Citroen C1 1.0i VT 5dr Car Review - February 2012

The C1 1.0i VT gives a comfortable ride, thanks to a good engine, responsive chassis, good handling and average grip. The car will only struggle in potholed roads. Conversely, smooth city streets will be a breeze. On the motorway the C1 will keep up well thanks to its five-speed gearbox.

Powered by a small, 3-cylinder, 12v 1.0-litre 998cc petrol engine, the Citroen C1 is a surprisingly good performer. It attains its maximum power of 68bhp at 6000rpm and has torque figures of 69lb-ft at 3600rpm. Its top speed of 98mph reflects the class average and is suitable for city driving. A 0-62mph time of 13.7 seconds means it can pick up enough speed to match city traffic.

The engine is noisy at high speeds and will be irritating on long drives. Wind and road noises infiltrate the cabin but are tolerable.

Rear and forward visibility is excellent, thanks to the large front windows, and tiny rear pillars.

Comfort while driving will largely depend on your height. The driver’s seat has no height adjustment and the steering wheel adjusts vertically only, thus limiting your control over the driving position.

The C1 1.0i VT 5dr is a cute, 5-door 4-seat hatchback. It has a well-defined outline, sharp features and smooth finishing. The interior is equally well-designed and built.

Equipment is basic, and this is the only area where the C1 loses a high number of points. It comes with driver and passenger airbags, power steering, immobilizer, CD player and MP3 connectivity only.

Only metallic paint is available as a cost option, for £420. All other features that you would expect in a car such as Sat Nav, cruise control, climate control, air conditioning and rear parking sensors, are only available in higher trims.

The Citroen C1 1.0i VT 5dr scored a 4-star rating in the Euro NCAP occupant and child safety. It scored a 2-star rating in pedestrian safety. Although it lacks sophisticated safety features such as central locking and electronic stability control which are standard in more expensive cars, its strong build and good engineering ensure adequate protection in the event of a crash or collision. This is part of the reason why the car is placed under insurance group 2. Fortunately, Citroen’s reliability record has improved in recent years. This helps in creating a positive image for this car.

With its compact exterior, the car will be at home on narrow city streets. It is also easy to park and fits into tiny spaces well.

Five doors make it easy to get in and out of the C1. The cabin is spacious and can comfortably seat four adults. But there is a trade-off: no luggage. The boot is painfully small and manages to offer only 139 litres of space, increasing to 751 litres with the seats down, which is still lower than the class average.

The Citroen C1 1.0i VT 5dr is a cheap car, with a new model going for just £9,045. It comes with a 3 year warranty up to 60,000 miles and a service interval every 10,000 miles. Dealer offers are attractive and you are likely to get a good discount off the selling price if you negotiate.

The car has low running costs and will return 62.7mpg, which is good for a town car.

The C1 1.0i VT 5dr has a low carbon footprint. There are rivals with lower emissions, such as the Volkswagen Up! with 96g/km; but at 103g/km, the C1 is not far behind. The C1 1.0i VT 5dr is in VED group B, incurring £20 road tax.

Unfortunately, it has a high depreciation rate. If residual value matters to you, the rival Toyota Aygo is a better choice.