Citroen C3 vs Hyundai i20
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular Hatchbacks compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Citroen C3
From $32,267
Hatchback
Petrol
Petrol
81kW
5.2 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
300L
Hyundai i20
From $38,500
Hatchback
Petrol
Petrol
150kW
6.9 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
310L
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Price Breakdown
The Citroen C3 starts from $32,267 before on-road costs, while the Hyundai i20 opens at $38,500. That makes the Citroen C3 the more affordable entry point by $6,233.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $35,494 and $42,350 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Citroen C3 by roughly $2,425 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Feature Showdown
The Citroen C3 features a 7-inch touchscreen, while the Hyundai i20 gets a 10.3-inch display and 10.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Hyundai i20 counters with wireless charging and ambient lighting that the Citroen C3 does not offer. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Citroen C3 uses a Petrol producing 81kW and 205Nm of torque, sent through a 6-speed automatic (eat) to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 10.9 seconds.
The Hyundai i20 responds with a Petrol making 150kW and 275Nm, paired to a manual driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 6.7 seconds.
The Hyundai i20 has the clear power advantage at 150kW vs 81kW. In the real-world sprint, the Hyundai i20 is 4.2s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Citroen C3 measures 3,996mm long on a 2,539mm wheelbase, 79mm shorter than the Hyundai i20 at 4,075mm (2,580mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Hyundai i20 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 300L in the Citroen C3 and 310L in the Hyundai i20, giving the Hyundai i20 a 10L advantage.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.5m diameter
Good
Based on 10.5m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Interactive simulator: U-turns, parking & towing
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns are easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
Good
Needs a 3-point turn (one reverse)
Needs about 9.4 m to swing round without stopping. Road is 9.0 m.
U-turn on a wide street
≥ 10 m: clears in one
U-turn on a standard street
7 m: 3-point turn
Standard parking bay
1.8 m wide: fits with room
Tight carpark aisle
6 m: swings in
Narrow laneway
3.5 m: no room to turn
Turning circle ratings
Standard widths: AU local streets carry ~5.5–7 m of carriageway; main roads ~9–12 m. AS 2890.1 carpark aisles are ~5.8–6.6 m for 90° bays (2.6 m wide × 5.4 m deep).
Road, aisle, swing and off-tracking figures are indicative estimates from the published turning circle. Verify in person before relying on them.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,482/year for the Citroen C3 and $1,967/year for the Hyundai i20. That is a $485 annual difference in favour of the Citroen C3.
Estimated annual total: $1,482 (Citroen C3) vs $1,967 (Hyundai i20). The Citroen C3 saves you roughly $485 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Citroen C3) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Hyundai i20). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Citroen C3 if: You want the lower entry price, want lower running costs, or prefer Citroen's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Hyundai i20 if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, or prefer Hyundai's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Hyundai i20 takes 3 of 5 key spec categories. The Citroen C3 will save you roughly $485 a year in fuel. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Citroen C3 and Hyundai i20?
The Citroen C3 is the cheapest at $32,267 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Hyundai i20 by $6,233.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Citroen C3 uses the least fuel at 5.2L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
None of Citroen C3 and Hyundai i20 carry a published ANCAP rating yet — check back as they are tested.
Which has the most boot space?
The Hyundai i20 has the largest boot at 310L.
Which is the most powerful?
The Hyundai i20 makes the most power at 150kW. The Hyundai i20 is quickest to 100km/h in 6.7s.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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