VS

Citroen C3 Aircross vs Renault Rafale comparison

Compare performance (145 HP vs 300 HP), boot space and price (16,400 £ vs 37,700 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Citroen C3 Aircross or Renault Rafale?

Citroen C3 Aircross vs Renault Rafale: Key differences

Citroen C3 Aircross

4.4 (2 Reviews)
rate
  • considerably cheaper
  • clearly more electric range
  • visibly lighter
details

Renault Rafale

4.8 (11 Reviews)
rate
  • clearly more power
  • clearly more efficient
  • considerably quicker 0–100 km/h
  • markedly more trunk space
details

All details on performance, efficiency, range and trunk space can be found in the technical comparison below – including user reviews for both models.

By Achim Sedelmaier

Here’s where it gets real: The technical differences in detail

C3 Aircross

Costs and Efficiency:

Price and efficiency are often the first things buyers look at. Here it becomes clear which model has the long-term edge – whether at the pump, the plug, or in purchase price.

Citroen C3 Aircross is considerably cheaper – starting at 16,400 £ , while the Renault Rafale costs 37,700 £ . That’s a price difference of around 21,266 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the Renault Rafale uses 2 L/100km and is clearly more efficient than the Citroen C3 Aircross with 5.3 L/100km. The difference is about 3.3 L/100km.

As for electric range, the Citroen C3 Aircross offers clearly more range – reaching up to 400 km, about 303 km more than the Renault Rafale.

Rafale

Engine and Performance:

Power, torque and acceleration are the classic benchmarks for car enthusiasts – and here, some clear differences start to show.

When it comes to engine power, the Renault Rafale offers clearly more power – delivering 300 HP compared to 145 HP. That’s roughly 155 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the Renault Rafale is considerably quicker – completing the sprint in 6.4 s, while the Citroen C3 Aircross takes 12.3 s. That’s about 5.9 s quicker.

C3 Aircross

Space and Everyday Use:

Beyond pure performance, interior space and usability matter most in daily life. This is where you see which car is more practical and versatile.

Both vehicles offer seating for 5 people.

In terms of curb weight, Citroen C3 Aircross is visibly lighter – 1,312 kg compared to 1,734 kg. The difference is around 422 kg.

Looking at boot space, the Renault Rafale offers markedly more boot space – 627 L compared to 460 L. That’s a difference of about 167 L.

When it comes to payload, the Citroen C3 Aircross carries barely more – 462 kg compared to 444 kg. That’s a difference of about 18 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The Renault Rafale holds a solid overall lead in the objective data comparison.
This result only shows which model scores more points on paper – not which of the two cars feels right for you.

from £37,700
Rafale

Renault Rafale

  • Engine Type Full Hybrid, Plugin Hybrid
  • Transmission Automatic
  • Drive Type Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP 200 - 300 HP
  • Consumption L/100km 2 - 5 L/100km
  • Electric Range 97 km
details

Frequently compared as well

Citroen C3
Citroen C3 Aircross
VS
Deciding between the Citroën C3 and the Citroën C3 Aircross is basically a choice between a compact, city-focused hatch and a taller, more practical crossover. The C3 prioritises nimble handling, simplicity and economy for urban driving, while the C3 Aircross adds higher ride height, extra interior …
Citroen C3 Aircross
Opel Frontera
VS
Choosing between the Citroën C3 Aircross and the Opel Frontera comes down to whether you want a compact, comfort-focused crossover or a more traditionally rugged SUV. The C3 Aircross shines with clever packaging, ride comfort and economy, while the Frontera offers stronger towing, load capacity and …
Citroen C3 Aircross
Renault Rafale

Costs and Consumption
View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance
View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body
View detailed analysis

Citroen C3 Aircross

The Citroën C3 Aircross is a compact crossover that stands out with its quirky, friendly styling and a tall, airy cabin that prioritizes comfort. It suits buyers who value flexible interior space, good visibility and easy urban driving over sporty performance.

details
cl22010004-62d84cb377731
cl22010002-62d84ccb93b32
cl22010003-62d84cbdece69
c3_aircross_rip_curl_innen_1-62d84d1640e18

Reviews Citroen C3 Aircross

4.4 (2 Reviews)
rate
Mullié Bernard
11 Jul 2026, 09:42:41

Comfortable, this compact SUV has the advantage of being spacious for a reasonable price.

How do you mainly use this car? (optional): Family car
Efficiency / Consumption & Range
Comfort & Interior
Driving Fun / Performance
Technology & Infotainment
Safety
Practicality / Trunk & Everyday Use
Value for Money

Renault Rafale

The Renault Rafale dresses bold coupé-inspired lines around a practical crossover body, turning heads without trying too hard. Inside it serves up a comfortable, well-equipped cabin and engaging driving manners, making it a clever choice for buyers who want a bit of panache with their daily commute.

details
3889762baac06bae2df96037b1f6e225-l
cfebb339f4dc89e3dc217122d50fd1c5-l
b2cc54a3ff665644e95268836bc0f658-l

Reviews Renault Rafale

4.8 (11 Reviews)
rate
Wiktor
4 Jul 2026, 13:09:04

Comfortable, fast, solidly built, modern, elegant, everyone turns to look at it!

How do you mainly use this car? (optional): Family car
Efficiency / Consumption & Range
Comfort & Interior
Driving Fun / Performance
Technology & Infotainment
Safety
Practicality / Trunk & Everyday Use
Value for Money
andy
19 Jun 2026, 12:58:24

Very good value for money for a well-equipped car.

