Citroën’s New C3: Cheap, Boxy and Unapologetically Sustainable

Citroën is once again making the case that cheap doesn’t have to mean ugly or stupid. The new C3 aims to channel the spirit of the Öli concept car—the one that caused a stir at trade shows in 2022, though at the time it felt more like a design department in-joke than the blueprint for a production model.

Where the new C3 stands out is precisely in the areas most competitors have abandoned: vertical lines, clean surfaces, and unapologetically visible angles. The brand’s new oval logo, clearly a nod to Öli, now sits discreetly between glossy black grilles in an attempt to revive Citroën’s lost personality. The result is something that might be called robust—if that word hadn’t already been emptied of meaning by automotive marketing.

The lighting setup is at least bold: a three-tiered LED arrangement with a horizontal middle strip and two vertical “blades” that call to mind a futuristic fan. This visual motif is not just for show, says Citroën—it supposedly improves visibility and safety, though independent data is lacking. The same design language is now being grafted onto the C4, C4 X, and the upcoming C5 Aircross.

Inside, you’ll find the so-called C-Zen Lounge—another wordplay concealing a spartan, horizontal dashboard with a Smartband projector and the option to use your own device as the infotainment hub. The simplicity isn’t hidden; it’s the whole point: “produce less, provide enough.” It’s a philosophy that feels more honest than most electric car pitches, which often end in a 2.5-ton SUV.

That same restraint extends to the materials: recycled and recyclable components, lower weight, and a guiding principle of no more than necessary. This isn’t marketing alchemy but a rare form of sincerity in a market where “green” usually just means a new paint option on the price list.

The new C3 starts at €15,940, putting it in the same bracket as the cheapest electric cars. It’s not visually elegant, but it doesn’t need to be—not for those who value function over Instagram profile appeal.

Citroën has built a car that reminds us a vehicle doesn’t have to be a rolling smart device or a branded charging mat. Sometimes it’s enough that it moves, costs little, and doesn’t hit the planet like a hammer to the head.