Review
One of the more characterful of the current crop of city cars, the C2 combines distinctive design with a fairly painless driving experience - but basic versions lack much in the way of kit or performance.
The hard-edged styling gives the C2 plenty of visual appeal and the cabin layout is similarly funky - this is a car that Citroen claims has been designed to appeal to young drivers, and it shows. Space is reasonable for front seat occupants, but very tight in the back and the boot is tiny with the rear seats in place.
Dynamically the C2 offers a fair amount of enthusiasm, especially when it comes to darting around on city streets, but the harsh ride quality and loud cruising mean that it quickly feels out of its depth on longer journeys. The basic 1.1 litre petrol engine lacks punch, but the 1.4 is decently rapid. At the top of the range the 1.6 litre VTS is a real pocket rocket, but the 1.6 VTR, which is fitted with a dreadful, lurch-prone "Sensodrive" semi-automatic gearbox is best avoided. The 1.4 litre diesel is loud but very frugal.