Citroën C3 Pluriel (03-10) - Review

The front seats are spongy but adequate, although due to the lack of contour there is little back or lateral support over long spells. The rear is just about big enough for a couple of kids, but adults will find it a squeeze, as legroom is tight - especially if sitting behind a tall driver - and broad shouldered passengers may feel wedged in. Getting the roof down couldn't be easier - the canvas rolls back at the twist of a knob and it's comparatively quiet for a convertible with little noise at moderate speed. However, on the motorway with the roof down things can start to get noisy.

The C3 Pluriel’s all-weather versatility is useful whatever the season, but there is no storage for the detachable roof rails, which is useless if the weather changes quickly while you’re driving. Like many convertibles, boot space is seriously compromised when the roof is down, but there's enough room for a sizeable weekly shop when it's up. With the seats folded down, it's almost a pick-up, capable of taking bulky goods. The door bins, lockable glovebox and dash-mounted storage cupboard make for decent stowage, plus the hardback front seats are scuff resistant.

The well laid out two-tone dash is easy to use, and the digital speedo and semi-circle rev-counter are neat and uncomplicated to read. However the interior is cheapened by the faux-aluminium plastic air-vents, door handles and handbrake button, which are all evidence of obvious cost cutting measures. The high driving position enables a great view of the road, although rearward visibility is restricted when the roof is up, as the rear window is small.