Citroen Saxo (Phase I, 1996) 3-door 1.4 (75 Hp) Automatic
People\'s Opinion
N/A / 5
Citroen Saxo:
The Citroën Saxo is a supermini car which was produced by the French manufacturer Citroën from 1996 to 2003. It was sold in Japan as the Citroën Chanson, because Honda had registered the "Saxo" name. The Saxo was a development of the Citroën AX and Peugeot 106, which shared a platform and running gear. It was discontinued in 2003, when it was replaced with the Citroën C2 and Citroën C3 which launched a year earlier. Both models were developed alongside the Peugeot 206....(Read more on Wikipedia)
(Phase I, 1996) 3-door Overview:
Citroen Saxo ((Phase I, 1996) 3-door). With 111 Nm of torque, it offers ample pulling power. It has moderate fuel consumption (~10.5 l/100km). Weighing only 860 kg, it’s quite light. Front‑wheel drive delivers efficiency and easy handling. Acceleration is relatively slow (0–100 km/h in 17 s). The top speed reaches 166 km/h. A compact car with a rear door that swings upward to provide access to the cargo area. Seating for 5 makes it ideal for daily use.
Performance Verdict
Performance is sluggish, especially with the 3-speed automatic, making it feel underpowered for anything beyond city driving.
Fuel Economy
Fuel economy is disappointing for a small car, largely due to the inefficient automatic transmission.
Best Use Case:
City
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- • Compact and agile, excellent for city driving
- • Affordable to buy and maintain (especially manual petrol/diesel variants)
- • Good fuel economy on manual petrol and diesel engines
- • VTS model offers thrilling hot hatch performance
- • Simple, robust mechanicals
Cons:
- • Poor Euro NCAP safety rating (2 stars)
- • Basic interior quality and limited features
- • Noisy at higher speeds, especially on highways
- • Automatic transmissions are sluggish and inefficient
- • Limited rear passenger space and small boot (though expandable)
Specifications:
| General: |
| Brand: | Citroen |
| Model: | Saxo |
| Generation: | (Phase I, 1996) 3-door |
| Modification (Engine): | 1.4 (75 Hp) Automatic |
| Start of production: | 1996 |
| End of production: | 1999 |
| Powertrain Architecture: | Internal Combustion engine |
| Body type: | Hatchback |
| Seats: | 5 |
| Doors: | 3 |
| Engine: |
| Power: | 75 Hp @ 5500 rpm. |
| Power per litre: | 55.1 Hp/l |
| Torque: | 111 Nm @ 3400 rpm. |
| Engine Model/Code: | TU3JP |
| Engine displacement: | 1360 |
| Number of cylinders: | 4 |
| Engine configuration: | Inline |
| Number of valves per cylinder: | 2 |
| Fuel injection system: | Multi-port manifold injection |
| Engine aspiration: | Naturally aspirated engine |
| Valvetrain: | OHC |
| Engine oil capacity: | 3.5 l |
| Coolant: | 6.1 l |
| Engine layout: | Front, Transverse |
| Cylinder Bore: | 75 mm mm |
| Piston Stroke: | 77 mm mm |
| Compression ratio: | 10.2:1 |
| Performance: |
| Fuel Type: | Petrol (Gasoline) |
| Fuel consumption (economy) - urban: | 10.5 l/100 km |
| Fuel consumption (economy) - extra urban: | 6.4 l/100 km |
| Fuel consumption (economy) - combined: | 7.9 l/100 km |
| Acceleration 0 - 100 km/h: | 17 sec |
| Acceleration 0 - 62 mph: | 17 sec |
| Maximum speed: | 166 km/h |
| Weight-to-power ratio: | 11.5 kg/Hp, 87.2 Hp/tonne |
| Weight-to-torque ratio: | 7.7 kg/Nm, 129.1 Nm/tonne |
| Acceleration 0 - 60 mph: | 16.2 sec |
| Space: |
| Kerb Weight: | 860 |
| Max. weight: | 1360 |
| Max. roof load: | 50 kg |
| Max load: | 500 |
| Trunk (boot) space - maximum: | 953 l |
| Trunk (boot) space - minimum: | 280 l |
| Permitted trailer load with brakes (12%): | 500 kg |
| Fuel tank capacity: | 45 l |
| Permitted trailer load without brakes: | 465 kg |
| Permitted towbar download: | 50 kg |
| Size: |
| Length: | 3718 mm mm |
| Width: | 1595 mm mm |
| Height: | 1390 mm mm |
| Wheelbase: | 2385 mm mm |
| Front track: | 1401 mm |
| Rear (Back) track: | 1321 mm |
| Front overhang: | 748 mm |
| Rear overhang: | 585 mm |
| Powertrain: |
| Drivetrain Architecture | The Internal combustion engine (ICE) drives the front wheels of the vehicle. |
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| Drive wheel | Front wheel drive |
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| Number of gears | 3 |
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| Transmission type | Automatic |
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| Front brakes | Disc |
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| Rear brakes | Drum |
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| Assisting systems | ABS (Anti-lock braking system) |
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| Steering type | Steering rack and pinion |
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| Power steering | Hydraulic Steering |
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| Tires size | 165/70 R13 |
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| Wheel rims size | 13 |
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| Front suspension | Independent type McPherson, Transverse stabilizer |
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| Rear suspension | Trailing arm, Torsion |
Your first impression of the Citroen Saxo in one word? Go!