► Fresh batch of crossovers
► Which is best?
► We find out in our quick test
You don’t have to be clad to work here, but it helps distinguish a mini-SUV from a plain old ‘mini. Here, the Citroen C3 Aircross, Kia Stonic, Renault Captur and Seat Arona go head to head.
Check out our first drive reviews of these cars here:
More mini-SUV mayhem? What’s under those chunky bumpers?
Citroen C3 Aircross
The clue’s in the name. And no, we don’t mean the ‘Aircross Flair S&S PureTech 110’ bit, which makes it sound like a Norwegian Royal competing at the Grand National. This is based on a C3 supermini, but with a 54mm wheelbase stretch.
Kia Stonic
It’s only the Rio, Kia’s most conventional car. At least the Stonic looks less boring, though it’s short on drama compared to its eye-popping Hyundai Kona sister. The name combines Speed and Tonic. Stolid and Stoic seem more appropriate.
Renault Captur
Think Clio on stilts with a dash more va-va-voom in the marketing push to capture your cash. While the other three SUVs here are new, the Renault has been around since 2013 – and facelifted in time to meet this new bunch of rivals.
Seat Arona
This might be Seat’s first baby SUV (and its second of any size after the Ateca), but underneath it’s largely based on the same (warning: platform chat ahead) MQB A0 platform used for the
Ibiza and latest VW Polo.
And what’s under the bonnet?
Citroen C3 Aircross
A slothful 81bhp 1.2 (or thrifty 1.6 diesel) if every penny counts, and a zippy 128bhp turbocharged 1.0 if every second does. Pick of the range is our mid-spec 109bhp 1.0 triple.
Kia Stonic
Basic Stonics come with a 98bhp naturally aspirated 1.4, but the turbo’d 1.0 is cleaner and shows it a clean pair of heels thanks to an extra 20bhp. There’s no auto option but you can have a 108bhp 1.6 diesel.
Renault Captur
A choice of 0.9-litre three-pot and 1.2 four-cylinder petrol engines or a pair of 1.5 diesels. We had the 118bhp 1.2: 0-62mph in a nippy 9.9sec, but its rivals in this test are all cleaner.
Seat Arona
The usual VW Group parts bin mix of 1.0-litre petrol and 1.6 diesels, both coming in 94bhp and 114hp configurations. Want to feel like you’re in the hot Seat? There’s a 148bhp 1.5 TSI engine available in the FR.
Is it true that SUV is the new MPV?
Citroen C3 Aircross
You heard right. This Aircross replaces the C3 Picasso, and, given its stumpy stance, maybe C3 Toulouse-Lautrec might have been a better name. Anyway, the boot is huge and you get the option of sliding seats.
Kia Stonic
Maybe so, but what that’s got to do with a car that feels like neither, we’re not sure. The boot is smallest here and you never feel like you’re any sitting higher than drivers of ordinary cars.
Renault Captur
Renault spent years perfecting the MPV craft so it’s no surprise the Captur is strong on the multi-purpose bit. A height-adjustable boot floor is standard, as is a sliding seat, though the whole bench has to move as one.
Seat Arona
There’s plenty of MPV-style space in here but the lack of flexibility could easily be a disappointment. The height-adjustable boot floor is useful but the rear seats don’t know a single trick.
But when do we get to the SUV bit?
Citroen C3 Aircross
Right now, but only because our car has £400 worth
of optional Grip Control kit fitted. All C3s are front-drive
but this option lets you flick the ESP between settings for sand, snow and boring old road.
Kia Stonic
The nearest the Stonic comes to an SUV is being parked next to the Sorento in a Kia showroom. The seven-year warranty means you should never need to spend time off the road in that sense either.
Renault Captur
Don’t hold your breath. Unlike its Kadjar big brother there’s no all-paw option for the Captur or any kind of hill-descent control. Not that you’re likely to miss either – surely not a single buyer is looking to use it off road.
Seat Arona
Maybe in 2018 if the rumoured Arona X-Perience arrives on cue. There’s certainly no four-wheel-drive version currently available, though the platform has been designed to support it.
