Citroën e-C3 review: value-led electric supermini makes a strong case
The new Citroen e-C3
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CITROEN E-C3 |
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★★★★☆ |
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from €22,600 - €25,650 as tested |
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it’s a full EV with a modest 113 bhp |
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320km |
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it might be cheap, but it still has oodles of kit |
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Excellent for the money |
Some weeks back, we reviewed the new Citroën C3 in petrol/hybrid form and found it to be the best C3 we’ve ever driven — a model that has been with us since 2002 — and more than capable of taking on the big players in the mega-competitive, albeit shrinking, B-segment.
Stalwarts in this market include the VW Polo, SEAT Ibiza, Toyota Yaris, Renault Clio and Peugeot 208, among others. Of course, the Ford Fiesta used to be the kingpin here until the Blue Oval shockingly stopped producing it.
Mystifying as Ford’s decision was — as was the announcement that it would also stop making the Focus, the final example of which rolled off the production line just weeks ago — the company’s more recent claim that it intends to return the Fiesta to the market, after concluding a deal with Renault to use its mechanicals, came as a major surprise.
The whole Ford fiasco — perhaps that’s what they should call the new Fiesta: the Ford Fiasco — illustrated poor and misguided judgement by the American giant’s management, while also showing that even in times of rapid market and customer shifts, there remains merit in believing in the traditional.
Ford hung its hat entirely on the EV peg, which proved rash. Putting all your eggs in one basket is always risky, and when electrification failed to become the instant saviour many expected, Ford’s management realised they were closing the stable door long after Red Rum had bolted.
It has been a sobering lesson for those in Dearborn and beyond, but it is notable that few others made the same mistake. While many manufacturers misjudged the short-term returns EVs would deliver, they did not bet the house on them and consequently do not look anywhere near as exposed as their Blue Oval counterparts.
Stellantis backed the EV revolution heavily but kept its options open by offering petrol, hybrid and electric versions across its range — a sensible move.
Superminis have been with us forever and Citroën, one of the Stellantis brands, has built plenty over the years. They may never have been huge sellers in Ireland, but their performance in other markets has been far from poor.
The brand’s latest effort is the new C3 and while it might look a little awkward compared with some of its more stylish predecessors, it remains a strong proposition and should reward Citroën with healthy sales.
This week, we sampled the electric version and while a few elements proved genuinely frustrating, it is, overall, a very solid entry into the genre. It drives well, is impressively equipped in Max specification, offers strong practicality, a usable range and keen pricing.
It is worth noting that Citroën has been assigned a new role within the Stellantis group, effectively positioning it as the value-focused brand. Having observed the success of Škoda and Dacia within the VW and Renault groups respectively, Stellantis has opted for a similar strategy — and Citroën is now on that path.
As a result, the entry-level e-C3 arrives priced at just €22,600, with the Max version adding around €3,500, placing it firmly alongside several Chinese brands that have made a significant impact in recent months.
Given that many buyers will naturally gravitate towards a European badge, this puts the C3 in a strong position on value, and it could perform well in conquest sales.
So, what’s it like? The electric version offers a claimed range of 320km, which is respectable and makes it more than just a city car. One notable annoyance, however, is the lack of a live range display in the instrumentation.
Instead, you only get a battery percentage readout, with no estimate of remaining distance. For anyone prone to range anxiety, this will not help, and may even heighten concern.
It may seem minor, but it’s reassuring to know roughly how far you can go, particularly beyond short urban trips. Over time, familiarity will help drivers interpret the percentage figure, but it would be far simpler if the car just told you.
Citroën has kept costs down in several ways, chief among them reducing the number of components. It has cut working parts by around 30%, significantly reducing complexity.
As a result, features such as sunroofs, paddle shifters and selectable drive modes are absent — items Citroën claims buyers do not really want. In practice, some buyers do value choice, but here you get what you’re given.
Still, the equipment list remains generous, including a full suite of safety systems, rear parking sensors, a reversing camera, automatic climate control, cruise control, automatic wipers, electric windows and heated front seats. You also get the “happy” tag labels in the door armrests, which may or may not set pulses racing.
There’s also a sharp and responsive 10.25-inch infotainment screen, and little in the cabin suggests “bargain basement” cost-cutting.
The modest 43.7kWh battery delivers 113bhp, sending the C3 from rest to 100km/h in 10.4 seconds. That won’t trouble hot hatches, but it’s perfectly adequate. On the road, it feels less sharp than a Renault 5, but it handles confidently, corners well and proves pleasingly easy to steer.
Citroën’s hydraulic bump stops feature for the first time on a C3, and they work well in both urban and open-road settings. The simplified drivetrain means there is no regenerative braking, so there’s no one-pedal driving — a trait that will feel familiar to anyone stepping out of an ICE car.
All told, this is a genuine value-for-money EV that never feels cheap or underdeveloped. It may not deliver the most thrills in the segment, but Citroën has produced a customer-focused car, and that emphasis should serve it well.
It’s easy to see a bright future for it.
