Citroen C3 Facelift – More Features, Bigger Tank, and Unbeatable Value

As entry level cars go, the Citroen C3 Facelift stands out a bit here in India’s competitive hatchback sector — a place of feature frenzy and sheer affordability — for some time now since its 2022 arrival with its quirky blend of French flair and SUV-chic sizzle at dirt-cheap pricing. For the 2025 model year, Citroen have now unveiled a tasteful and clever facelift, or so-called “New C3”, without having to perform grand redesign with decent enhancements such as a larger fuel tank, improved safety tech and a new Dark Edition. 

Introduced in stages through 2025 — with the first iteration, the C3X version arriving in August — this phase aligns with Citroen’s “2.0 – Shift Into the New” programme and seeks to raise volumes while sales dwindle (they’re sub-1000 units per month). 

The facelifted C3 – priced from a competitive ₹5.25 lakh ex-showroom – is squarely aimed at budget conscious urbanites considering the likes of the Maruti Swift and Tata Altroz, with superior comforts and an E20-compliant engine lineup for added green points. As deliveries kick off in September 2025, here’s a deep dive into what makes this refresh a smart pivot.

Design Evolution: Familiar Flair with Subtle Polish

The 2025 Citroen C3 Facelift stays true to its crossover-esque silhouette—no major sheetmetal changes here, preserving the 3,985 mm length, 1,735 mm width, and 160 mm ground clearance that give it a mini-SUV vibe in a hatchback body. 

Up front, the Y-shaped LED DRLs and split-grille remain, but new Blu Editions (launched in July) add metallic blue accents for a premium pop. The Dark Edition, introduced in April, goes stealthy with Perla Nera black paint, dark chrome trim, and red-stitched leatherette seats—exclusively on Shine trims for that aggressive after-dark appeal.

Side and rear profiles are unchanged, rolling on 15- or 16-inch alloys, but the bigger 45-liter fuel tank (up from 30 liters) subtly reshapes the underbody for better range without altering boot space (315 liters, expandable to 1,000). Available in nine colors including the new Polar White and Steel Grey, the facelift emphasizes personalization via optional decals and alloys. It’s not revolutionary, but in a market obsessed with facias, Citroen’s restraint keeps the C3’s whimsical charm intact.

Powertrain Punch: Efficient Engines with E20 Compliance

Under the hood, the facelift carries over the proven 1.2-liter three-cylinder petrol lineup, now E20-ready for biofuel compatibility and minor efficiency tweaks. The naturally aspirated unit delivers 82 PS and 115 Nm, paired with a five-speed manual for peppy city runs and claimed 19-22 kmpl ARAI mileage. For more grunt, the turbo-petrol variant ups to 110 PS and 190 Nm, available with a six-speed manual or torque-converter automatic, hitting 18-20 kmpl while enabling 0-100 km/h in under 10 seconds.

No diesel or hybrid here yet, but the enlarged tank pushes real-world range to 800+ km— a boon for highway hauls. CNG options return on select NA variants post-August, with kit fitment at ₹93,000 for eco-commuters. Ride quality shines via Citroen’s Progressive Hydraulic Cushions, absorbing potholes better than most rivals, though the soft setup can feel wallowy at high speeds.

Interior and Tech: 15 New Features for Everyday Elevation

The cabin refresh is where the facelift flexes: 15 upgrades across the C3X range (launched August 12), including a segment-first Cruise Control with Speed Limiter on Shine trims for relaxed drives. The 10-inch touchscreen persists with wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay, but adds gesture controls and MyCitroen Connect for remote AC preheat. The C3X introduces Proxi-Sense keyless entry (PEPS), auto-dimming IRVM, and ambient lighting with footwell illumination.

Seating for five gets adjustable headrests on front seats (new in Feel O variant), rear AC vents, and soft-touch leather on the dash in higher trims. The Dark Edition amps luxury with red stitching and illuminated sills. Boot practicality holds steady, but the bigger tank means less intrusion. Overall, it’s a leap from the base model’s austerity, rivaling the i20’s tech without the premium tag.

Safety Suite: Bolstered Protection with Optional Halo Tech

Safety gets a nudge forward: Standard dual airbags across variants, ABS with EBD, ESP, hill-hold, and rear parking sensors. The facelift adds turn indicators on ORVMs (from Feel O) and ISOFIX anchors. Top Shine trims now offer the optional HALO 360-degree camera with seven views for ₹25,000— a rarity in sub-₹10 lakh hatches—plus tyre pressure monitoring.

No ADAS yet, but the five-star potential from its platform (shared with C3 Aircross) shines in urban tests. Citroen’s focus on “Citroen Advanced Comfort” prioritizes crash absorption over gadgets, earning nods for family-friendly fortitude.

Pricing and Variants: Aggressive Entry with Dark Allure

The Citroen C3 Facelift slashes entry pricing to ₹5.25 lakh ex-showroom (post-August revisions), undercutting the Swift by ₹50k while topping at ₹9.89 lakh for the Turbo AT Shine. The Dark Edition adds ₹1-1.5 lakh premium for style seekers. On-road in Delhi? Base at ₹6 lakh, top at ₹11.5 lakh. Bookings opened mid-August, with deliveries from September 1—perfect for festive buys.

Warranty: 3 years/1 lakh km standard, extendable to 5 years.

Rivals Face-Off: C3 Facelift vs. Segment Stars

The Citroen C3 Facelift undercuts the Hyundai i20 (₹7-11 lakh) on price and space but trails in refinement. Against the Maruti Fronx (₹7.5-13 lakh), it matches crossover vibes with better ride comfort; the Tata Altroz (₹6.5-11 lakh) edges on safety (5-star NCAP). The facelift’s value play—features at Swift money—could steal share from the segment leader.

Why the 2025 C3 Facelift Wins Hearts (and Wallets)?

Citroen C3 Facelift isn’t flashy— no turbo-hybrid or sunroof overload—but it smartly addresses pain points like range anxiety and feature parity, all while keeping prices wallet-friendly. In a hatch market shrinking under SUV pressure (down 10% YoY), the C3’s elevated X-series and Dark Edition inject personality, potentially doubling sales to 2,000 units monthly. Head to citroen.in for bookings; with E20 readiness and that legendary Citroen softness, this could be the everyday hero India’s roads crave.