Citroen e-C3 Review 2024
Written by Richard Aucock
Quick overview
Pros
- Great value pricing
- Refreshing design outside and in
- Comfortable and refined to drive
Cons
- Some may still want a bit more battery range
- Rear seat legroom
- Hopefully early electrical niggles have been ironed out
Overall verdict on the Citroen e-C3
"The Citroen e-C3 is an appealing small electric car with a genuinely affordable price tag. It combines all the popular supermini attributes into a stylish package and deserves consideration if you’re looking for your first EV."
The Citroen e-C3 is a really refreshing small electric car that’s coming at just the right time. Unlike conventional small EVs, this has been designed from the ground up with electrification in mind. It means that costs have been kept in mind from the start – which is why it boasts such an affordable price tag starting from under £22,000.
That’s almost £10,000 less than the Peugeot e-208, another electric small car. Indeed, it is so affordable, the Citroen e-C3 can immediately be compared with similar petrol-powered small cars, opening up the idea of electric motoring to an entirely new audience.
Citroen hasn’t achieved this by cutting corners or fitting a tiny battery, either. The Citroen e-C3 is a fully supermini-sized small car, with a very generous level of standard equipment, and an interior that feels just as robust as many rivals. The design is refreshing and stylish, both outside and in, and the attention to detail is really impressive.
As for the range, it offers 199 miles on a full charge, which is around 50% more than the average UK motorist does in a week. The battery can even use speedy public rapid chargers, so you can take it from 20% to 80% in just 26 minutes.
The Citroen e-C3 drives like a proper Citroen too, with a really comfortable ride and plenty of refinement. The electric drive enhances this, giving those inside a real feeling of wellbeing as they glide along.
Of course, it’s not perfect. Space in the rear isn’t the best, and the boot isn’t the most practical. Performance isn’t abundant, although it’s still enough for most. And those who really do need more than a 200-mile range will still have to look towards a Vauxhall Corsa Electric or Peugeot e-208.
But the ingenious Citroen e-C3 still has plenty going for it. As a genuinely affordable small electric car for everyday driving, it’s well worth a look. Read on to find out in what ways it stands out.
Is the Citroen e-C3 right for you?
The Citroen e-C3 is a supermini-sized small car, still one of the most popular car types in Britain. This means its appeal is automatically broad, with something to offer a huge range of drivers.
Being one of the most affordable new electric cars in the UK further enhances the appeal of the Citroen e-C3. This fully electric small car costs a similar amount as an entry-level petrol-powered Volkswagen Polo or Hyundai i20. This will help open up electric motoring to many more people who were previously put off by the high price of EVs.
The Citroen e-C3 isn’t just comparable on price with other petrol-engined cars, either. It has a lot of standard equipment too, so buyers won’t feel short-changed. The modern and stylish design is also attractive, making it a desirable car in its own right.
What's the best Citroen e-C3 model to choose?
The Citroen e-C3 line-up is really simple. There’s one choice of motor, a single battery option, and two trim levels – either Plus or Max.
For value-seekers, the Citroen e-C3 Plus will be the best version to choose. This is the most affordable model, yet still has a really good level of standard equipment. This includes a colourful touchscreen in the dash, wireless smartphone mirroring with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, air conditioning, 17-inch two-tone alloy wheels and funky LED daytime running lights. Even a two-tone paint job, with contrast roof, is standard.
The Citroen e-C3 Max is well worth considering as an upgrade, though. For a few pounds more per month, it adds desirable extras such as climate control, heated seats and steering wheel, reversing camera, wireless smartphone charger and stylish dark-tint rear glass.
What other cars are similar to the Citroen e-C3?
The Citroen e-C3 has many supermini competitors, such as the Volkswagen Polo, Hyundai i20 and Toyota Yaris – but not many electric car rivals, particularly at its great value price point.
The Vauxhall Corsa Electric and Peugeot e-208 are both all-electric superminis, but they are sold for a significantly higher price point than the Citroen e-C3. The Mazda MX-30 is another electric small car, but again costs a lot more (and has a much smaller range). Two interesting other cars that are not too much more expensive than the Citroen e-C3 are the BYD Dolphin and MG4 EV, but both are much larger models.
If you don’t want to go fully electric, hybrid-engined superminis include the Toyota Yaris, Honda Jazz, Peugeot 208 Hybrid and Vauxhall Corsa Hybrid. There’s also a new MG3 hybrid that is worth checking out, thanks to its own great-value pricing structure.
