Citroen C3 Aircross You vs Maruti Grand Vitara Sigma: Most Affordable Compact SUVs Compared
Published On Sep 26, 2023 08:00 AM By Rohit for Citroen Aircross
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The Citroen C3 Aircross is now the most affordable compact SUV, but how does it compare with the next most affordable segment rival - the Maruti Grand Vitara Sigma
The latest entry to the compact SUV segment is the Citroen C3 Aircross. It is also the most affordable option in the space with an introductory pricing for the base-variant set at Rs 9.99 lakh (ex-showroom). It is also the only model in its segment to offer an option to choose from either a 5- or 7-seat layout, with the third row being removable in the latter. That said, the base-spec You variant is only available as a 5-seater.
Before the arrival of the C3 Aircross, your most affordable compact SUV option was the base variant of the Maruti Grand Vitara, priced at Rs 10.70 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). So let’s take a deep dive to see what the French SUV gets and misses out on while being more affordable by Rs 71,000 than the Maruti SUV:
Which One’s Bigger?
| Parameter |
Citroen C3 Aircross |
Maruti Grand Vitara |
Difference |
| Length |
4323mm |
4345mm |
(22mm) |
| Width |
1796mm (without ORVMs) |
1795mm |
+1mm |
| Height |
1665mm |
1645mm |
+20mm |
| Wheelbase |
2671mm |
2600mm |
+71mm |
| Wheel size |
17-inch wheels |
17-inch wheels |
– |
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Apart from its length, the C3 Aircross is bigger on every other parameter than the Maruti Grand Vitara.
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The extra height and wheelbase only goes on to show its ability of being a 3-row option in a segment full of 5-seater SUVs.
Performance Compared
| Specification |
Citroen C3 Aircross |
Maruti Grand Vitara |
| Engine |
1.2-litre turbo-petrol |
1.5-litre petrol |
| Power |
110PS |
103PS |
| Torque |
190Nm |
137Nm |
| Transmission |
6-speed MT |
5-speed MT |
| Claimed FE |
18.5kmpl |
21.11kmpl |
| Drivetrain |
FWD |
FWD |
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The Citroen SUV is offered with only one engine-gearbox option, while the Maruti Grand Vitara gets both mild- and strong-hybrid powertrains.
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For performance, the C3 Aircross beats the Grand Vitara but falls behind in terms of fuel efficiency where the latter gets the benefit of the intelligent starter motor.
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As the only engine available, this aspect of the Citroen SUV does not change across variants. However, the Maruti Grand Vitara gets the choice of an all-wheel drivetrain (AWD) option on the top-spec Alpha variant with the manual gearbox.
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Maruti also offers the option of a 116PS 1.5-litre strong-hybrid setup on the Grand Vitara which has a claimed fuel economy of 27.97kmpl.
Also Check Out: Citroen C3 Aircross Variants In Images: You, Plus, And Max
What Do Each Of Them Pack?
| Feature Highlights |
Citroen C3 Aircross You |
Maruti Grand Vitara Sigma |
| Exterior |
Body coloured bumpers and outside door handles, black ORVMs with turn indicators, steel wheels with full covers, and halogen headlights |
Body coloured bumpers and door handles, halogen projector headlights with LED DRLs, LED taillights, ORVMs with turn indicators, and steel wheels with full covers |
| Interior |
Black and grey cabin theme, 2-tone fabric upholstery, black inside door handles, fixed headrests for all passengers, and flat-folding second row seats |
2-tone cabin theme, chrome inside door handles, front sliding armrest, rear centre armrest with cupholders, 2-tone fabric seats, 60:40 split folding rear seats, and adjustable headrests for all passengers |
| Comfort and Convenience |
Manual AC, all four power windows with 1-touch down, keyless entry, day-night IRVM, 7-inch digital driver’s display, tilt steering, and steering-mounted controls for driver’s display, power adjustable ORVMs |
Tilt and telescopic steering wheel, keyless entry, steering-mounted audio controls, push-button start/stop, auto AC with rear vents, height-adjustable driver seat, all four power windows, and powered ORVMs (fold and adjust) |
| Infotainment |
N.A. |
N.A. |
| Safety |
Dual front airbags, electronic stability programme (ESP), tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), hill-hold assist, and rear parking sensors |
Dual front airbags, ESP, hill-hold assist, 3-point seatbelts for all passengers, ISOFIX child seat anchorages, and rear parking sensors |
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While the base variants of both the SUVs are almost neck and neck in terms of exterior and interior features, the Maruti Grand Vitara Sigma does go a step further for its extra price. It gets equipment such as LED DRLs, LED taillights, front and rear armrests, and adjustable headrests over the Citroen C3 Aircross.
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Even in terms of comfort and convenience features, it’s the Maruti SUV which takes the lead with additional amenities like auto AC, electrically folding ORVMs, and height-adjustable driver seat. The only useful benefit that the C3 Aircross has over the Grand Vitara’s Sigma is the provision of a 7-inch digital driver’s display.
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Neither base variant model offers any infotainment system.
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Common safety features between the base-spec variants of the two SUVs include dual front airbags, ESP, and hill-hold assist. That said, while the C3 Aircross has the TPMS over the Grand Vitara, the latter does offer the advantage of 3-point seatbelts and ISOFIX child seat anchorages.
Verdict
With the C3 Aircross, Citroen is promising to offer a spacious family SUV, though relatively bare on comforts, with a peppy engine from the affordable entry price of Rs 9.99 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).
When compared to its closely priced competitor, the Maruti Grand Vitara is offering a better overall package for the premium with added conveniences and comforts. It also has multiple powertrain options, higher mileage, and a more robust equipment list as you climb up the price ladder.
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Read More on : C3 Aircross on road price
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