Citroen C3 Vs Nissan Magnite Turbo: Fun To Drive And Light On The Pocket

Cars are emotional buys and need not be governed by rational boundaries all of the time hence, performance is also as important as fuel efficiency.

magnite c3

In terms of powerful sub-Rs 10 lakh cars, these two are amongst the best in terms of being light on the pocket but also plastering a big smile on your face. The Citroen C3 refreshingly is not even being called as an SUV but to our eyes it is a tall subcompact crossover/SUVish and that's not bad. The Magnite has been a popular option for a long time now and one look at its spec sheet reveals why. Both are here in their turbo-petrol manual forms and both are below the Rs 10 lakh mark. It will be an interesting battle. (Image Source: Somnath Chatterjee)

One thing is for sure that the C3 is a fantastic looking car and looks unique in being typically French in its design philosophy. The way the DRLs flow into the grille and the overall design is just refreshing and stands out. The Magnite has been around for a while but the L'Shaped DRLs and the grille design still gives it a bold SUV stance. It is a good looking car that has stood the test of time. The Magnite is slightly longer than the C3 but the Citroen has more height along with grabbing more eyeballs with its edgy design. (Image Source: Somnath Chatterjee)

The same can be said for the C3 as it is again different from any other car at this price. The pattern on the dashboard to the air vents are all of high quality along with the large 10-inch touchscreen which seems to be from a higher class. Even the steering wheel design is different. The C3 has the edge here in terms of design and quality but it also shows some visible signs of cost cutting. There is an old-school manual adjustment for the mirror, no rear camera or wiper, rear armrest while the door pads are also hard to touch. (Image Source: Somnath Chatterjee)

That said, where the C3 impresses is its spacious interiors and a longer wheelbase over the Magnite with an airy cabin and an SUV-Like driving position. The Magnite interior is well designed too with also a cool look for the air vents while in the features department it has the lead with even a 360 degree camera! Plus a tyre pressure monitoring system, connected car tech and more. (Image Source: Somnath Chatterjee)

Let's talk driving now and at first the C3 surprises you at how quick it is. We are driving the C3 Turbo with 110bhp and it is easily one of the fastest cars that you can get below Rs 10 lakh. It is also brilliantly tuned for city use and hence, does not require many downshifts. You can move around just in 3rd gear and the power on tap for quick low-speed overtakes are plain fun. There is hardly any turbo lag and the 6-speed manual is also slick to use. The best bit? It has to be its ride and suspension. It basically feels like a more expensive car with its robust suspension and how it tackles bad roads. The ride quality is superb for our roads and ride wise, it has no rivals at this price point- it is that good. (Image Source: Somnath Chatterjee)

The Magnite is also eager in its performance with its 100 bhp turbo motor and with the manual, the sense of fun is also more. The engine like on the C3 has plenty of power but feels more linear here and the 5-speed manual is reasonably slick. The Magnite feels light to drive but has a firm ride over bad roads but it can take on some beating. The top-end C3 Turbo is just above Rs 8 lakh while the Magnite Turbo range starts at Rs 9 lakh. Overall, these two are the most fun cars at this price point and bring in efficiency (both do 12-13 kmpl) and performance but also be practical for our roads. The Magnite has the SUV looks, features and good performance which justifies the price while the C3 feels the more robust and the better engineered car. The C3 Turbo is also more fun to drive and one should buy it for its unique appeal plus looks too. The Magnite fits into a more conventional SUV mould and you buy it for its features. Either way, both are a cracking deal. (Image Source: Somnath Chatterjee)