Citroen e-C3 Aircross Review

Introduction

So, where does the Aircross fit in? Well, it’s a bit bigger than the dinky e-C3 hatchback, and is intended to offer a more practical, family-focussed electric SUV offering while still keeping things compact and affordable – hence a starting price of £25,000 and a range of up to 250 miles. For that money, I think it could be a big hit.

We haven’t driven it just yet, but you can find out everything there is to know about the Aircross, right here. Check out Nicola’s video of the Citroen e-C3, too, as it shares a platform, motors and a lot of its styling with this new, e-C3 Aircross.  

Styling and dimensions

The Citroen e-C3 Aircross is 4.39-metres long, so nearly 38cm longer than the C3, and it's quite a bit taller, too. but I think it's still well proportioned. I can see a few Oli-inspired details in there; the front end is the most obvious homage to the Oli, with the sharply vertical nose and HUGE new Citroen logo. Then there are the three light segments on each side, and the chunky silver skid plate under the numberplate. The colourful little trim inserts around the car unclip, too, and you can choose different ones if you want to make your car look a little more distinctive – or if you just fancy a change! Those roof rails are actually functional, too, and will be able to cope with up to 200kg, which is enough for a roof tent or a family-sized bike rack. 

Interior

Obviously, the bigger derriére on the C3 Aircross means more space and practicality inside, and if you go for one of the petrol models then you can even have the C3 as a seven-seater, which is really impressive stuff. Unfortunately, the electric e-C3 Aircross won't have the option of seven seats as it’s so hard to package them around the battery that’s tucked away in the floor of the car.   

There’s a good amount of space in the second row of seats, though, and the seat backs recline in a 50/50 split - I suspect that'll be a hit with the kids. 

Up front is what I call a dashboard, and what Citroen is calling the ‘C-Zen lounge’. It’s designed so the driver and front passenger have a clean and uncluttered view forwards, with a 'Head-Up Display' that, to be honest, I initially thought was a normal readout. It's not beamed onto the windscreen, as with most head-up displays, but instead it's a projector that beams the speed and a few other useful bits of info on glossy black section between the top of the dash panel and the bottom of the windscreen. It's cheaper than a normal digital screen, but it works really well; so much better than not having a readout behind the wheel at all (something I really hated on the Volvo EX30). 

Every version of the e-C3 Aircross gets a 10.25-inch, colour infotainment touchscreen, angled slightly towards the driver. As you’d expect, it's compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so you can use all your phone's map and media apps on the car's screen. There’s also ChatGPT built in, just in case you need to know the name of Henry VIII’s third wife while on a journey.

Boot space

Even if you can’t have that third row of seats, you can have a massive boot – it’s 460 litres, which is around the same as a Kia Niro EV, and is 75-litres more than in a Volkswagen ID.3. Impressive for a fairly compact car at this price!

Battery, charging and efficiency

As we’ve mentioned, the Citroen e-C3 Aircross uses the same basic bits as the e-C3, and also the Vauxhall Frontera. and that means a new 113bhp electric motor powering the front wheels along with a 44kWh or 54kWh battery pack, giving between 186 and 250 miles of official range.  

The smaller battery is a LFP - or Lithium Ferro Phosphate – pack which is more bulky than the usual lithium-ion NMC batteries used in a lot of electric cars, but it’s also cheaper to make and should be more resistant to degradation too. 

Both of the e-C3 Aircross’s batteries have 100kW DC fast charging capability, which means the battery can get from 20 to 80 percent capacity in 26 minutes on a suitable rapid charger. Standard AC recharging can be done at up to 11kW, or plug into a normal 7kW home wallbox and the battery will be full in 7- or 9 hours depending on which battery you’ve got. 

Now, we need to talk about that motor, because 113bhp doesn’t sound like a lot. But, it's more power than was offered in the original Nissan Leaf and about the same as a 1.4-litre petrol engine, so should be adequate, if not exciting. I like a bit of performance, but I actually admire that Citroen realises that we don’t all need 600bhp in a family SUV.

Price and equipment

Prices and equipment for the e-C3 Aircross haven’t been finalised yet, but expect to see an entry-level version, 44kWh model starting at around £25,000 with cruise control, air-con and parking sensors, while higher spec versions will add a rear parking camera, automatic air conditioning, LED rear lights, heated seats and other luxuries and style upgrades.

Verdict

I mean, this is a car that’s usefully more spacious than a VW ID.3, but costs thousands less – it’s even challenging the MG4 for value for money. I’m sure it won’t be as plush as the ID.3, and that whole host of other electric family SUV and hatchback rivals, but a lot of buyers will be more than happy to go for a more basic car and save the cash. 

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