Citroen Aurora
Used Car Review

Overview

Thinking about a practical city car that offers French flair without the complexity? The Citroen Aurora might be exactly what you’re looking for. This compact hatchback brings Citroen’s famous comfort focus and quirky design touches to the small car market. It’s the car for people who want something a bit different from the usual mainstream options, offering distinctive styling and clever interior solutions that make everyday driving more enjoyable.

From the moment you see it, the Aurora stands out from rivals like the Ford Fiesta or Vauxhall Corsa with its bold front grille and expressive headlight design. The interior feels surprisingly spacious for such a compact car, with thoughtful storage solutions throughout. Citroen has clearly prioritised passenger comfort, with seats that feel more supportive than many competitors in this price range. You get the sense that this is a car designed by people who actually understand what daily drivers need.

Driving the Aurora is a relaxed experience that puts comfort first. The suspension is tuned to soak up Britain’s challenging road surfaces, making your commute feel less jarring than in firmer rivals. The steering is light and easy, perfect for city parking and tight spaces. While it won’t set your pulse racing, it delivers exactly what most buyers want: reliable, comfortable, and economical transport. The Aurora proves that choosing a practical car doesn’t mean sacrificing character or style.

What's the Citroen Aurora Like to Drive?

The Citroen Aurora focuses on efficiency and comfort rather than outright performance. The standard engine lineup includes a 1.2 litre three cylinder petrol unit producing around 100 horsepower, which feels perfectly adequate for town driving and motorway cruising. There’s also a more powerful 1.2 turbo option with 130 horsepower for those wanting a bit more punch. Both engines are smooth and refined, with the 0-60 sprint taking around 10.5 seconds for the base engine and 8.9 seconds for the turbo variant.

Where the Aurora really excels is in its ride comfort and handling balance. Citroen has tuned the suspension to prioritise passenger comfort over sporty handling, and it shows. The car glides over potholes and road imperfections that would unsettle rivals, making it an excellent choice for British roads. The steering is light at low speeds for easy parking, then weights up nicely at motorway speeds. This makes it a confidence inspiring hatchback for drivers of all experience levels, offering a composed and relaxing driving experience.

Inside the Citroen Aurora: Comfort & Features

Step inside the Aurora and you’re greeted by one of the most comfortable cabins in its class. Citroen has focused heavily on ergonomics and passenger comfort, with seats that offer excellent support for longer journeys. The dashboard layout is clean and intuitive, featuring a central touchscreen for the infotainment system that includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. Materials feel solid throughout, with soft touch surfaces in key areas and stylish trim details that lift the overall ambience.

The front seats are particularly impressive, offering more adjustment than you’d expect in this segment. Rear seat space is reasonable for a car of this size, though taller adults might find legroom a bit tight on longer trips. One of the Aurora’s standout features is how quiet the cabin remains at speed. Citroen has done excellent work on sound deadening, creating a serene environment that makes every journey more relaxing. Climate control is straightforward to use, and there are plenty of storage cubbies for your everyday items.

The Citroen Aurora succeeds by prioritising the things that matter most to everyday drivers: comfort, practicality, and running costs. Its standout feature is undoubtedly the ride quality, which feels more refined than most rivals costing significantly more. The interior design is thoughtful and well executed, creating a pleasant environment for daily use. The distinctive styling ensures it stands out in car parks full of anonymous hatchbacks. The trade offs include less engaging handling than sportier rivals and rear seat space that could be more generous. However, these are minor concerns for its target market. The Aurora is perfect for buyers who want a reliable, comfortable, and distinctive small car without paying premium prices. If you value comfort over sport and character over conformity, the Aurora delivers exactly what you’re looking for. It’s a compelling alternative to the usual suspects in the competitive small car market.

Nicholas Zapolski Car Expert

How Much Does It Cost to Run a Citroen Aurora?

The Aurora delivers impressive economy figures that help keep running costs manageable. Real world fuel consumption typically falls between 45 and 50 MPG, depending on your driving style and conditions. Insurance groups are competitive for the segment, usually falling between groups 10 and 15. The purchase price sits competitively against mainstream rivals, though it may carry a slight premium over the most basic alternatives like the Dacia Sandero.

Servicing costs are reasonable, with Citroen’s dealer network offering competitive maintenance packages. The engines are generally reliable when properly maintained, though it’s worth staying on top of regular services to avoid any potential issues. Depreciation follows typical small car patterns, though the Aurora’s distinctive styling may help it retain slightly more value than some anonymous competitors. When you factor in car finance options, the monthly costs become very manageable for most buyers, making it an accessible choice for first time buyers and families alike.

Citroen Aurora Practicality & Boot Space

For a small car, the Aurora delivers impressive practicality. The 300 litre boot is competitive for the class, easily accommodating a weekly shop or weekend luggage for two. The rear seats fold down to extend cargo space when needed, and there are useful storage areas throughout the cabin including a decent sized glovebox and door pockets. The wide opening rear hatch makes loading and unloading straightforward, even in tight parking spaces.

Where the Aurora shows its compact dimensions is in rear seat space for adult passengers. While fine for children or shorter journeys, taller adults might find the back seats a bit cramped on longer trips. However, for couples or small families, the Aurora strikes an excellent balance between exterior compactness and interior usability. Its narrow body makes it perfect for city driving and tight parking spots, while the excellent all round visibility helps with manoeuvring. Compared to other used Citroen cars, the Aurora represents excellent value in the small car segment.

The Citroen Aurora stands out in the crowded small car market by offering genuine character and superior comfort. It packages Citroen’s expertise in ride quality, clever interior design, and distinctive styling into an affordable and practical package. While it may not be the sportiest choice available, it excels in the areas that matter most for daily driving: comfort, economy, and usability.

You choose the Aurora because you want a small car that doesn’t feel like a compromise. Its smooth ride, comfortable seats, and thoughtful design make every journey more pleasant. It’s perfectly suited for city driving while remaining capable and comfortable on longer trips. If you’re looking for a hatchback that offers something different from the mainstream choices, with cars under £10,000 available on the used market, the Aurora deserves serious consideration for your shortlist.