Summary
The Citroën ë-C3 is an all-new small electric hatchback, similar in size to the Peugeot e-208 and Vauxhall Corsa Electric. It was launched in 2024, with the petrol-powered C3 following along a few months later.
The ë-C3 leads a push for more affordable electric cars, with Citroën emphasising its value for money rather than advancements in technology or luxuries. It’s also another way of saying it’s a bit austere, with fewer gadgets and gizmos than some of its rivals.
The Citroën ë-C3 is aimed at an urban audience, with a battery range that is perfectly suitable for day-to-day driving around town. Its official battery range of just under 200 miles will be more than adequate for most potential customers, but will not be ideal for regular longer journeys.
Initial reviews from the European launch have been positive, with journalists praising its comfort and interior space. “We think Citroën is on to a winner”, says Auto Trader’s Catherine King, praising the car’s “decent range and fun styling”, while Autocar’s Mark Tisshaw concludes that the small EV is “simple, without feeling cheap.”
Shane Wilkinson of Driving Electric explains that the ë-C3 “doesn’t set any new benchmarks”, as there is a now a vast field of electric cars with a wider breadth of ability on the market for more money, “but on value alone it should still cause a stir in the EV world.”
As of October 2024, the Citroën ë-C3 currently holds a New Car Expert Rating of A, with a score of 78%. Aided by the car’s affordable running costs, this score could change significantly in the near future after safety testers Euro NCAP put the EV through its paces. Check back soon!
Citroën ë-C3 highlights
- Excellent value for money EV
- Comfortable ride
- Respectable build quality
- Good packaging maximises interior space
Citroën ë-C3 lowlights
- Battery range relatively limited
- Some cheap materials evident
- Basic in terms of equipment
- Noisy (for an EV) at motorway speeds
Key specifications
Body style: Small five-door hatchback
Engines: single electric motor
Price: From £21,990 on-road
Launched: Summer 2024
Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA
Image gallery
Reviews, road tests and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 10 / 10
“The new all-electric Citroen e-C3 supermini offers the perfect blend of space, ride comfort and low running costs.”
Author: Alex Ingram
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Score: 9 / 10
“The new ë-C3 is one of the cheapest electric cars you can buy and, with its decent range and fun styling, we think Citroën is on to a winner.”
Author: Catherine King
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Feel-good supermini does the basics well and does so with real integrity. The Citroën ë-C3 is simple, without feeling cheap.”
Author: Mark Tisshaw
Read review
Score: 9 / 10
“The Citroën ë-C3 is an impressive small EV at a price point that should merit very strong consideration from those looking to electrify on a budget.”
Author: Sean Keywood
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The new Citroen e-C3 is an Aldi in a Sainsbury’s world where car manufacturers have over-specified superminis. It’s good value but doesn’t feel cheap, with Citroen putting the money where customers will benefit, namely in the comfort, packaging and a pint-sized electric drivetrain.”
Author: Phil McNamara
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8.4 / 10
“The Citroen e-C3 is one of the first affordable mainstream EVs, slotting easily into the lives of those making the switch to electric.”
Author: Charlie Harvey, Alex Ingram
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“The Citroen e-C3 is great value and really likeable – but low electric range still limits it for some buyers.”
Author: Tom Wiltshire
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Citroen’s latest supermini doesn’t set any new benchmarks, but on value alone it should still cause a stir in the EV world.”
Author: Shane Wilkinson
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“A comfy and rather charming little car that’s great value yet also has a useful range. It’s really brilliant – and not only because it’s one of the most affordable electric cars on sale.”
Author: Vicky Parrott
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The new Citroen e-C3 has two things going for it that lift it above the humdrum so ably represented by its predecessor: comfort and price. That softly-sprung comfort comes at the cost of dynamic sparkle, whereas its price merely blows a resounding raspberry at the cost of both petrol and all-electric rivals.”
Read review
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Great value, interesting and excellent comfort.”
Author: Phil McNamara
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Model reviewed: Range overview (including petrol C3)
Score: 8 / 10
“What we have here is a car that redefines the term “value for money”, and whether you buy electric or petrol you’ll get into it every day with a big smile on your face. Though a little rough around the edges, the new Citroen C3 and e-C3 are cars that over-deliver on expectations and will tick most boxes for most people.”
Author: Will Dron
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Citroen e-C3 is a likeable little thing, offering good comfort, a useable real world range, and an impressively low price tag.”
Author: Peter Rawlins
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Citroën ë-C3 is a very affordable electric SUV that offers decent quality and is good to drive.”
Author: Neil Winn
Read review
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
No safety rating
As of October 2024, the Citroën ë-C3 has not been tested by Euro NCAP.
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
As of October 2024, the Citroën ë-C3 has not been lab tested by Green NCAP.
The Green NCAP programme measures exhaust pollution (which is zero for an electric car) and energy efficiency. Electric cars are much more energy-efficient than combustion cars, so the ë-C3 is likely to score very highly in Green NCAP testing whenever it ever takes place. Check back again soon.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
No reliability rating
As of October 2024, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Citroën ë-C3 to generate a reliability rating.
The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using workshop and extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy, sourced from both official dealerships and independent workshops.
As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the ë-C3, we’ll publish the results here.
Running cost rating
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
| Battery range | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| EV models | 199 miles | B | 198 – 199 miles | B – B |
| Electrical efficiency | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| EV models | 4.5 m/KWh | A | 4.5 – 4.5 m/KWh | A – A |
| Insurance group | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| All models | 14 | A | 14 – 14 | A – A |
| Service and maintenance | Cost | Score |
| Year 1 | £131 | A |
| Year 2 | £350 | A |
| Year 3 | £542 | A |
| Year 4 | £741 | A |
| Year 5 | £1,022 | A |
| Overall | £2,786 | A |
The Citroën ë-C3 is a very affordable car to own and run, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.
The car’s battery range of 199 miles on a single charge is impressive when you consider its compact size, and it’s electrical efficiency (the EV equivalent of miles per gallon for a petrol or diesel car) is excellent.
Insurance premiums should be cheap, and the predicted servicing costs for the ë-C3 over the first five years of ownership are excellent, too.
Awards
Trophies, prizes and awards that the Citroën ë-C3 has received
2024
- Auto Express Awards – Car of the Year + Best Affordable Electric Car
- Carbuyer Awards – Best Small Electric Car
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Citroën ë-C3, you might also be interested in these alternatives
BYD Dolphin | Dacia Spring | Fiat 500e | GWM Ora 03 | Kia Soul EV | Mini Cooper Electric | Peugeot e-208 | Renault 5 | Vauxhall Corsa Electric
More information
More news, reviews and information about the Citroën C3 family at The Car Expert
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