How do you mainly use this car? (optional): Company car / Business
Efficiency / Consumption & Range
Comfort & Interior
Driving Fun / Performance
Technology & Infotainment
Safety
Practicality / Trunk & Everyday Use
Value for Money
Low Budget Urus
4 May 2026, 18:28:11

Resonably good, efficiant and very good looking family hyper Hybrid....

How do you mainly use this car? (optional): Family car
Efficiency / Consumption & Range
Comfort & Interior
Driving Fun / Performance
Technology & Infotainment
Safety
Practicality / Trunk & Everyday Use
Value for Money
PILI
18 Feb 2026, 08:48:58

Very good car — responsive, supple, comfortable and reasonably economical. Not quite at the German premium level for noise insulation, but very close... Exceptional chassis.

How do you mainly use this car? (optional): Long-distance driver
Efficiency / Consumption & Range
Comfort & Interior
Driving Fun / Performance
Technology & Infotainment
Safety
Practicality / Trunk & Everyday Use
Value for Money
Martin
4 Dec 2025, 08:40:43

As a Rafale owner, I'm happy with my choice. The car is spacious, feels luxurious, quiet, robust and very efficient at the same time. I also feel more “up to date” compared to the RAV4.

Frequently compared as well

Renault Austral
Renault Rafale
VS
The Renault Austral and Renault Rafale represent two different takes on the modern Renault SUV: the Austral is a practical, family-oriented compact SUV, while the Rafale aims for a sportier, more premium coupé-SUV character. This comparison focuses on real-world driving, features and ownership …
Citroen C3 Aircross
Renault R4
VS
The Citroën C3 Aircross and Renault 4 go head-to-head in a clash of philosophies: the C3 Aircross is a compact family SUV built for practicality and comfort, while the Renault 4 is a charming, retro‑styled city car reimagined for modern life. We’ll cut through their space, drivability and everyday …
Citroen C3 Aircross
VW T-Cross
VS
Putting the Citroën C3 Aircross up against the VW T‑Cross pits a characterful, comfort-focused small SUV against a more conservative, all-round practical choice. Both target urban buyers who need space and versatility, but they differ in ride, interior quality and features—pick the C3 Aircross for …
Citroen C3 Aircross
Renault Captur
VS
The Citroën C3 Aircross and Renault Captur are two compact crossover SUVs that blend city-friendly size with SUV practicality, each offering clever packaging, efficient engines and a comfortable ride. Choose the C3 Aircross if you prioritise quirky styling, outstanding interior flexibility and a …
Citroen C3 Aircross
MG ZS
VS
Choosing between the Citroën C3 Aircross and the MG ZS comes down to whether you want a quirky, comfort-focused small SUV with clever interior packaging or a straightforward, value-driven package with strong equipment levels. I’ll compare their ride, interior space, efficiency, safety tech and …
Renault Symbioz
Renault Rafale
VS
The Renault Symbioz is pure concept theatre — a bold, electric vision of autonomous living that dazzles with ideas rather than keys. The Renault Rafale, meanwhile, brings that drama back to the driveway as a stylish, coupe‑SUV you can actually buy: handsome, practical and exactly the kind of …
Citroen C3 Aircross
Renault Symbioz
VS
Here’s a side-by-side look at the Citroën C3 Aircross and the Renault Symbioz. The C3 Aircross is a practical, production-ready compact crossover focused on everyday usability, while the Symbioz is Renault’s futuristic concept car showcasing advanced design and technology — compare them to weigh …
Renault Arkana
Renault Rafale
VS
The Renault Arkana and Renault Rafale represent two different takes on Renault's crossover line-up: the Arkana is a compact, value-focused coupe-SUV, while the Rafale aims higher as a larger, more premium fastback crossover packed with technology. This comparison strips away the marketing to help …
Citroen C3 Aircross
Renault Rafale

Costs and Consumption
Price
16,400 - 29,000 £
Price
37,700 - 49,700 £
Consumption L/100km
5.3 - 5.9 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
2 - 5 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
16.1 - 18.1 kWh/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
307 - 400 km
Electric Range
97 km
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
0 - 134 g/km
co2
43 - 108 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body
Body Type
SUV
Body Type
SUV
Seats
5
Seats
5
Doors
-
Doors
-
Curb weight
1,312 - 1,608 kg
Curb weight
1,734 - 2,025 kg
Trunk capacity
460 L
Trunk capacity
539 - 627 L
Length
-
Length
-
Width
1,795 mm
Width
1,886 mm
Height
-
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
407 - 462 kg
Payload
415 - 444 kg

Engine and Performance
Engine Type
Electric, Petrol, Petrol MHEV
Engine Type
Full Hybrid, Plugin Hybrid
Transmission
Automatic, Manuel
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission Detail
Reduction Gearbox, Manual Gearbox, Dual-Clutch Automatic
Transmission Detail
Automatic Gearbox
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Power HP
101 - 145 HP
Power HP
200 - 300 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
12.3 - 13 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
6.4 - 8.9 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
-
Torque
125 - 230 Nm
Torque
-
Number of Cylinders
3
Number of Cylinders
3
Power kW
74 - 107 kW
Power kW
147 - 221 kW
Engine capacity
1,199 cm3
Engine capacity
1,199 cm3

General
Model Year
2,024 - 2,026
Model Year
2025
CO2 Efficiency Class
A, D
CO2 Efficiency Class
C, B
Brand
Citroen
Brand
Renault
What drivetrain options does the Citroen C3 Aircross have?

The Citroen C3 Aircross is available as Front-Wheel Drive.

DriveDuel uses data analysis and artificial intelligence to evaluate vehicle data and create content. Content is regularly reviewed and improved. The displayed prices are estimates based on German list prices, adjusted to the respective country’s VAT. Country-specific registration taxes are not included. This information is not legally binding.