At the international launch in 2024, the Citroen E-C3 surprised us with how good it was considering its affordable pricing. Well, the long wait is over, as the E-C3, alongside its mild hybrid sister car, the C3, is now available in the UK.
Let’s get the pricing out the way to start. If you’re in the market for a new electric supermini, prices for the E-C3 start at £21,990, in the Plus equipment grade. Affordable as predicted last year, the closest rival must be its sister car, the Vauxhall Frontera, although even in entry-level Design spec, it’s over £1,500 more expensive at £23,495.
Okay, so the Frontera shares its slightly bigger body shape with the E-C3 Aircross SUV, but that practicality equals less range at 188 miles. Although, like the E-C3 Aircross, the Frontera will be available with a bigger battery and 248-mile range later this year.
How important those missing miles are will depend on individual use cases, but the E-C3 will likely mostly be used for town driving, and it’s fine there, and seems reasonably efficient.
Design-wise, a 10cm height increase compared with the previous C3 equals more interior space. This and the raised ground clearance, give the new E-C3 an ‘SUV-style’ design. With the front and rear styling showing the distinctive, attractive new family look.
Performance and drive
Being taller could be bad news for handling, but we’re pleased to report that despite some expected body roll, the E-C3 grips well, and the steering is pleasingly precise. It accelerates faster than you expect a 113hp supermini would do. It feels capable on faster roads, too.
As for ride comfort, we think the Advanced Comfort suspension does make a difference – especially over its sister car, the Vauxhall! In general, the E-C3 offers a more comfortable and composed drive than you first thought – although it does lose its polish over deeper potholes and camber changes. However, as with the E-C3 Aircross, the Advanced Comfort seats aren’t noticeably more comfortable than normal.
Other annoyances are the sewn-in statements around the interior, such as ‘be cool’, and ‘have fun’, and the irritating electronic beeping sound to the indicators.
Interior and tech
Inside, the Citroen gets a simpler, ‘C-Zen Lounge concept’ design, with a new head-up vision system. To put it more simply, the instruments are in a slim display at the top of the dashboard. As you need to look over the small steering wheel to see the instrument display, it’s not a ‘head-up display’. It is like the Peugeot I-Cockpit, except this works better! The display is much closer to the driver, and the small steering wheel doesn’t obscure the instruments.
The dashboard has a 10.25in infotainment screen in the centre, plus separate, physical ventilation controls below. The Citroen’s interior stowage doesn’t feel as impressive as the Vauxhall, however.
Despite the value price point of the E-C3, interior materials with our range-topping Max-spec car (£1,700 more expensive than the entry-level Plus equipment grade) don’t feel cheap. Yes, there are plenty of textured hard plastics, but this is mixed with white leather-effect trim on the armrests, and jazzy fabric on the lower part of the dash to break the plastics up. The black cloth and leatherette seat trim looks good too.
Citroen claims the extra height of the E-C3 has boosted legroom, thanks to the angle of the seats, and it is fair to say that both leg and headroom for back seat passengers are good for a supermini. A 310-litre boot has quite a high lip but is fairly deep.
The E-C3 remains an impressive small EV at a price point that should merit very strong consideration from those looking to electrify on a budget.
Positive: Cheap but very cheerful, fun to drive, composed and comfortable ride, decent interior space.
Negative: Advanced Comfort seats not as impressive as the suspension, irritating door trim messages and indicator noise.
Standard equipment: 17in alloy wheels, automatic LED headlights, Citroen Advanced Comfort suspension, electric folding and heated door mirrors, front and rear skid plates, two-tone paint with contrast roof, decorative roof rails, automatic wipers, air conditioning, driver display, 10.25in touchscreen with wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto connectivity, cruise control, rear parking sensors, autonomous emergency braking.
Engines: Electric: 113hp
Equipment grades: Plus, Max
Transmissions: Single-speed automatic
| Model | Citroen E-C3 Max 83kW 44kWh |
| P11D | £23,635 |
| Residual value | 42% |
| Depreciation | £13,717 |
| Fuel | £3,108 |
| Service, maintenance and repair | £1,705 |
| Cost per mile | 30.08p |
| Range | 199 miles |
| CO2 (BIK%) | 0g/km (2%) |
| BIK 20/40% a month | £8/£16 |
| Luggage capacity | 310 litres |
| Battery size/power | 44kWh/113hp |
| Score | 8/10 |