Comfort and design: Citroen e-C3 interior
"The Citroen e-C3 is a fresh and stylish design with fun detailing outside and in. Rear seat space does take a hit because of the battery though, while boot practicality could be better too."
The Citroen e-C3 is a really smart-looking car. It has a modern square and boxy design that’s inspired by some of the historic French brand’s recent concept cars, and all six punchy body colours come with a contrast roof in either white or black – for free. Citroen even sells ‘Colour Clips’, which feature on the front bumper and rear C-pillar, to add an extra dash of verve. Choose them in red, yellow or white.
Oh, and unlike some other cars that only offer plain old white as the ‘free’ colour, the Citroen e-C3 comes with Monte Carlo Blue paint as standard. White, metallic and premium paints are also available.
The modern design extends to the Citroen e-C3’s interior. It’s a refreshing place to be, with the design based around a full-width open-plan dashboard featuring a centrally-mounted touchscreen. Below this is a handy textile-covered shelf, with a large centre console below that.
Lovely design touches abound within the Citroen e-C3 interior. The air fents are vertically stacked either side, creating a design feature in themselves. The compact steering wheel has a flat bottom and a cutaway design for the twin spokes. The door bins are finished in white plastic to contrast with the black door trim, which brightens the cabin and makes it easier to find things within them. There are even tags on each arm rest, a bit like on clothing, saying ‘be cool’ and ‘have fun’.
Another highlight is the ingenious head up display for the driver display. This reflects onto the base of the dashboard’s upper section, just below the windscreen, and is a brilliantly clear and easy to read feature we’re certain other car makers will be envious they didn’t invent.
The seats are ultra-comfortable too. They are part of the Citroen Advanced Comfort package of features, and include an extra layer of cushioning beneath the upholstery. They feel soft and plush as soon as you sit on them, yet the firmer cushioning below means they remain supportive even over long journeys.
Quality and finish
The Citroen e-C3 is an affordable supermini, so you shouldn’t expect an abundance of soft-touch plastics. Sure enough, they’re mainly hard and robust, albeit still nicely finished on the dash structure itself. Quality seems to be pretty good too, with areas such as the gloss black centre console having a nice rich finish.
The use of textiles for the lower dashboard shelf also helps raise the feeling of quality. It’s a nice design that feels classy. Then there are the firm and robust column stalks, which also feel built to last. The Citroen e-C3 has an interior that feels good value, rather than simply cheap.
Infotainment: Touchscreen, USB, sat nav and stereo in the Citroen e-C3
The Citroen e-C3 comes as standard with a 10.25-inch touchscreen. On the Plus, this includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with Bluetooth and DAB. The screen works crisply enough, although the full suite of features wasn’t enabled when we drove the car overseas due to early software bugs. We look forward to trying the final version when it arrives in the UK.
The Citroen e-C3 Max adds Citroen Connect Nav satellite navigation. This includes a one-year trial subscription to the Connected Plus service, which has real time traffic and speed camera alert, and allows contact via the Citroen smartphone app. Both Citroen e-C3 models have a six-speaker stereo.
The Citroen e-C3 is fairly generous in its USB provision. There is a USB-C data and charging socket on the dashboard, another USB-C fast charge socket on the upper dashboard, and yet another USB-C socket for rear seat passengers.
Space and practicality: Citroen e-C3 boot space
The Citroen e-C3 has a good driving position, with plenty of adjustment – there’s a particularly broad range of up-down and in-out steering wheel adjustability. The driving position feels commanding too, with the Citroen e-C3 serving up a semi-SUV-style seating position for a good view over the bonnet.
Things are tighter for those in the back. The Citroen e-C3 has its battery mounted underneath, and this means that the floor is higher than it is in petrol-powered Citroen C3. It’s not an issue up front, but does mean rear passenger legroom is compromised. There’s no space under the front seats, which forces a more perched seating position. This will be fine for children but adults will feel less comfortable.
The Citroen e-C3 has a 310-litre boot, which is about par for the course with supermini-sized small cars. But it’s a pity the sill is rather high, meaning you have to lift things up quite high to drop them in. The rear seats fold in a 60/40 split, opening up 1188 litres of space. However, there is no space for cables beneath the boot floor, so they’ll take up space in the boot itself. There’s no ‘frunk’, or front boot, either.
Handling and ride quality: What is the Citroen e-C3 like to drive?
"Comfort is this brand’s USP and the Citroen e-C3 doesn’t disappoint. The clever suspension delivers a really smooth and supple ride quality, with the sort of everyday refinement that would do an executive car proud."
