Skip advert
Advertisement
Car group tests

90 years of Citoren

In a 90th birthday exclusive, we compare four Citroen classics – plus look at its new 2010 star.

citroen ds3

Citroen is 90 not out, and to celebrate the maker’s achievement, we have assembled four great cars from its past, plus one from its future.

More than any other manufacturer, the French giant is known for thinking outside the box. Its history is littered with innovative designs. Not all of them have been sales hits, and some even threatened Citroen’s future, but the brand’s refusal to follow the crowd has resulted in some of the most recognisable machines in the world.

From the innovative Traction Avant of the Thirties to the legendary 2CV, it has always approached car design from a different angle. The complex SM coupé and stunning DS are famous around the globe, which explains why Citroen is relaunching the DS badge with its hotly anticipated new MINI rival, the DS3. We look back at some of this car’s illustrious forebears to see if it can live up to the legend.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The cars...
Citroen DS3
Stylish MINI rival promises to shake up small car class

Citroen 2CV
Tin snail brought post-war mass-market revolution

Citroen DS
Name is synonymous with innovation and stylish looks

Citroen SM
V6-engined stunner took firm into supercoupé market

Citroen Traction Avant
Front-wheel-drive pioneer invented modern family car

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Citroen C3

Citroen C3

RRP £18,805Avg. savings £1,908 off RRP*Used from £4,930
Citroen C3 Aircross

Citroen C3 Aircross

RRP £21,105Avg. savings £1,690 off RRP*Used from £6,981
Hyundai Inster

Hyundai Inster

RRP £23,505Avg. savings £3,022 off RRP*Used from £21,272
Dacia Sandero Stepway

Dacia Sandero Stepway

RRP £14,045Avg. savings £904 off RRP*Used from £9,149
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New MG IM5 has the Tesla Model 3 beaten on price and range
MG IM5 - Goodwood front

New MG IM5 has the Tesla Model 3 beaten on price and range

The all-electric IM5 brings new technology and design to the MG line-up
News
10 Jul 2025
New MG Cyberster Black is a dark sign of things to come for the brand
Cyberster Black - front 3/4

New MG Cyberster Black is a dark sign of things to come for the brand

MG boss thinks special editions like this might be the ticket to keeping up demand for the electric sports car
News
10 Jul 2025
New Xiaomi YU7 2025 review: a world-beating new EV to worry the establishment
Xiaomi YU7 - front cornering

New Xiaomi YU7 2025 review: a world-beating new EV to worry the establishment

BMW or Mercedes would do anything to keep the new Xiaomi YU7 from sale in the UK and Europe, and this is why
Road tests
14 Jul 2025