Overall Rating |  |
Citroen's wacky C3 Pluriel was the answer to a question nobody asked. Neither a roomy hatchback nor a proper convertible, it's certainly unique, but its flaws spoil its fun factor.
For
- Bags of character, cute looks
- Prices are affordable thanks to discounts
- Unique multi-mode roof system
Against
- Sensodrive sequential gearbox is inferior to manual
- Limited rear accommodation, poor ride
- Leaving the roof at home has its drawbacks
Road Test
The four-seater Pluriel is intended to combine hatchback practicality with convertible fun, but it does neither job properly. Its sliding full-length sunroof and retracting rear windscreen work alright, but at the expense of rear space and load capacity. To get the full open-topped effect, heavy roof bars have to be removed but there's nowhere to stow them.
Add in problems with leaking roofs, a complicated and flimsy cartridge-style contraption to accommodate the rear windscreen, and severely compromised driving dynamics with stodgy handling, high noise levels, jerky Sensodrive auto gearbox and dreadful scuttle shake, and Pluriel is far less amusing to own than it looks.
Once you add options such as air con, alloys and metallic paint, it's not even cheap. Its only saving grace is the diesel model, yet more of an oddity but at least economical. Unless you're a fan of quirky Citroens, you'll find there are far better proper convertible choices.
Need To Know
Best Models: 1.6i
Worst Models: 1.4i
Replacement: 2010
Alternatives
|
Star Ratings
Handling  Comfort Quality & Reliability Performance  Roominess Running Costs Value for Money Stereo/Sat Nav |
|
|
|
|