No mainstream car brand does ride quality quite like Citroen. As a result, the Citroen e-C3 is among the most comfortable small cars you can buy. Special ‘Advanced Comfort Suspension’ features novel progressive hydraulic air cushions. This is an extra form of suspension that aims to take the edge off the sort of gnarly road surfaces all too common here in the UK.
It really works, too. The Citroen e-C3 has a wonderfully compliant ride, with a sort of ‘air suspended’ feel that really enhances comfort, particularly in town. The edges are taken off potholes and you barely notice the pitter-patter of broken road surfaces. This pleasing compliance is a real standout feature.
As a result of this, the Citroen e-C3 is a bit softer through the corners than something like a sportier Vauxhall Corsa Electric. You’ll notice the extra lean as you press on through bends. There’s also more float at higher speeds, although some may actually prefer this more relaxed gait, which rewards smooth driving.
Despite being quick and responsive, the Citroen e-C3’s steering is nice and stable, too. This gives a reassuring feel particularly at speed, and helps encourage smooth driving thanks to its accuracy. Because the weight of the battery is positioned so low in the Citroen e-C3, the resultant low centre of gravity also enhances stability in corners.
What engines and gearboxes are available in the Citroen e-C3?
The Citroen e-C3 currently offers a single electric motor and battery setup. The motor produces 113PS and is paired with a single-speed automatic gearbox. Unlike some electric cars, there is just enough performance, rather than an excess, with 0-62mph taking 10.4 seconds.
To encourage maximum range, the top speed is limited to 82mph, which will just be enough for driving in the UK, but might lead to you hitting the speed limiter when driving in Europe.
Really, though, the Citroen e-C3 feels faster than the figures suggest.
That’s because the electric motor has a good amount of pulling power, which is available instantly. Combine this with its relatively light (for an electric car) kerb weight of 1416kg, and the Citroen e-C3 serves up smooth and reassuring response, particularly in town.
What’s more, many will prefer this more measured experience, rather than the tiresome wheel-scrabbling effervescence of some other EVs.
Refinement and noise levels
The Citroen e-C3 is an extremely refined car, with very low noise levels, particularly in town. This further enhances the experience of comfort it delivers. The silence of the electric motor really contrasts with the buzz of a petrol engine, particularly during sharp acceleration. There’s no roar as you zoom away at a roundabout junction, for example.
At first, it’s novel for a small car to be this refined. The excellent ride quality of the Citroen e-C3 further enhances this. Not only are bumps soaked up smoothly, but they’re also absorbed quietly. There’s little crash and bang on rough roads.
One strange effect of its low noise levels is that you’ll notice the swoosh of passing traffic more. And because it’s not an executive car, other sources of noise will become louder as speeds rise, including wind noise and road noise. But, overall, the Citroen e-C3 will surprise many because of the refinement it delivers.
Safety equipment: How safe is the Citroen e-C3?
The Citroen e-C3 (and the regular Citroen C3) have yet to be crash-tested by Euro NCAP. However, an extensive array of standard safety equipment should ensure it performs well in terms of active safety tech.
The Safety Pack includes ‘Active Safety Brake’. This includes video-based autonomous emergency braking, driver attention alert, plus speed limit recognition and recommendation. There is an active lane departure warning system too, and a seatbelt warning alert (and light) for all five seats – there is a trio of three-point seatbelts in the rear as well.
The Citroen e-C3 has a handy electric parking brake, hill start assist, automatic headlamps and hazard warning lights that automatically flash during heavy braking (the standard LED running lights help others see it during the daytime, too). The doors also automatically lock when in motion – and automatically unlock in case of impact.
Citroen e-C3 charging times: How much does it cost to charge?
"The Citroen e-C3 is a compact car with a sensibly-sized battery. This helps keep the weight down, and serves up great efficiency, making it even cheaper to run than many EVs."
The Citroen e-C3’s relatively light (by EV standards) kerb weight, and well-honed aerodynamics, really help enhance its efficiency. The combination of a 44kWh battery and 199-mile range works out at 4.6 miles per kWh of charge, making it one of the most efficient EVs.
This means you’ll spend less on charging it up over a given distance (or, if you prefer, go further for every pound you spend on electricity). As electric cars are, if you have a home charger, significantly cheaper to run than petrol cars, this means the Citroen e-C3 will be particularly easy on your bank account.
Charging at home is relatively speedy, thanks to the right-sized battery. Using a 7kW wall box, a full charge can be achieved in just over four hours. If you don’t mind spending more on public charging, the Citroen e-C3 can use DC rapid chargers at a rate of up to 100kW. This will take it from a 20% to 80% charge in just 26 minutes.
