I drove Citroen’s ultra-cheap EV – one thing blew | Tech News

There is at the moment a canyon on this planet of electric automobiles. On one hand, new car consumers can select from a growing choice of price range EVs, such because the Dacia Spring and Leapmotor T03. However, drivers on the lookout for one thing a little bigger at the moment must pay round £8,000 to £10,000 more for a more typical supermini just like the Renault 5 E-Tech or Vauxhall Corsa Electric.

Many car manufacturers are at the moment attempting to bridge this hole. Volkswagen and Renault are each engaged on sub-£17,000 superminis so as to add to their vary, whereas BYD is remodeling a model known as the Seagull for the European market.

However, the race to make a low-cost all-electric supermini has already been gained by Citroen, who not too long ago launched the fourth-era C3. In addition to the petrol-powered model, which begins at £18,305, the e-C3 vary begins at a very cheap £22,095.

The model is already proving to be a hit amongst French consumers, being the nation’s best-selling electric car in February 2025. However, the model nonetheless faces powerful competitors from barely more costly rivals.

So, is the Citroen e-C3 the discount all of us need to help us make the change to an electric car? I spent a week behind the wheel of one to search out out.

Styling:

In my opinion, the best-looking electric fashions are all superminis, and the Citroen e-C3 actually follows this trend. Compared to the outdated C3, it is fairly a bit boxier and options sharp angles and contours all through. The C-formed entrance gentle clusters and shiny black bars spanning throughout the entrance and rear actually help to make it distinctive.

It’s additionally round 10cm taller than the outgoing model, which, in flip with the squared-off entrance finish, flat bonnet, and ridged black wheel arches, help to make the little Citroen more SUV-like.

That mentioned, I’m not so eager on the new Citroen logos, which put the well-known French chevrons inside a vertical oval that does not actually match with the remainder of the model. Moreover, a few buddies of mine have been a little uncertain of the little French flags on the C-pillars and entrance bumper – a daring transfer for a Slovakian-made car bought within the UK!

Interior:

Just like the outside, the Citroen e-C3’s dashboard manages to be trendy and comparatively distinctive in comparison with rivals. Whilst the squared-off steering wheel is a little reminiscent of the Austin Allegro, I’m a fan of the complete-width ridge wherein the instrument panel seems.

Whilst the bulk of the inside is coated in black supplies, the e-C3 manages to really feel quite full of life, thanks partially to the white cloth used on the higher sections of the seats – crucially, all of the bits that may be tough to mark.

Nevertheless, it is the small touches within the Citroen’s cabin which can be the least likeable – significantly the purple tags discovered on every door’s armrest that characteristic completely different two-phrase phrases, similar to ‘be cool’ and ‘have enjoyable’. Unique, yes, however there’s one thing a little odd about getting motivational speeches from a car.

Practicality:

Whilst the Citroen e-C3’s seats are exceptionally snug and supportive, few automobiles of its dimension are precisely spacious, significantly for rear occupants. Despite nearly having the ability to match within the back, my knees dug into the seat in entrance of me, and my head was grazing the headlining.

That mentioned, the boot may be very honest, offering 310 litres with all 5 seats in place. This is kind of a bit more than Stellantis’ own Vauxhall Corsa Electric however considerably much less than the BYD Dolphin, which provides passengers an additional 35 litres.

With the rear seats folded, drivers can enhance the e-C3’s load capability to a hefty 1,188 litres. That mentioned, while I approve of the cut up-folding rear bench, the backs of the seats are nonetheless at a appreciable angle when they’re folded ‘flat’.

Features:

Citroen at the moment makes two variations of the new e-C3: the Plus at £22,095, and the Max at £24,490. Given that each are very fairly priced for an electric car from a mainstream model, neither are precisely lavish however nonetheless offer more or much less all the pieces a purchaser would count on.

All examples come outfitted with 17-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, two-tone paintwork, a 10.25-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, rear parking sensors, and the French company’s Advanced Comfort suspension system.

For the additional £2,395, drivers can get heated entrance seats and steering wheel, a wi-fi smartphone charger, automated air-con (quite than guide), and a reversing digicam. If I may add one thing to the Max’s checklist of options it could be a set of entrance parking sensors, with the boxy entrance finish making tight parking areas arduous to barter.

Performance

From launch, all Citroen e-C3’s use a 43.7kWh battery (a little smaller than the pack discovered within the Peugeot e-208 or flagship Renault 5 E-Tech) and a 113bhp electric motor that drives the entrance wheels.

Despite having a high velocity that has been restricted at 84mph, the little Citroen’s 0-62mph acceleration time of 10.4 seconds implies that it’s fairly a bit slicker off the mark than an equal petrol model.

The e-C3’s vary can be very reasonable – overlaying up to 199 miles per charge based on WLTP checks, though 150 miles is a more cheap determine in actual-world visitors. Drivers who can discover a fast enough charger may replenish the battery from 20 to 80 p.c in simply 26 minutes.

Driving:

I’m a stickler for a car with good journey high quality, and the Citroen e-C3 actually delivers. Whilst it’s hardly as subtle because the company’s acclaimed hydropneumatic system launched within the 50s, drivers handle to keep away from feeling the affect of any bumps within the highway – they merely glide over them.

The slight draw back of that is that the e-C3’s physique does are inclined to roll when cornering at velocity. That mentioned, it is nowhere close to as unhealthy as my basic 2CV and nonetheless feels predictable and properly weighted.

Also very nice is the e-C3’s acceleration. Unlike many of the newest electric fashions, there are no drive modes the proprietor can choose; nonetheless, the little Citroen glides up to hurry in no time. The regenerative braking can be not configurable, however a small quantity was current when I eased off the accelerator.

The Citroen e-C3 definitely suits into tight areas, however I have encountered electric hatchbacks which can be more manoeuvrable – the Renault 5’s turning circle being about 30cm much less. Combined with the car’s cumbersome form, I discovered myself taking specific care when parking.

Conclusion:

The Citroen e-C3’s largest objective is to not make an electric car for the bottom attainable price. It’s actually to create a low-cost EV that has all the identical ranges of refinement that drivers count on from a new household car.

In that sense, the e-C3 is kind of an achievement. Sure, drivers will discover some arduous and scratchy plastics inside and the entry-stage model is considerably frugal with its commonplace tools, however it’s all packaged in a very neat and classy design.

In that sense, maybe the Citroen e-C3’s largest rival would be the growing quantity of pre-owned electric automobiles, which regularly offer more tools for the money however not fairly the identical ranges of attraction.