6.30 lakh | ₹6.51 lakh | ₹7.10 lakh |
| Top Variant Price (₹) | ₹9.89 lakh | ₹9.05 lakh | ₹9.01 lakh | ₹9.39 lakh | ₹9.80 lakh |
| Engine Options | NA + Turbo Petrol | Petrol + CNG | Petrol + CNG | Petrol + CNG | Petrol only |
| Automatic Transmission | Yes (6AT) | Yes (AMT) | Yes (AMT) | Yes (AMT) | Yes (CVT) |
| Ground Clearance | 180 mm | 165 mm | 170 mm | 160 mm | 165 mm |
| Unique Features | 360 cam, cruise ctrl | Projector HL | Digital dash | Auto climate | Paddle shifters |
Verdict: The C3X offers the best ground clearance and arguably the most SUV-inspired design in its class. It also brings features like a 360-degree camera and Proxi-Sense keyless entry, which are rare in this segment
Ideal Buyer Profile
The Citroën C3X is best suited for:
- Urban families looking for a spacious, stylish, and fuel-efficient vehicle
- Young professionals seeking a premium-looking car with advanced features
- Frequent travelers who drive across varied road conditions