Review of the Citroen e-C3

The all-new Citroën e-C3 is the latest addition to the growing market of affordable electric vehicles (EVs), designed to cater to urban dwellers and eco-conscious drivers. With its compact dimensions, distinctive styling, and a focus on practicality, the e-C3 is set to become a popular choice in the UK’s EV market.

Rivals to the Citroen e-C3 include the Peugeot e-208, Nissan Leaf, Vauxhall Corsa-e, and Mini Electric.

Our Citroen e-C3 review covers:

• Distinctive design with Citroen’s signature design elements
• Comfortable and practical interior with generous headroom and legroom
• 310-litre boot space, expandable to 1,188 litres with the rear seats folded down
• 44kWh battery with a range up to 200 miles of range on a single charge
• Two trim levels are available: Plus and Max

Pros:

• Comfortable ride
• Affordable EV option
• Decent electric range

Cons:

• Boot shape
• Performance
• Interior materials

The Citroen e-C3 is a breath of fresh air in the compact car market, with a design that’s both contemporary and distinctly Citroen. With its bold front grille, sleek lines, and expressive headlights, the e-C3 stands out on the road. The car’s design reflects a perfect blend of modernity and functionality, appealing to drivers who want a car that looks as good as it drives. Available in a range of vibrant colours, the e-C3 allows for personalisation, letting owners make a statement with their choice of vehicle.

When it comes to practicality, the Citroen e-C3 excels. Its compact dimensions make it an ideal choice for navigating tight urban streets and fitting into small parking spaces, yet it doesn’t compromise on interior space. Inside, the e-C3 offers a well-thought-out cabin layout that maximises comfort and usability. The seating is comfortable, with ample legroom and headroom for both front and rear passengers, making it suitable for longer journeys as well as city commutes. The car is equipped with a variety of storage solutions, including door pockets, cup holders, and a spacious glovebox, ensuring that all your essentials are within easy reach.

Despite its compact size, the Citroen e-C3 impresses with its boot space. The car offers a generous 310 litres of boot capacity, which is more than enough for your weekly shop, a few suitcases, or a pushchair. For those times when you need to carry larger items, the rear seats can be folded down to expand the boot space to an impressive 1,188 litres. This versatility makes the e-C3 a practical choice for families or anyone who needs that extra bit of space. Whether you’re packing for a weekend getaway or simply running daily errands, the e-C3’s boot space is designed to accommodate your needs with ease.

The interior of the Citroen e-C3 is a proof to Citroen’s commitment to comfort and practicality, with a design that prioritises both driver and passenger experience. Stepping inside, you’re greeted by a well-organised cabin that feels spacious and inviting, despite the car’s compact exterior dimensions. The seats are designed for comfort, offering ample support, which makes long drives more enjoyable. The materials used in the cabin are a mix of durable fabrics and soft-touch plastics, creating an environment that feels both robust and pleasant.

A standout feature of the e-C3’s interior is its infotainment system. The car is equipped with a 10-inch touchscreen, positioned within easy reach of the driver, which serves as the central hub for the car’s media and navigation systems. The screen is responsive and user-friendly, supporting both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, ensuring seamless integration with your smartphone. This means you can easily access your favourite apps, music, and navigation tools while on the move.

The Citroen e-C3 is available in two distinct trim levels: Plus and Max.

Plus Trim

The Plus trim is the entry-level option and includes:

• 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Automatic air conditioning, ensuring a comfortable cabin temperature regardless of the weather
• Rear parking sensors to help with tight parking manoeuvres
• 16-inch alloy wheels, adding a touch of style to the car’s exterior
• Cruise control with speed limiter, making long drives more relaxed
• Electric front and rear windows, offering added convenience for both driver and passengers

Max Trim

The Max trim builds on the features offered in the Plus trim and includes:

• Reversing camera with dynamic guidelines, making parking even easier and safer
• Keyless entry and start, allowing you to start your journey without taking the key out of your pocket or bag
• Heated front seats, perfect for those chilly UK mornings
• Upgraded interior materials, providing a more premium feel inside the cabin
• 17-inch alloy wheels, enhancing the car’s exterior appearance with a sportier look
• Enhanced driver assistance features, including lane departure warning and traffic sign recognition

The Citroen e-C3 is designed to offer a balanced blend of power and efficiency, making it an ideal choice for urban driving while also capable on longer journeys. At the heart of the e-C3 is its electric powertrain, which delivers a smooth and quiet driving experience. The car is powered by a 44 kWh battery, which provides a range of up to 200 miles on a single charge. This range is more than fine for daily commutes and even longer weekend trips.

With 113 bhp, the e-C3 offers brisk acceleration, particularly in city driving, where its electric motor's instant torque is noticeable. This ensures that the e-C3 can easily keep up with traffic, and its responsiveness makes it a pleasure to drive in stop-start traffic. While its top speed is modest, it is adequate for motorway cruising, making the e-C3 a versatile option for a variety of driving scenarios.

The driving the Citroen e-C3 is all about comfort and ease of use. Citroen has prioritised ride comfort, with a suspension system that is great at absorbing the bumps and imperfections on UK roads. The focus on comfort makes the e-C3 a relaxing car to drive, particularly on longer journeys. The steering is light and responsive, combined with the car's compact dimensions, makes it easy to manoeuvre through city streets and park in tight spaces.

One of the highlights of the e-C3 is its quiet cabin. The electric powertrain produces little noise, and Citroen has taken steps to further reduce external noise intrusion, resulting in a serene environment inside the car. This makes the e-C3 not only a practical choice but also a pleasant one for daily driving.

The Citroen e-C3 is now available for purchase at a starting on-the-road price of Price On Request*, or it can be leased with monthly payments starting from £309.10.

If you're considering leasing a Citroen e-C3, we proudly offer excellent car leasing services in the UK. Our leasing deals include a manufacturer's warranty, road tax, breakdown insurance, and free delivery to most areas of the UK mainland (excluding specific regions).

Leasing a Citroen e-C3 can often be a more financially advantageous option compared to purchasing outright, thanks to the fixed monthly payments, variable mileage options, low initial rental, and flexible contract durations.

It's important to note that the 'on-the-road' price mentioned includes a year's road fund license, DVLA first registration fee, and a number plate fee. Please be aware that this price is accurate at the time of publication and is subject to change. To get the most up-to-date information, we recommend contacting your nearest retailer.