Citroen e:C3 Aircross (2025 - )

When Citroen launched its striking e:C3 last year it sent shockwaves through the industry for all the right reasons. We have become oh so accustomed to paying over-the-top prices for electric models that tend to cost about £10k more than their ICE counterparts. But Citroen changed all that by introducing its five-door EV with prices starting at less than £22k. That price-tag even made the Chinese carmakers sit up and listen - it was that competitive.

Now we have the e:C3 Aircross, a compact SUV that is available with petrol and hybrid powertrains (called the C3 Aircross) or with full electrification, which is what we are concentrating on here.

Customers can choose from two generously equipped trims called PLUS, priced at £22,990, and MAX, costing £24,990. Both feature a 44kWh battery with 113hp electric motor for a range of up to 188 miles on a full charge. If that limited range is an issue, Citroen is launching a version with a larger battery later in the year
We opted for a pre-production version of the e:C3 Aircross MAX for our test drive.
 

If you imagine the e:C3 and give it the SUV treatment, then you have the e:C3 Aircross – a compact SUV with plenty of head turning appeal. Our range-topping MAX version featured a squared off front end with snazzy split headlights, integrated fog lights and chunky bumper units. There are distinctive rear light clusters, a contrast colour roof, privacy glass and striking 17-inch alloy wheels.

Moving inside, there is a simplistic and minimalist layout with super-comfy cushioned seats for all occupants. The main focal point is a 10.25-inch touchscreen with wireless access to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a reversing camera, plus a navigation set-up with real-time traffic updates and speed camera warnings. There is a clever e-ROUTES application that has been developed for Citroen vehicles to help make journey planning simpler. It will monitor the battery charge levels in real time, while offering the best charging areas along the planned route.
 

The main driving data is viewed on a narrow driver information display behind the steering wheel. While there are separate controls for all the climate settings. The seats, along with the steering wheel, can be heated against the winter chill, and with the slightly elevated positioning, driver visibility is excellent.
And another feature we really liked, which may sound a little odd, is the physical key. 

There are so many EVs these days that have no start/stop button so you can walk away from the car and then start doubting if it’s still running or not. No such issue with a proper key. If we are going to be really picky, then there are a few hard, cheaper-looking surfaces throughout the cabin, but don’t forget the price-tag.
 

Powering the e:C3 Aircross is a 44kWh battery paired to an electric motor producing 113hp and 123Nm of torque. While it’s not the fastest EV out there, the compact B-SUV can reach 62mph in 12.9 seconds and tops out at 89mph. And to be brutally honest, that will be plenty quick enough for most drivers, who similarly to Citroen, prioritise comfort over sheer pace.
 

That said; the e:C3 Aircross is no slouch either. With instant torque, it’s nippy through town with plenty of zip away from traffic lights and great driver visibility. It can sit comfortably at 70mph on fast dual carriageways, although that rather limited WLTP-tested range of 188 miles, will drop like a stone at faster speeds. Then on the open road, the front-wheel drive e:C3 glides smoothly at 60mph, maintaining a stable and balanced feel through curves, with excellent grip and no noticeable body roll. 

The cabin remains impressively quiet, blocking out wind and tyre sound unless you are travelling at higher speeds when refinement levels do take a bit of a hit. Although there are no drive modes as such, there is a C (for Comfort) button that reduces the regenerative braking strength slightly for a more refined ride. By default, the car starts up without the C button activated. And special mention to Citroen’s patented Advanced Comfort suspension system that absorbs bumps and dips along the way and can make any uneven surface seem smoother.
 

The design of the new Citroen e:C3 Aircross may take its inspiration from the Oli concept car, but it certainly seems to be the more mature of the two. It boasts strong kerb appeal thanks to its upright stance and eye-catching design cues. The vehicle stretches 4,395mm in length 1,850mm across (2,020mm with mirrors unfolded), 1,660mm tall and has a wheelbase of 2,672mm. Those dimensions result in a spacious cabin with a surprising amount of rear passenger room.

While the ICE-powered C3 Aircross is available as a seven-seater, the electrified version is only a five-seater. Up front, there’s bundles of space for two six footers to sit comfortably, and provided the seats are not pushed right the way back, a couple more adults or three youngsters can fit in the back. The boot can swallow 460 litres of luggage and this capacity increases to 1,600 litres with the 60:40 split-folding rear seats dropped flat. The adjustable boot floor means you can have the car with a completely flat loading area if required.

Additionally, throughout the cabin, there are numerous storage compartments, including a decent-sized glovebox, a small cubby beneath the front centre armrest, wide door bins, seat back pockets with a separate section for phones, two front cup holders, a wireless charging pad and some trays. When it comes to charging the e:C3 Aircross, the 44kWh battery can be boosted from 20 to 80 per cent in 26 minutes via a 100kW rapid charger or about 2 hours, 50 minutes if connected to a 7kW home wallbox. It’s worth noting that an extended range version will be launched later this year.
 

The Citroen C3 Aircross line-up is available with a choice of petrol, hybrid or electric powertrains with prices starting from £20,240 for the pure petrol version in PLUS grade. Our range-topping e:C3 Aircross MAX cost £24,990, but the hybrid version is slightly more expensive at £25,740. There were no added options on the test car, so what you see is what you get. And that’s just fine in our opinion as the e:C3 Aircross has everything you could need from a compact family car.

With the Government imminently withdrawing or reducing most of the incentives to buy an electric vehicle, it’s really good news that mainstream carmakers such as Citroen, rather than just the Chinese brands, are developing models that are similarly priced to their ICE-powered stablemates. But for now at least there are some financial rewards for going down the electrified route. There is no road tax and the car is free from Congestion Charge and Ultra Low Emission Zone fees. But, as we mentioned, there will be changes to these perks this year. Anyone considering the e:C3 Aircross as a business car will see an attractive Benefit in Kind rating of just two per cent.

The e:C3 Aircross comes with a three year, 60,000-mile warranty package which increases to eight years or 100,000 miles at 70 per cent capacity for the battery.

Insurance group ratings for the car are yet to be announced.
 

There really is a lot to like about the Citroen e:C3 Aircross. Whenever we hear a model is being launched at a bargain basement price, it’s easy to jump to conclusions about corners being cut somewhere along the line. But that’s not so with this model. It’s a great looking car with plenty of head-turning appeal. It’s well equipped, easy to drive and covers practicality bases well too.

The range isn’t the best, but there is a long range model coming to market later this year for anyone needing the extra mileage. But, all in all, we really liked this funky model, especially the price-tag.