Citroën C1

The C1 is (and always has been) built with the Peugeot 108 (formerly 107) and Toyota Aygo. It has faced more recent competition from the Volkswagen up!, Škoda Citigo and SEAT Mii (which, by coincidence, are a trio of cars built together. Sound familiar?)

There are 3 trim levels - entry-level Touch, mid-range Feel and top-of-the-range Flair. There are also C1 Airscape Feel and C1 Airscape Flair models which have a fabric retractable roof. That's something that the up! trio doesn't have! Though just like its rivals, it is offered in a 3-door and 5-door guise.

Standard equipment is poor, but that's to be expected for a city car.

• When it comes to entry-level Touch models, don't be fooled by Hill Start Assist, LED daytime running lights, front electric windows and a trip computer, because you'll be reminded which trim you're driving when you lose a 14-inch 'Star' wheel trim (that's right, no alloys)! Ok, it does have a USB socket through which you can play your music, but that'll come through the car's only 2 speakers. A very nice touch that I'm pleased to say is included in Touch models is a set of front seats that return to their former position after having been folded in the 3-door models, something that the old C1 lacked. Just when you get excited about one thing, another thing ruins it. The rear seats? Yes, those two. They don't fold down individually! Either carry 4 people or 2 people and lots of luggage.
• If you avoid Touch (which I recommend you do) and go for mid-range Feel, you get air conditioning, a height-adjustable driver's seat, 50:50 split folding rear seats, DAB, 4 speakers, Bluetooth®, steering wheel-mounted controls and a 7-inch Touch Drive Interface Mirror Screen (the infotainment system). A neatly trimmed car, but it still doesn't have alloys!
• Flair, which I'm over the moon to see alloys on the standard kit list, comes with tinted rear windows, electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors, a leather multi-function steering wheel, a rev counter (this should really be standard across all the range!), a speed limiter (for manual transmissions only) and... wait for it... a reversing camera! Wow. I like it, Citroën.

You'll certainly enjoy browsing through the C1's options list, giving it the kit that it deserves. Take a look at the options below.

• The £250 Serenity Pack adds a speed limiter and reversing camera for the models that don't already have it.
• For £300, the Automatic Pack brings luxuries such as automatic air conditioning, automatic headlights and electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors.
• The Automatic Pack Plus is £270 more expensive than the standard Automatic Pack and adds keyless entry and start.
• For £100, the Sunrise Red Interior Colour Pack is more aesthetic than functional and finishes the centre console and air vent and gear knob surrounds in Sunrise Red, whilst the lower dashboard is black.
• The White Interior Colour Pack is the same price and serves the same purpose (no prizes for guessing the colour's White, not Sunrise Red!). It also adds a leather steering wheel and gear knob.
• The £130 Urban Pack is said to appeal at younger markets with its chrome door mirrors. It adds to the White Interior Colour Pack (in other words, it has everything that that pack does plus the chrome mirrors).
• If you just want chrome doors mirrors and door handles, no worries! Pay £100 for the Chrome Pack.
• If you really want to sent your C1 upmarket, why not add black leather upholstery for £650? I certainly would!
• If  you haven't chosen Flair but want a rev counter, you can add one at £40. For £150 you can specify the reversing camera, which quite frankly is a steal!

Powering the C1 is a choice of 3-cylinder petrol-only engines all with front-wheel-drive. Kicking off the range is the 68 bhp 1.0-litre VTi 68. It can be specified with or without Start&Stop technology and both are available on 3- and 5-door models with a 5-speed manual transmission. The VTi 68 can also be specified with a 5-speed ETG automatic transmission, but only on 5-door models. Goodness knows why!

The second and last engine is the 81 bhp PureTech 82 which uses a 5-speed manual gearbox on both 3- and 5-door models. Every model is said to get upwards of 67 mpg and all emit under 100 g/km of CO2 making them free to tax. The most efficient is the 88 g/km 74.3 mpg VTi 68 S&S.

It's important to note that the C1 only has a 35-litre fuel tank, and although theoretically you should be able to travel up to 572 miles between fills, in reality it'll be a lots less than that, so be careful on long journeys that involve lots of motorway driving.

One you've clambered into the back (which is quite tricky for most people) it's quite comfortable. Headroom is ample and kneeroom is adequate. Behind the rear seats is a 196-litre boot, but fold down those 2 seats and open up a 780-litre loading space.

All models are of equal dimensions so don't hesitate at buying a more practical 5-door C1 because of its size.

Of all the city cars out there, the C1 is probably my favourite. Poor standard equipment on lower levels of trim is to be expected on any car of this genre, but once you throw some money at it the C1 becomes a chic car that'll turn heads more than rivals.

Take a look here at how I would spec my C1 (and yes, I've chosen the Airscape model!), here to learn more about the C1, here to download the C1 brochure or here to see the rest of Citroën's range.