Surprise from the Subcontinent: 2025 Citroen C3 1.2T Max review

The South African

02-07-2025

From the outside, the 2025 Citroen C3 1.2T Max may appear to walk a well-worn path. Take an affordable hatchback platform, jack it up a few inches, slap on some bigger wheels and plastic cladding, and call it a day. And true to form, the Citroen C3 1.2T Max does all those things. However, there happens to be something rather endearing about how this little car carries itself down a road.
Having spent some time with the French-designed, Indian-built Citroen C3 1.2T Max Auto, I'm reminded of one compact crossover I held in particularly high regard – the Sandero Stepway. Both cars don't pretend to be something they're not. And yet, they deliver a lot more mechanically than most buyers might expect. It doesn't major in French craziness. But maybe that's a good thing in this day and age. Image: Ray Leathern
Unsurprisingly, the new C3's origins tell an interesting story of automotive economics. Built in India for global markets, this approach allows the Stellantis Group to offer European engineering at a competitive price. At R302 900 for the turbocharged Max automatic you see here, subcontinental savings from lower production costs are passed directly to the consumer.
Furthermore, at just over four-metres long and 1.75m wide, the Citroen C3 1.2T Max occupies a certain sweet spot between supermini and compact SUV. Granted, the styling is deliberately ordinary. But there's a pragmatism to its proportions that you soon begin to appreciate. Plus, the roof rails, dual-tone paintwork on the Max, and protective wheelarch cladding provide sufficient SUV flavour. Citroen changed its brand identity and logo back in 2022. This marked the start of more pragmatic, cost-effective cars from the French firm. Image: Citroen
Better still, it's beneath the skin that the Citroen C3 1.2T Max Auto outshines the competition. Just look at the data, its turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine produces a healthy 81 kW and 205 Nm of torque. The drivetrain was plucked from the brilliant C4 Cactus and it deserves particular praise. In an era where most manufacturers saddle their entry-level models with jerky four-speed automatics or uninspiring CVTs, Citroen has fitted a proper six-speed automatic gearbox. This transforms the daily driving experience, with smooth, predictable gearshifts that never leave you hunting for the right gear.
Moreover, the French three pot exhibits a characteristic thrum that's actually quite appealing. 205 Nm of torque available from low revs makes urban driving effortless. And zero to 100 km/h figures around the sub-10-second mark is pretty impressive for this class of vehicle. Furthermore, real-world fuel economy hovers around the 7.4 l/100 km mark when faced with spirited driving. Even though that is a bit thirstier than the 6.3 l/100 km claimed. Most buyers want a standalone touchscreen and pleasant amenities. Boxes ticked for the C3 Max. Image: Ray Leathern
Inside, the 2025 Citroen C3 1.2T Max delivers a surprisingly well-equipped cabin. The infotainment system, while not the most sophisticated, still includes all the connectivity features modern buyers expect. Screen graphics and reverse camera definition are on the basic side, as is the appearance of the digital driving display. However, everything works perfectly well and falls to hand effortlessly, which is not to be underestimated these days.
Space utilisation inside the Citroen C3 1.2T Max is impressive for a car with such a compact footprint. The rear bench seat accommodates two adults without complaint, while the boot offers sufficient capacity for weekly shopping. Better still, because the interior materials won't win any luxury awards, you don't feel bad lowering the rear row and throwing in a couple of surfboards, for example. Inched-up alloy wheels, plastic body cladding and the contrasting roof indicate this is the C3 Max. Image: Ray Leathern
Ultimately, what surprised me most about the 2025 Citroen C3 1.2T Max Auto is its fundamental honesty. This isn't a car trying to convince you of anything. Instead, it's a genuinely competent compact crossover that delivers efficient mobility at a fair price. Granted, it might be down on some of that quirky French charm that defined Citroens of old, but there is engineering integrity here.
As mentioned, the parallels with the Sandero Stepway are unmistakable. And praise for an affordable family ferry doesn't come much higher than that. Both recognise buyers who prioritise practicality and value over flashy, insincere features. There's an elevated driving position and decent interior space because that's what the market demands nowadays. However, most significantly, it's the Citroen C3 1.2T Max Auto's drivetrain that's genuinely impressive for the money. 2025 Citroen C3 1.2T Max Auto
Engine: 1.2-litre, turbo petrol 3-cylinder
1.2-litre, turbo petrol 3-cylinder Power: 81 kW @ 5 500 rpm, 205 Nm @ 1 750 rpm
81 kW @ 5 500 rpm, 205 Nm @ 1 750 rpm Performance: 0-100 km/h 9.5 sec (estimated)
0-100 km/h 9.5 sec (estimated) Economy: 6.3 l/100 km (claimed) / 7.4 l/100 km (tested)
6.3 l/100 km (claimed) / 7.4 l/100 km (tested) Transmission: 6-speed auto
6-speed auto Price: R302 900
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