[Review] Citroën Ami Buggy 2025 Even more fun!

Following two hugely successful limited editions, where all units sold out in just a few minutes, the Citroën Ami Buggy is back in 2025. It features a brand new style, inspired by the restyled Ami, and has been fully integrated into the range — this time for good! So, what does the 2025 Palmera Buggy offer? Read on for the verdict.

A stylish addition with added pep!

Following an initial preview at the Paris Motor Show last October, the Citroën Ami Buggy is returning in 2025 with a more subdued design compared to the Paris concept, but it is still just as interesting, with its attractive yellow accents adding a touch of flair. The absence of doors makes you want to climb aboard immediately.

Discovering this Ami Buggy on the beaches of Le Touquet reveals that it looks even better in real life than in photos, and the changes brought about by this restyling are clear to see. The front and rear ends have been completely transformed, as Citroën has retained the initial symmetry of the Ami. With lights mounted higher and integrated into a large capsule, the Citroën Ami 2025 has a more assertive and simpler front end. The brand has removed all the little embellishments that characterised the higher versions of the Ami, in favour of a simpler and more assertive design. This Buggy version of the Ami features the Citroën logo in yellow, which adds a touch of flair to the bodywork, complemented by a yellow Buggy logo on the rear window. Other new features of this restyled version include the appearance of lateral streaks on the front passenger side and the rear driver side, which are due to symmetry and make a link between the 2CV and the Ami, as if the latter took some of the former's genes.

While the aesthetic changes on the outside are significant, the modifications on the inside are minimal, with only the steering wheel being slightly modified to accommodate the new logo. This Buggy version has specific features, such as decorations, yellow stitching and a small bag attached to the steering wheel for storing small items. The rest is identical to previous versions: the cabin is large enough for two people despite the compact size of the Ami (2.41 m), with space for a cabin suitcase in front of the passenger's feet and a bag on the back of the driver's seat.

However, I still regret that Citroën didn't want to use the specific seats from the first Ami Buggy concept, which had much thicker foam for greater comfort. I'll come back to this later. The brand is therefore keeping the seats from the initial Ami versions, which were quite hard, despite offering much softer seats in the first concept. Only the upholstery needs changing, but Citroën didn't want to do that, which is a major drawback.

In terms of style, this 2025 version of the Citroën Ami is more lively and fun than before. The style has been simplified and all the gimmicks have been removed, but the Ami benefits from this with a more assertive and cheerful personality. The Buggy version adds a fun touch with its yellow logos and the absence of doors, as well as a canvas roof that can be transformed into a convertible at a low price, making it even more desirable. This Buggy Palmera version comes with additional decorations, particularly on the wheel arches, and a small companion fixed to the dashboard that takes up the Ami's design and colours. Called Andy in homage to André Citroën, this little companion will accompany you on trips to the beach. It is available in the Citroën Lifestyle store for the low price of €27 — enough to treat yourself, especially since you get a 10% discount with the code PASSION10.

Long live freedom!

It's wonderful to get behind the wheel of the Ami, especially in this buggy version. It's great to get back to simple, useful and essential things, and to put an end to all sorts of assistance with intrusive beeps. Rediscovering true unassisted driving is a real pleasure, and the feeling of freedom is even greater with this Buggy version without doors, which increases driving pleasure tenfold. While many cars are soft, sanitised and subdued, Citroën offers the complete opposite here, much to our delight... provided it's only temporary. Clearly, the Ami is not intended for use as a regular car; it's a highly practical urban mobility solution that is safer than a scooter or bicycle. It's manoeuvrable and lively despite its 45 km/h speed limit, and extremely easy to drive. However, it's not a car in the strict sense of the word. This Buggy version further reduces its scope of action, as it can only be used when the weather is mild; otherwise, the interior will be invaded by the elements. During this test on the beaches of Le Touquet, the strong wind allowed sand to get everywhere inside. However, driving it immediately puts a smile on your face thanks to the delicious feeling of freedom it provides, adding to the aforementioned qualities of the Ami: driving is simplified to the extreme; it is lively enough not to slow down traffic; it is extremely manoeuvrable and can be parked in a tiny space; and, above all, it is comfortable.

To be honest with you, I own a pre-facelift Ami Pep that I received a few months ago. Since then, I've found the suspension to be quite stiff and uncomfortable — the complete opposite of this Buggy version! The brand's teams assured me that no technical changes had been made, so I assume the tyres, which are different on this buggy version, are the main factor. However, I can assure you that the Ami Buggy impressed me with its excellent comfort and responsive handling. I came to this test in the ë-C3 Aircross, so the difference in comfort should have been obvious. I'm not comparing the Ami to the C3 Aircross — it's significantly less comfortable than a regular car — but the level of comfort offered by this Buggy version is impressive and makes trips enjoyable, rather than a punishment.

This is all the more enjoyable because driving is really simple: you start, press D, and off you go. There are no headaches or questions about how it works; here, everything is simple, essential and direct. Note: it is possible to drive in One Pedal mode with the Ami, since when you release the accelerator, the car comes to a complete stop without you having to press the brake pedal. This makes it the only Citroën to offer one-pedal driving, which is rather amusing and pleasant. It makes driving even simpler in the city and is a real joy, changing your state of mind and encouraging you to adopt a very smooth driving style. You anticipate a lot more, and the accelerator is very progressive in both acceleration and deceleration.

In conclusion, I was seduced by this buggy version of the Ami, which is great fun and adds a touch of excitement to city life. Of course, its scope of action is even more limited than the Ami's, since, without doors, it is at the mercy of troublemakers and the weather. It will be limited to trips to the beach, short journeys around town and small trips with the wind in your hair, but it will provide a lot of pleasure and a welcome feeling of freedom, all while offering a fairly high level of comfort. Priced from €9,500, this Buggy version offers a very pleasant open-top driving experience, making it a modern-day Méhari. Ultimately, it's all about driving with the wind in your hair, feeling free as a bird, but not going too far or too fast.