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Renault R4 vs Citroen C3 Aircross comparison

Compare performance (150 HP vs 145 HP), boot space and price (27,300 £ vs 16,200 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Renault R4 or Citroen C3 Aircross?

Renault R4 vs Citroen C3 Aircross: Key differences

Renault R4

5 (1 Reviews)
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  • only slightly more power
  • very slightly more efficient
  • barely more electric range
  • clearly quicker 0–100 km/h
  • considerably more trunk space
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Citroen C3 Aircross

4.4 (1 Reviews)
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  • considerably cheaper
  • moderately lighter
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By Achim Sedelmaier

R4

Head-to-head: Citroen C3 Aircross VS Renault R4 — which B‑SUV fits your life?

The Citroen C3 Aircross and the Renault R4 take very different routes to the same goal: practical, city-friendly motoring with a touch of personality. The Citroen C3 Aircross pitches itself as a bargain‑centered family workhorse with optional extra seats and a plush, comfort-first ride, while the Renault R4 plays the role of the clever city crossover — neat loadspace, retro charm and tidy everyday tech. In real life that means the C3 Aircross often feels like more car for the money, and the R4 feels like the smarter, tidier choice when loading and usability matter most. Scanning through the details below will make the trade-offs obvious before we get to the hard numbers in the technical comparison.

C3 Aircross

Character and on-road manners

The Citroen C3 Aircross is unapologetically soft‑sprung and relaxed, so it rides over urban irregularities with a sofa‑like calm that passengers will appreciate. By contrast the Renault R4 leans toward composed and deliberate behaviour: it’s quieter at steady speeds and delivers a more precise throttle and regen feel that suits commuting and mixed runs. Steering in the C3 Aircross is very light and forgiving, which helps in tight parking but robs the driver of feel, whereas the R4 balances agility and calmness to feel more planted on faster roads. If you like to be cocooned on daily trips, the C3 Aircross will charm you; if tidy responses and efficient progress matter, the R4 will feel more grown‑up.

R4

Comfort and long‑distance usability

For short hops and school runs the Citroen C3 Aircross shines: welcoming seats and a soft ride make traffic bearable and passengers comfortable for hours. Take the Citroen on a long motorway stint and you’ll notice more wind and tyre noise than in the Renault R4, which stays quieter and more stable at cruising speeds — better for long miles. The Renault R4, however, exposes its limits in the rear: the bench sits lower and taller adults will feel cramped over long distances, while the C3 Aircross offers genuinely generous second‑row space in five‑seat use. So long drives favour the R4 for serenity up front and the C3 Aircross for rear‑seat comfort, depending on who’s aboard.

C3 Aircross

Practicality and everyday usability

Both cars are pragmatic, but they solve cargo in different ways: the Renault R4’s low loading sill and clever boot details make tossing in groceries, buggies or suitcases effortless and stress‑free. The Citroen C3 Aircross counters with flexible packaging — it can momentarily carry two extra small passengers and its seats fold into a very usable load floor when you actually need big volume. That extra two seats in the C3 Aircross are a useful trick for kid‑only runs, yet they come at the expense of usable luggage space, so families must weigh occasional passenger needs against daily cargo. If you regularly haul bulky items the R4’s boot and access win the practicality battle; if you want occasional extra seats and maximum interior room in five‑seat mode, the C3 Aircross is the more versatile package.

R4

Cabin feel, infotainment and perceived quality

The Citroen C3 Aircross keeps things simple: lots of physical switches, a small steering wheel and a straightforward layout that feels honest rather than luxurious, though materials are plainly budget‑minded. The Renault R4 delivers a cleaner, slightly more modern interior experience — its Google‑based system and tactile climate controls make everyday interactions quicker and feel fresher when compared side‑by‑side. Neither is a trim‑level luxury cruiser, but the R4’s finishing tends to read as more considered, while the C3 Aircross trades refinement for practicality and lower cost. Small irritants crop up on both sides — the R4’s camera clarity and the C3 Aircross’ highway noise are reminders that each has limits beneath the friendly surfaces.

C3 Aircross

Who should pick which — and what to check on the test drive?

If you prioritise entry price, rear‑seat space as a five‑seater and a plush city ride, the Citroen C3 Aircross is tailored to budget‑minded families who value comfort over sport. Buyers who put a premium on boot access, infotainment polish and a calmer long‑distance experience will feel at home with the Renault R4, especially if rear legroom for adults is not a daily requirement. Don’t buy either without a real‑world test: try the C3 Aircross with the seats occupied to judge the third row’s practicality, and take the R4 on a loaded trip and a motorway run to assess noise and range behaviour. With those impressions in hand, the technical comparison that follows will help you convert impressions into the hard numbers that matter for ownership.