No fun off road? What about on it?
Citroen C3 Aircross
Aircross is less inclined (literally) to point skywards every time you ease the clutch out than the regular C3, but it’s no Fiesta. The 109bhp triple is a honey, feeling punchier than the figures say, but the gearshift is overlong.
Kia Stonic
Who’s got a picture of Ford handling guru Richard Parry-Jones on the wall, eh? Stonic feels tight through the corners, like a good Ford, but way too tight when it comes to bumps: the ride is awful. RP-J wouldn’t approve.
Renault Captur
Better in the bends than you’d imagine given its vintage, and the gearshift is tighter than the Citroën’s. Shame the 1.2 four sounds so characterless next to its warbling three-pot rivals.
Seat Arona
It’s a pointier Polo, just as you’d expect. Good fun to send down a twisty road and does it without the Kia’s ride penalty. Engine gruff but effective and the optional twin-clutch transmission is excellent.
What’s the mark-up over a boring old supermini?
Citroen C3 Aircross
You pay a modest £485 premium for adding that Aircross suffix at the lower end (or £1100 further up the spec ladder), but you are buying a usefully bigger car, not just cladding.
Kia Stonic
You can buy a basic Rio for £11,995, almost £4500 less than you’d shell out for the cheapest Stonic. But with equivalent engines the difference is nearer £1500.
Renault Captur
There’s almost £3200 difference between the most basic Clio and the entry-level Captur, and even matching the engines and trims it’s still more than £1600.
Seat Arona
Emboldened by the success of the bigger Ateca, Seat’s gone all punchy with the prices: you’ll pay £2k over an Ibiza for its most basic high-rise brother with 17s and DAB.
Verdict
Citroen C3 Aircross Flair S&S PureTech 110 – Rating ★★★★
Another charm masterclass from Citroën. Not much fun to hustle, but great value, spacious and with bags of character.
Price £18,800
As tested £20,000
Engine 1199cc 12v 3-cyl, 109bhp @ 5500rpm, 151lb ft @ 1500rpm
Transmission 5-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Performance 11.3sec 0-62mph, 115mph, 56.5mpg, 115g/km CO2
Weight 1159kg
On sale Now
Example insurance quote* £271.04
Kia Stonic 1.0 T-GDi 2 – Rating ★★★
Priced strongly but it’s a surprisingly funk-free effort from Kia and the tidy handling isn’t enough to offset the jittery ride.
Price £16,995
As tested £16,995
Engine 998cc 12v 3-cyl, 118bhp @ 6000rpm, 126lb ft @ 1500rpm
Transmission 6-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Performance 9.9sec 0-62mph, 115mph, 56.5mpg, 115g/km CO2
Weight 1185kg
On sale Now
Example insurance quote* £221.09
Renault Captur Dynamique S TCe 120 – Rating ★★★
Reasonably roomy and not bad to drive but the engine’s short on personality and the cabin has all the fun of a funeral.
Price £19,355
As tested £21,805
Engine 1197 26v 4-cyl, 118bhp @ 5000rpm, 151lb ft @ 2000rpm
Transmission 6-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Performance 9.9sec 0-62mph, 113mph, 51.4mpg, 125g/km CO2
Weight 1184kg
On sale Now
Example insurance quote* £219.12
Seat Arona 1.0 TSI – Rating ★★★
The safe choice. Looks smart, handles well, but where’s the wow? The C3 offers far more space and flair for less folding.
Price £22,235
As tested £22,235
Engine 999cc 12v 3-cyl, 113bhp @ 5000-5500rpm, 148lb ft @ 2000rpm
Transmission 6-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Performance 9.8sec 0-62mph, 113mph, 57.6mpg, 113g/km CO2
Weight 1187kg
On sale Now
Example insurance quote* £271.32
*Insurance quotes are from mustard.co.uk and are based on a 41-year-old married male living in Suffolk with nine years’ NCD and no claims or convictions. Insurance quotes will vary depending on individual circumstances.
Check out more of CAR’s comparison tests here