Citroën C3
Front and side impact rating Pedestrian test rating
Test Scores: Front 13(81%) Side 14(78%) Overall 28 Pedestrian 11(31%)
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Impact Protection
Frontal Impact
Side Impact
Child Restraints
Pedestrian Protection
Model history and details
The C3 turned in a sound all-round performance in Euro NCAP tests. Its body structure survived well and the cabin suffered only minor deformation after the frontal crash. Whats more, the seat belts and airbags worked particularly well together to safeguard front occupants from chest injuries. The C3 also protected them acceptably in the side impact, but the optional head-protecting airbag would have further reduced the risks of injury. However, the child restraints protected only patchily. Protection for pedestrians was better than that given by most other cars in this group.
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Impact Protection
Driver Front Impact Passenger Front Impact Driver Side Impact
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Frontal Impact
The body and airbag restraint systems combined well to provide good levels of protection. The low impact forces recorded for the driver and front passengers chests were particularly welcome. But, as with any small car, it has been difficult in the C3 to provide sufficient knee room to safeguard the driver. In the C3, the steering column remains a hazard, but the knee area has otherwise been cleared of danger. The rear centre safety belt was three-point, which gives far better protection than that of a lap-only belt.
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Side Impact
The C3 gave acceptable protection. However, the back of the drivers head hit the door pillar. His chest came into contact with the wing of the seat and the airbag, while his abdomen struck the door panel below the armrest.
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Child Restraint
The C3 has an on/off switch for the passenger frontal airbag for when a rear-facing restraint is placed opposite it. A pictogram and text label on the passengers end of the fascia explained how to use it, but did too little to warn parents against placing a child rear-facing opposite an active airbag. For the tests, The 3-year-old was placed in a forward-facing restraint while the 18-month-old was in the same type of restraint, rear-facing. Unfortunately, the 3-year-olds head was not well protected in any of the tests, but the 18-month-old was protected in both.
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Pedestrian Protection
Citroën has made attempts with the C3 to protect pedestrians. The cushioning given by its windscreen helped towards its two stars.
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Model history and safety equipment
The C3 was introduced during 2002. The 03 model year includes driver and passenger frontal and side airbags, front belt pre-tensioners and load limiters. ISOFIX mountings are provided on the rear outer seats. Make, model and hand of drive Citroën C3 SX 1.4 Essence LHD
Body type 5-door hatchback
Model year 2003
Kerb weight 1020 kg
VIN and date when rating applies VF7FCHFXB26527647
Cars built on the same platform none