The Citroën C1 is a small city-car class hatchback, available in either three-door or five-door form. it also has the option of a full-length fabric sunroof, called Airscape. The current model is the second generation, which was launched in 2014.
The C1 is essentially identical to the Peugeot 108 and Toyota Aygo, with the three models developed together and built at the same factory in the Czech Republic. It has been speculated that, when the current model ends production (expected to be in 2021), it will be replaced by an electric model with no petrol-engined version available.
The Citroën C1 has received generally positive reviews from the UK motoring media, although its overall Expert Rating falls a long way short of the class-leading Hyundai i10. It has been praised for its low running costs and overall driving dynamics, but criticised for a lack of refinement compared to newer rivals.
Key specifications
Body style: Small three-door and five-door hatch
Engines: petrol
Price: From £10,520 on-road
Launched: Summer 2014
Last updated: Spring 2019
Replacement due: 2021?
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MEDIA REVIEWS
Reviews, road tests and comparisons from across the UK automotive media

The Car Expert
Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol manual Airscape
“Citroën has undertaken a general programme of improvements, and the C1 is likely to continue to appeal across a wide and particularly young audience.”
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Auto Express
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“It’s got plenty of style and it’s decent to drive, but the Citroën C1 loses out to more practical city car rivals”
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Model reviewed: 1.2-litre petrol manual Furio
Score: 6 / 10
“The Citroën C1 Furio might not be a hot hatch, but it could be worth a look if you want to save a bit of money and still end up with a sporty city car. It looks good, the engine is efficient and fun to use, and the equipment list is pretty good too. However, the C1 is completely outshone in all these respects by the Skoda Citigo.”
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Model reviewed: Airscape convertible range
Score: 6 / 10
“If you do have your heart set on a Citroën C1, we’d opt for the more powerful 81bhp 1.2-litre engine. Economy is affected fractionally, but it’s a small price to pay for the welcome dose of performance.”
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Auto Trader
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“The Citroën C1 is a funky-looking city car that’s easy to drive and has lots of personalisation options that give it plenty of character. There’s a choice of three-door, five-door or convertible, and running costs should be pretty low too.”
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Autocar
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“The Citroën C1 has been usefully updated and shows a decent turn of performance, with economy, but it is surprisingly unrefined against the competition.”
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Car
Model reviewed: 1.2-litre petrol manual Feel
Score: 6 / 10
“The Citroën C1 is a cheeky, fun and efficient city car that has few foibles. While not exactly a bargain, it’s competitively priced, is fun to punt around city centres and has plenty of visual drama with an exterior that’s better finished than the VW Up!”
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Car Keys
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“The Citroën C1 is a fun city car that is definitely suited to that environment, but can struggle when asked to go further afield. It may not be the most refined or the largest city car around, but the C1 does the job well – so is well worth considering.”
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Carbuyer
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7.2 / 10
“The Citroen C1 is a stylish city car with plenty of kit and personalisation options, but it’s not quite class-leading”
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Carwow
Model reviewed: C1 Airscape range
Score: 6 / 10
“The Citroën C1 Airscape proves that you don’t need to spend much to get the wind-in-your-hair feel. However, just about any alternative has more interior space and pokier engines.”
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“The Citroën C1 is a fun and funky little city car, but some of the alternatives feel more grown up and higher in quality.”
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Evo
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 5 / 10
“There are three- and five-door body styles and even a pseudo-cabriolet model to choose from. However, the city car segment is a full one and the Citroën C1 has to compete with best-in-class alternatives from Hyundai and the Volkswagen Group. It’s just not refined or enjoyable enough to do that convincingly.”
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Honest John
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Overall the Citroën C1 is a good quality small hatchback that builds on the qualities of the original model but with some much-needed improvements in quality and refinement. It’s cheap to run and feels solidly built. There are some dated elements inside, but it still has plenty of appeal helped by good equipment levels across the range.”
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Motors.co.uk
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“One of the Citroën C1’s key selling points has always been its low price. Unfortunately, while this low entry price may get you a car with a funky and eye-catching exterior, the interior is something of a let-down.”
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Parkers
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“Cheap to buy and run and easy to drive”
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The Telegraph
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“The Citroën C1 is cheap to buy and run, plus there are enough big-car luxuries to keep you entertained. However, the Hyundai i10 offers you a lot more space for similar money, while the VW Up is classier inside and better to drive.”
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Top Gear
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“Fun to drive, fun to operate and cheap to run. Other city cars are cleverer, but it’s still competitive”
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What Car?
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“Decent, but lags behind the class leaders in too many key areas to be a class leader”
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Which?
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6.4 / 10
“The 1.2-litre engine feels much livelier than the 1.0, and the manual version is much better all-round than the automatic. Push for a decent discount at your local dealer.”
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SAFETY RATING
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall rating: 4 stars
Date tested: September 2015
Eco rating
Independent emissions and efficiency ratings from Green NCAP
The Citroën C1 has not yet been lab tested by Green NCAP. Check back soon.
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