Citroen C3 vs Subaru Impreza
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular Sedans 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
Sedan
Petrol
Petrol
81kW
5.2 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
300L
Subaru Impreza
From $33,490
Sedan
Petrol
Petrol I4 Boxer
115kW
7.5 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
291L
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Price Breakdown
The Citroen C3 starts from $32,267 before on-road costs, while the Subaru Impreza opens at $33,490. That makes the Citroen C3 the more affordable entry point by $1,223.
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 $36,839 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Citroen C3 by roughly $3,280 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
Both come with modern infotainment systems.
The Citroen C3 stands out with Apple CarPlay that you will not find on the Subaru Impreza. 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 automatic to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 10.9 seconds.
The Subaru Impreza responds with a Petrol I4 Boxer making 115kW and 196Nm, paired to a cvt driving all four wheels.
The Subaru Impreza has the clear power advantage at 115kW vs 81kW. 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, 494mm shorter than the Subaru Impreza at 4,490mm (2,670mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Subaru Impreza generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 300L in the Citroen C3 and 291L in the Subaru Impreza, giving the Citroen C3 a 9L advantage.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.6m diameter
Good
Based on 10.6m 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 9.2 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 $2,138/year for the Subaru Impreza. That is a $656 annual difference in favour of the Citroen C3.
Estimated annual total: $1,482 (Citroen C3) vs $2,138 (Subaru Impreza). The Citroen C3 saves you roughly $656 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 (Subaru Impreza). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Citroen C3 if: You want the lower entry price, need more boot space, want lower running costs, or prefer Citroen's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Subaru Impreza if: You prioritise performance, or prefer Subaru's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Citroen C3 takes 3 of 4 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. The Citroen C3 will save you roughly $656 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 Subaru Impreza?
The Citroen C3 is the cheapest at $32,267 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Subaru Impreza by $1,223.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Citroen C3 uses the least fuel at 5.2L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Subaru Impreza all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Citroen C3 has the largest boot at 300L.
Which is the most powerful?
The Subaru Impreza makes the most power at 115kW.
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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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