Citroën C2 VTS (04-09) - Review

Review by David Ross on
The VTS is the hot hatch version in the C2 range and, unlike the limited edition GT model, has genuine performance from its 125bhp petrol engine with a 0-62mph time of 8.3 seconds. It's also available with a punchy diesel that's cheap to tax and will return 64mpg. The VTS handles well thanks to the C2's lightweight body plus there's minimal body roll in corners. Unfortunately the light steering lacks feel and detracts somewhat from the driving enjoyment while the vague gearbox is another disappointment. But affordable prices and low running costs make the VTS a good value junior hot hatch.
3 out of 5

Other Citroën reviews

4.5 out of 5

Running costs

Amazingly for a hot hatch, the insurance rating is group 8, which is very low considering the healthy performance on tap. Fuel costs are respectable too and residual values should be quite strong.

* based on most recent data

Estimated fuel cost for 10,000 miles per year

Unleaded

£1,306 - £1,534 *

Diesel

£986 - £1,002 *

The estimated fuel cost figure is a guide to how much this model will cost to fuel each year, so you can compare between cars. It's calculated by using the model's average mpg (calculated from both town centre and motorway driving) and the average fuel price. It's based on the following cost-per-litre: petrol 135p and diesel 141p. Prices are updated daily.

Summary Running Costs

Servicing period

Petrol 20,000 miles, diesel 12,500 miles.

Warranty

Three years/60,000 miles.

Road tax (12 months)

£30.00 - £170.00

Vehicle excise duty (VED) varies according to the CO2 emissions and the fuel type of the vehicle. For cars registered after March 1st 2001 VED or road tax is based on the car's CO2 emissions. For cars registered before March 1st 2001 it is based on engine size.

Full running costs data

4 out of 5

Green credentials

  • A
  • B
  • C
    113
  • D
  • E
  • F
  • G
    163
  • H
  • I
  • J
  • K
  • L
  • M

CO2 emission figure (g/km)

Fuel economy rating

The arrows indicate the best and worst CO2 bands for this model.

Emissions summary

The VTS may be a hot hatch but it performs fairly well on the eco-front - due mainly to the fact there's a diesel available. The 1.6-litre petrol has fairly high emissions with 163g/km of CO2 but isn't overly thirsty - averaging 41mpg. The diesel is superb, managing 64mpg.

Find the exact engine and CO2