Citroen e-C3 review (2024)

Read Caroline’s Citroën e-C3 review to find out all about Citroën’s new compact electric car, which is expected to be available in Ireland before the end of the year.

The new Citroën e-C3 will arrive in Ireland in the second half of 2024, and will likely become one of the most affordable electric cars available when it does.

Citroën has a history of producing excellent small cars, such as the 2CV, Saxo and previous generations of the C3.

The brand is keen to offer choice to buyers in the small car market, so the new C3 will be available with petrol, mild hybrid and electric options.

The new e-C3 features a 44kWh battery, a range of up to 320km (WLTP) and is designed to offer more space, more comfort and more individuality.

I travelled to Austria with Citroën Ireland to take a closer look.

modeling

Citroën has completely redesigned the new generation of its small cars, the C3 and e-C3. While it’s similar in size to the previous model, it’s taller and boxier, with a design heavily influenced by SUVs. That means it sits higher off the ground than before, with a taller bonnet and bolder styling elements like the skid plate and wheel arches. Designed in France and built in Slovakia, the new C3 and e-C3 are also the first Citroën models to feature the brand’s new oval badge. A range of colours are available, along with contrasting roof and front fascias and clips on the C-pillars. Wheel sizes range from 16 to 17 inches. LED headlights are standard.

Internal

The C3 and e-C3 feature an all-new cabin design, with a minimalist design that makes the driver and passengers feel calm and relaxed. Highlights include the new Citroën ‘Advanced Comfort’ seats, which have thicker foam and add a lounge-like feel, finished in cool grey and black. There’s a plush grey fabric material on the dashboard that adds some style, although there are some rough black plastics on the doors. But for an economy car, it’s acceptable, and there are no squeaks or rattles in this cabin.

Citroën has also introduced a new compact steering wheel and a digital head-up display that works really well. The car also gets a new 10.25-inch touchscreen, though this won’t be standard on entry-level models. Instead, the car will come with a smartphone dock that will allow users to access music and maps via apps. It might be worth expanding to a touchscreen for this car, as it looks more impressive and interacts well. It also comes with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for seamless connectivity. Other features include wireless smartphone charging and automatic climate control.

Practicality

The new C3 is around 100mm taller than the previous model, making entry and exit much easier. This is a particularly nice small car for rear-seat passengers, which feels very spacious. It’s a bit wider than before, and there’s more headroom, legroom and elbowroom. The two-tone interior makes it a welcoming seat, and there are practical features for rear-seat passengers, such as two USB-C ports, pockets behind the seats and door storage bins.

The new car has a 310-litre boot volume, which is about 10 litres more than the current car, but it’s good to know that the new car has not lost any space by switching to an electric powertrain. The boot has a decent depth and is shaped to fit things in. There are no clever features like a split boot floor to hide charging cables, but the rear seats can be folded in a 60:40 split.

Battery

The new e-C3 uses a new 44kWh battery that gives it a range of up to 320km (WLTP). It’s an LFP battery, chosen because it’s more cost-effective, and Citroën is the first of the Stellantis Group’s automotive brands to use it. Although it doesn’t come with a heat pump, it proved to be very efficient during my time with the e-C3, consuming an average of just 11.5 kWh per 100km.

Later it will be equipped with a smaller capacity battery with a range of about 200 kilometers.

drive

The C3 and e-C3 are built on a new platform called the Intelligent Vehicle Platform. The platform is highly efficient and flexible enough to accommodate an internal combustion engine. On the road, the e-C3 offers a smooth and comfortable ride – if not particularly fast. It uses a 113 hp electric motor and has an acceleration time of 0-100 km/h of 11 seconds. That’s reasonable for a small car, but not fast for an electric car! This is clearly a small car that focuses on efficiency and comfort. The C3 features Citroën’s progressive hydraulic cushion suspension system for the first time, so this car covers the road gently. The raised height also provides a more comfortable ride when driving over speed bumps and potholes in urban and suburban driving. The electric version adds a reassuring weight behind the steering wheel, so it feels solid when turning, although it’s not particularly fun to drive. But for an economy car that will probably spend most of its time in towns and suburbs, it provides an enjoyable driving experience.

New safety features will also be introduced, such as Active Safety Braking, Active Lane Departure Warning and Speed ​​Limit Sign Recognition. The new ‘e-Routes’ app will allow you to plan your journey, monitor charging status and battery level. The MyCitroën app will manage charging schedules and preheating or precooling the vehicle.

TOLL

7.4 kW AC charging is standard. DC fast charging with a power of up to 100 kW can charge the battery from 20-80% in just 26 minutes.

Price

Three trim levels will be available in Ireland: You, Plus and Max, with varying levels of equipment. Pricing will be announced closer to the Irish launch in November this year.

in conclusion

We are starting to see the rise of affordable small electric cars like the Dacia Spring and BYD Dolphin. The Citroen e-C3 is part of a new wave of small electric cars designed and built in Europe that will make electric cars more affordable and popular.

In Europe, the e-C3 is priced at less than €25,000. While Irish pricing has yet to be confirmed, it will likely be one of the most affordable electric cars.

Giving buyers choice is also a key part of Citroën’s philosophy with this car, so if you like the look of the car but don’t want to go electric, Irish buyers can opt for a petrol manual or petrol mild-hybrid automatic.

Essentially, this is a small car with a lot of personality, with a stylish look inspired by a small SUV that should be a hit in the market and attract many fans. It’s also a very good small car for people, with a decent amount of trunk space and a bright and airy back seat.

The new Citroen e-C3 is great for practicality and efficiency, and it’s also very lovable and solid! If the price is right, it will be a popular choice in the new car market.

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By Caroline Kidd

Founder and Editor of Changing Lanes, Irish Car of the Year judge

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