The only obvious omission on the Citroen e-C3 is a heat pump. This is a piece of tech that makes it more efficient in colder weather. As it is also expensive tech, Citroen hasn’t fitted one to keep costs down. Without a heat pump, the efficiency of the Citroen e-C3 may take a hit in the winter. It shouldn’t be a deal-breaker, but it will be worth keeping an eye on.
Citroen e-C3 reliability and warranty
Electric cars such as the Citroen e-C3 are generally more reliable than petrol cars, because there is less to go wrong. Instead of having hundreds of moving parts and other ancillaries, the simple electric motor and battery pack is largely maintenance-free, and proven to be very reliable.
As batteries are designed to last the lifetime of the car (or more), the Citroen e-C3 has a very generous battery warranty that lasts for eight years or 100,000 miles. This guarantees that the capacity will remain above 70% of its ‘new’ capacity – or Citroen will replace it.
The software reliability of the Citroen e-C3 has, up to now, been more of a concern. The launch of the car was actually delayed due to software issues, with ongoing bugs leaving it months behind schedule. Launch dates have now been confirmed, so hopefully the reliability issues have been ironed out.
Citroen e-C3 insurance groups and costs
Insurance groups for the new Citroen e-C3 are still to be confirmed. They are likely to be a little higher than the petrol hybrid Citroen C3, due to the cost of repairing the battery in the event of an accident. However, with more experience of electric cars in the UK, this price premium should come down.
VED car tax: What is the annual road tax on a Citroen e-C3?
Being an electric car, the Citroen e-C3 qualifies for free road tax, also known as VED. However, that is set to change in 2025.
Citroen e-C3 price
"Prices for the Citroen e-C3 start at £21,990 in Plus trim, with prices rising to £23,690 for it in Max trim."
The Citroen e-C3 is not yet available as a used car, but you can get a well-priced used Citroen C3 with petrol power for a very good price.
The Citroen C3 has been around for several decades now, across several generations. Our favourite used Citroen C3 is actually the previous generation, launched in 2016, which introduced more characterful styling outside and in, plus a drive that felt more traditionally ‘Citroen’.
This model featured bright colours and the quirky ‘Airbumps’ on the side, to help protect against car park dents. The design still looks fresh today. The fact you can buy 2017 cars for under £7000 therefore makes it a bit of a bargain. 2018 cars can also be found for around £7500.
Most used Citroen C3 will feature the 1.2 PureTech engine which, in turbo form, produces 82PS. There is a 1.6 BlueHDi diesel too, but this is rarer, and we’d stick with the petrol. Choose from either Feel or Flair trims, with Flair being the posher grade with more standard equipment.
Trim levels and standard equipment
The Citroen e-C3 is offered in two trim levels, called Plus and Max. The aim here is to make things as simple as possible for new car buyers. It also means Citroen can offer a better spec even on the standard car, thanks to the efficiencies in production this more straightforward approach allows.
The Citroen e-C3 Plus has 17-inch diamond-cut bi-tone alloy wheels, black wheelarch extensions and roof rails. It also has a two-tone roof, plus LED headlights and LED daytime running lights. Front electric windows are standard, as are heated folding electric door mirrors, while both headlights and windscreen wipers are automatic.
The 10.25-inch touchscreen has wireless smartphone mirroring for both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The stereo has six speakers (there’s no premium upgrade). Air conditioning is standard, as is an electronic parking brake and rear parking sensors, while the Advanced Comfort front seats are finished in Urban Grey cloth. Remote central locking and cruise control with speed limiter are also standard.
The Citroen e-C3 Max adds LED rear lights, and has dark-tinted rear and tailgate glass. It enhances the rear parking sensors with a reversing camera, and a heated acoustic windscreen will be a nice touch in winter – as will the heated steering wheel and front seats. It also electrifies the rear windows, adds a wireless smartphone charger, and upgrades air con to full climate control.
Instead of Urban Grey cloth, the Citroen e-C3 Max has Metropolitan grey cloth and leather effect upholstery, while the Ultra Blue décor on the dashboard and front doors is replaced with Grey. It also has full Citroen Connected Nav, with a one-year subscription to the Connected Plus services that include real time traffic and speed camera alerts.
Ask the heycar experts: common questions
Is the Citroen e-C3 the cheapest new electric car on sale?
Can I get a Citroen C3 with petrol power?
What is the electric range of the Citroen e-C3?
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