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

R4

Costs and Efficiency:

Price and efficiency are key factors when choosing a car – and this is often where the real differences emerge.

Citroen C3 Aircross is considerably cheaper – starting at 16,200 £ , while the Renault R4 costs 27,300 £ . That’s a price difference of around 11,134 £.

In terms of energy consumption, the Renault R4 is very slightly more efficient: consuming 15.1 kWh/100km compared to 16.1 kWh/100km for the Citroen C3 Aircross. That’s a difference of about 1 kWh/100km.

As for electric range, the Renault R4 offers barely more range – reaching up to 409 km, about 9 km more than the Citroen C3 Aircross.

C3 Aircross

Engine and Performance:

Power, torque and acceleration say a lot about how a car feels on the road. This is where you see which model delivers more driving dynamics.

When it comes to engine power, the Renault R4 offers only slightly more power – delivering 150 HP compared to 145 HP. That’s roughly 5 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the Renault R4 is clearly quicker – completing the sprint in 8.2 s, while the Citroen C3 Aircross takes 12.3 s. That’s about 4.1 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the Renault R4 delivers very slightly more torque with 245 Nm compared to 230 Nm. That’s about 15 Nm more.

R4

Space and Everyday Use:

Whether family car or daily driver – which one offers more room, flexibility and comfort?

Seats: Citroen C3 Aircross offers more seats – 5 vs 2.

In terms of curb weight, Citroen C3 Aircross is moderately lighter – 1,312 kg compared to 1,510 kg. The difference is around 198 kg.

Looking at boot space, the Renault R4 offers considerably more boot space – 1,045 L compared to 460 L. That’s a difference of about 585 L.

When it comes to payload, the Citroen C3 Aircross carries slightly more – 462 kg compared to 385 kg. That’s a difference of about 77 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The Citroen C3 Aircross holds a narrow 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 £16,200
C3 Aircross

Citroen C3 Aircross

  • Engine Type : Electric, Petrol, Petrol MHEV
  • Transmission : Automatic, Manuel
  • Drive Type : Front-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP : 101 - 145 HP
  • Consumption L/100km : 5.3 - 5.9 L/100km
  • Consumption kWh/100km : 16.1 - 18.1 kWh/100km
  • Electric Range : 307 - 400 km
Renault R4
Citroen C3 Aircross

Costs and Consumption

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Engine and Performance

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Dimensions and Body

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Renault R4

The Renault R4, affectionately known as the "R4," is a quintessential symbol of French automotive simplicity and practicality. This classic compact car, originally introduced in the early 1960s, won over numerous enthusiasts with its versatile design and dependable performance. Its no-frills charm and robust build made it a beloved choice for rural drivers and city dwellers alike, cementing its status as an iconic piece of automotive history.

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Citroen C3 Aircross

The Citroën C3 Aircross is a cheeky compact SUV that trades bland conformity for playful French character and clever practicality, ideal if you want a car with personality. It soaks up city life with a comfortable ride, inventive cabin tricks and a look that turns heads without asking for attention.

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Renault R4
Citroen C3 Aircross

Costs and Consumption

Price
27,300 £
Price
16,200 - 28,900 £
Consumption L/100km
-
Consumption L/100km
5.3 - 5.9 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
15.1 kWh/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
16.1 - 18.1 kWh/100km
Electric Range
409 km
Electric Range
307 - 400 km
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
0 g/km
co2
0 - 134 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body

Body Type
SUV
Body Type
SUV
Seats
2
Seats
5
Doors
-
Doors
-
Curb weight
1,510 kg
Curb weight
1,312 - 1,608 kg
Trunk capacity
1,045 L
Trunk capacity
460 L
Length
-
Length
-
Width
1,808 mm
Width
1,795 mm
Height
-
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
385 kg
Payload
407 - 462 kg

Engine and Performance

Engine Type
Electric
Engine Type
Electric, Petrol, Petrol MHEV
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission
Automatic, Manuel
Transmission Detail
Reduction Gearbox
Transmission Detail
Reduction Gearbox, Manual Gearbox, Dual-Clutch Automatic
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive
Power HP
150 HP
Power HP
101 - 145 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
8.2 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
12.3 - 13 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
-
Torque
245 Nm
Torque
125 - 230 Nm
Number of Cylinders
-
Number of Cylinders
3
Power kW
110 kW
Power kW
74 - 107 kW
Engine capacity
-
Engine capacity
1,199 cm3

General

Model Year
2025
Model Year
2,024 - 2,026
CO2 Efficiency Class
A
CO2 Efficiency Class
A, D
Brand
Renault
Brand
Citroen
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.