Test Car Specifications
Model: 2025 Citroen e-C3 Max Standard Range
Price: e-C3 from £22,095; Max from £23,795
Motor: 83kW electric motor
Battery: 44kWh lithium ferro phosphate
Transmission: single-speed automatic, front-wheel drive
Power: 113hp
Torque: 120Nm
Emissions: 0g/km
Range: 201 miles
0-62mph: 10.4 seconds
Top speed: 82mph
Boot space: 310 litres
Styling
The C3 looks quite different from its predecessor, and not just because it sits a little further from the ground. The boxy, squared-off look won't suit everyone, but it's definitely more modern and more stylish than before. It definitely has an air of the baby off-roader about it, even though it is not even offered in all-wheel-drive form. But with some cool colour options and a little scope for personalisation, it's sure to tempt a few customers through the door of their local Citroen dealer.
Interior
Although the C3 might look a bit more grown-up than before, it’s still a small, cheap car, so perhaps we shouldn’t expect too many wonders from the cabin. Plastics in there are a bit cheap, which is no surprise when profit margins are so tight, and there’s a lifeless dull feel to many of the materials. But it seems relatively solid, and nothing seems likely to fall off any time soon, even with the rigours of family life to contend with.
Happily, Citroen has found a few ways to liven things up in there, not least with the inclusion of a fabric covering for the dashboard – a cheap and effective measure – and some screens. There’s a big 10.25-inch touchscreen in the centre of the dash, which is bright and sharp, if a bit fiddly in places, and there’s a digital instrument display. The latter display may not be the snazziest, but it’s clear and easy to use, and it gives you all the information you need.
The thing we really struggle with, however, is the little red labels on the doors, which say things like “feel good” and “be happy”. The positive messaging might have played well in some Parisian Teams meeting, but it’s infuriatingly twee when you see it up close. Imagine the ribbing you’ll get if you take your friends out with that rubbish plastered across the doors.
Practicality
Whether you like the e-C3's design or not, there's no doubt the boxy shape of the e-C3 makes it noticeably more practical inside. The space in the cabin is quite impressive compared with rivals like the VW Polo, and seating four adults comfortably won't be a problem. With bags of headroom across the board and a sensible (if not spectacular) amount of rear legroom, it's more than roomy enough for most. And the 310-litre boot may not be quite as spectacular as that of a Skoda Fabia, but it's way bigger than that of, say, a Toyota Yaris.
Performance
At present, there's only one powertrain available for the e-C3, and that's the Standard Range system with a 44kWh battery and 83kW electric motor. Citroen does have more potent and longer-range options in its arsenal, and the use of the 'Standard Range' moniker suggests another version may be on the way.
For now, though, it's Standard Range or nothing, so the 113hp motor drives the front wheels, offering an official 0-62mph time of 10.4 seconds and a top speed of 82mph. But it feels faster than that initially, thanks to the instant grunt of the motor, which unleashes all of its might immediately, then runs out of puff as you push it further. Still, it's ideal for nipping about town, and it can hold its own on the motorway.
Range is a little more of an issue, with the official figures suggesting you'll get 201 miles from a full charge. In the real world, that's probably more like 180, and on the motorway we're talking 150 or so, but if most of your miles are done around town, that should still be sufficient.
In terms of charging, a public rapid charger can fill the e-C3's battery at up to 100kW, taking the state of charge from 20 per cent to 80 per cent in just under half an hour. And using a domestic 7kW 'wallbox' charging point, you will easily fill the battery overnight or while at work.
Ride & Handling
These days, Citroens are built for comfort rather than sportiness, and the e-C3 is no different. With the extra height, light steering and no hint of performance from the powertrain, it's no surprise to find the e-C3 does not encourage spirited driving. It rolls quite a lot in corners and there's no sense of connection or engagement through the wheel, so look elsewhere if you're after something to rag around country lanes.
If, on the other hand, you're more likely to beetle around town, the e-C3 will be far better suited. Visibility is decent, the light steering makes it manoeuvrable and the small footprint ensures it's easy to thread through narrow gaps. It's the ideal urban car, especially as the ride is more supple than in most comparable hatchbacks. It may not be quite as silky as Citroen would have you believe, but it's more comfortable than most other cars of this size.
It isn't all that quiet, though, because the motor makes a surprisingly audible whine and the soundproofing isn't that brilliant, so you get a fair bit of road noise in the cabin, especially at higher speeds.
Value
Electric cars often command a premium over conventionally powered equivalents, and the e-C3 is no exception. But the standard C3 is so cheap and the premium is so small that the electric Citroen still feels impressively cheap. Prices start at £22,095, which is just over £3,000 more than the basic 1.2-litre petrol option, and you get all the same equipment.
Basic Plus versions come with 17-inch alloy wheels and a two-tone roof, as well as the 10.25-inch touchscreen, air conditioning and rear parking sensors, while the more upmarket, £23,795 Max version tested here gets a reversing camera, heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, not to mention wireless phone charging and tinted rear windows. Naturally, both versions come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration tech as standard.
Verdict
In many ways, the e-C3 makes a lot of sense. It's easy to drive, great around town, and the electric motor is well suited to a car of this footprint. It's also competitively priced. But the raised ride height suggests capability that a short-range, single-motor electric car simply can't yet deliver, so those who want to travel further afield might prefer a petrol-powered variant. Still, as an urban runabout, the e-C3 is a solid, if not exactly sensational, choice.
