Citroen’s C3 supermini has always focused on comfort and value. But then so does every other supermini. To survive in the tightly fought small car segment, it must offer more in MK3 model guise and do so with a dash of Gallic flair. There were signs that Citroen could still offer that with its C4 Cactus Crossover model of 2014 and that impetus seems to have been continued here.

The idea here is to offer supermini buyers a little more energy and personality and that’s broadly what’s delivered. At 3.99m in length, this car is slightly smaller than some of its rivals, but it’s more interesting to look at. Even more noteworthy are the ‘Airbump’ side panels - black plastic strips with air-filled bumps that look individual and create a scratch-proof surface to guard the bodywork from minor scratches and dents. There are some really clever optional touches too. Of these, our favourite is the ‘ConnectedCAM Citroen’ system. Here, you get a forward-facing two-megapixel, GPS-enabled camera mounted in the rear-view mirror.

Though much has changed about this third generation C3, few of the differences can be found beneath the bonnet. Which means that power comes from much the same engine range used by final versions of its predecessor. To be fair, there wasn’t a lot wrong with that car’s powertrain line-up by the very end. The PureTech three cylinder 1.2-litre unit is frugal and willing, while the 1.6-litre BlueHDi diesels are amongst the cleanest and most frugal engines of their kind in the industry. Most potential buyers will be looking at the 75bhp variant but a 100bhp version of this frugal unit is also offered.

This third generation C3 supermini is a far more buyable prospect. True, as superminis go, this isn’t an orthodox choice, but then that’s part of its appeal. In time honoured Citroen fashion, a C3 is just that little bit different, with smart, slightly quirky looks and some fun aesthetic options if you want them.

The interior’s different too and we like the extra media connectivity and the clever ConnectedCAM system. Overall then, the C3 is at last a strong contender in the supermini marketplace. Best of all perhaps, it’s a car that’s distinctively Citroen.