The urban SUV segment is one of your favorites and therefore the competition is particularly fierce since all manufacturers have one or more models in this category. In this game, however, it is the French brands that are doing the best since they dominate the market. Thus, in 2021 and over the first six months of this year, the best-selling urban SUV in France is the Peugeot 2008, just ahead of the Renault Captur and the Citroën C3 Aircross. The latter has just benefited from a major restyling. Will that be enough to climb a place on the podium?
video/x81zd2j"/>
Video comparison – Citroën C3 Aircross (2021) VS Renault Captur: we redo the match
–
–
–
If some restylings go almost unnoticed, this is not the case with that of the C3 Aircross since the entire front part has been redesigned. It abandons its good nature and round shapes for a more assertive, more virile design with a redesigned grille and shield and thinner headlamps. Appeared in 2019, the second generation of Captur takes up Renault’s stylistic codes with C-shaped headlamps and a large grille highlighting the diamond. More mature, more rewarding than the older generation, the Captur has met with great success after two years.
–
Inside, the difference between the Captur and the C3 Aircross is also glaring. The presentation of the Citroën model has changed little with the restyling, apart from the presence of a 9-inch multimedia screen. It is still as original and offbeat as compared to other productions in the category. The Captur, for its part, inherits more classic lines but gives pride of place to technology with digital instrumentation, not available on the C3 Aircross, and a 7-inch multimedia screen as standard which can reach 9.3 inches in a vertical position. As for the perceived quality, we must recognize the efforts made by Renault to its model. The Captur is covered with more neat flexible plastics on the upper part while the C3 Aircross relies on hard and fragile plastics. The feeling of quality is stronger aboard the Captur, however we must recognize the originality of the design of the dashboard of the C3 Aircross.
Practical aspects: Citroën’s intelligence
The C3 Aircross and Captur tick all the right boxes, including both a sliding rear seat, an accessory that is far from being widespread in the segment.
video-citroen-c3-aircross-2021-vs-renault-captur-676115.jpg"/>
video-citroen-c3-aircross-2021-vs-renault-captur-676101.jpg"/>–
Despite smaller dimensions, the Citroën C3 Aircross offers a habitability similar to the Renault Captur with the addition of a sliding rear seat in several parts, more practical to use than that of the Captur in a single block.
Today, an urban SUV must meet the daily demands of a small family. Some models have predispositions in this area and in particular the C3 Aircross with its “volumic” silhouette. Moreover, the chevron SUV is illustrated by its excellent habitability / size ratio. In other words, it offers an excellent living space equivalent to that of the Captur despite its 10 cm less in length.
video-citroen-c3-aircross-2021-vs-renault-captur-676103.jpg"/>
video-citroen-c3-aircross-2021-vs-renault-captur-676196.jpg"/>–
The loading volumes of our two rivals are very similar but the C3 Aircross has a much lower loading threshold than that of the Captur.
The boot volumes are almost equivalent regardless of the configuration chosen (forward, back or folded bench) with an average varying between 410/520 and 1,289 liters against 422/536 and 1,275 liters for the Captur. Both models have a two-level floor, but their loading surface is not completely flat once the rear bench is folded down.
As we mentioned earlier, the two models today stand out from the competition with a very practical sliding rear seat. Be careful, that of the C3 Aircross can be split into two parts while that of the Captur is one-piece and rather heavy to handle. Finally, note that the rear seatbacks of the C3 Aircross are reclining. Passengers of both models will appreciate the ten storage spaces available to them. The final advantage goes to the C3 Aircross.
Equipment: a more techno Captur
The Citroën C3 Aircross Puretech 130 hp in Shine Pack finish, that is to say the top of the range, is sold € 27,200 against € 28,150 for the Renault Captur TCE 140 hp Intens, or an intermediate finish. The chevron model therefore leaves with a significant advantage of nearly € 1,000. Especially since their respective endowments are complete and relatively close. In detail, however, we note that neither of the two offers adaptive cruise control as standard.
It will be necessary to look for it in the options of the Captur at 900 € while it is unavailable on the C3 Aircross. The same is true of the 18-inch rims and 100% digital instrumentation while they are present as standard on the Captur, but the latter must be content with a 7-inch multimedia screen when it is 9 inches on the Citroën and add € 350 to the diamond SUV to acquire the reversing camera.
Budget: a more reasonable Captur
At first glance, the Citroën C3 Aircross seems better placed due to its lower purchase price but that is not enough. Indeed, Citroën’s SUV is penalized by certain shortcomings. Thus, its engine is provided with a timing belt that it is necessary to replace while the TCE is chain. But that’s not all, according to official data, the C3 consumes more (6.2 l / 100 km against 5.5 l), rejects more CO2 (141 g against 135 g / km), which means a greater penalty of 100 € and enjoys lower reliability. These are undeniable advantages for the Captur, especially since the two rivals are on an equal footing regarding the 2-year / unlimited mileage warranty or the resale value.
–
