The Citroen Xsara is a compact family car manufactured since 1997. Like its predecessor, the Citroen ZX, the Xsara shares its platform with the Peugeot 306 and was produced as a five-door hatchback and a five-door station wagon. The Xsara can offer a comfortable, smooth ride, good handling, but has largely competed with class leaders Ford Focus and VW Golf thanks to lower prices. It is necessary to mention the unique success of Xsara in the WRC (World Rally Car). This model (which has little in common with the standard except a similar exterior) has become one of the most successful cars in WRC history. Citroen, with the phenomenal Frenchman Sebastien Loeb at the forefront, won three driving championship titles from 2004 to 2006 and three manufacturer champion titles in 2003, 2004, and 2005. The success of the WRC was taken over by Xsara’s successor, the C4 model.