Citroen e-C3 Aircross Review 2025

For the first time, there's a fully electric version of the Citroen C3 Aircross small SUV. With the three-cylinder engine being one of the less impressive elements of the combustion-engined model, it seems like Citroen is onto a winner with the battery-powered e-C3 Aircross. But is that definitely the case? Read our full Citroen e-C3 Aircross review to find out.

The original Citroen C3 Aircross wasn't all that different from the contemporary C3 hatchback. That's all changed for the second-generation version, which has experienced a growth spurt — we're talking an expansion significant enough that Citroen has even managed to squeeze a third row of seats into it. 

Before you get too excited, that last detail isn't relevant to the all-electric Citroen e-C3 Aircross we're focused upon here. It simply isn't possible to package an extra couple of seats with its high-voltage battery pack, so it leaves the high occupancy stuff to the petrol- and mild hybrid-powered Citroen C3 Aircross, which we've reviewed separately. 

The thing is, those last two seats aren't the most accommodating and access isn't the easiest, plus they also sap a bit of boot space. Without them, the e-C3 Aircross is able to carry an impressive amount of clobber, managing 460 litres with the second-row seats in use, while those occupying them have more legroom as the bench is mounted slightly further back.

Attempting to appear cheap and cheerful rather than cheap and nasty, the inside of the e-C3 Aircross comes with various touches, including French landmarks and iconography worked into the rearmost side window heating elements and labels on the door pulls advising you to 'have fun' and 'be cool'. We're less sure about the last bit but appreciate Citroen's attempts at lightening the mood. 

The entry-level Citroen e-C3 Aircross Standard Range comes with the same 44kWh battery pack as the smaller Citroen e-C3. Its extra weight means an inevitable drop in range but not by much — it dips by all of 11 miles to 188 miles. At colder times of year you might struggle to crack 150 miles, which could see the 54kWh Extended Range be the more popular choice. Depending on the trim level, its WLTP Combined cycle driving range is quoted at 248-249 miles. 

Only one motor option is available and it's not all that powerful at 113PS. While the 136 Hybrid version has more poke and less weight to haul about, that doesn't tell the full story. The e-C3 Aircross ends up being the more pleasant to drive thanks to the smooth, effortless nature of its drive system, while the combustion engine models feel like they need to be noisily thrashed should you want to make decent progress. 

In terms of looks, the Citroen e-C3 Aircross has lost the rounded, friendly looks of the outgoing model in favour of boxier proportions and sharp lines, a theme which has been spreading throughout the brand's range. In the process it's also lost a bit of its identity. From its side profile it looks scarcely different from the closely related Vauxhall Frontera Electric. 

One thing that's remained is the sense of fine value. There used to be a big gap between the prices of electric Citroens and their petrol-powered counterparts but that's narrowed significantly. Starting at £21,095 including the Electric Car Grant discount, the Citroen e-C3 Aircross is the best part of £3500 less expensive than the C3 Aircross Hybrid. 

A great deal is made about the Advanced Comfort suspension used on all versions of the Citroen e-C3 Aircross, which use patented components to help iron out imperfections in the road surface. While the car rides more smoothly than its rivals, it's not as wafty as the firm's larger models, including the Citroen C4. 

We wonder if Citroen could have got away with softening the suspension a touch further, as the car remains reasonably flat even as cornering speeds rise, trading some extra roll in return for additional comfort. It's surprisingly capable on a twisty road and the steering feels pleasantly natural, with a nice weight to its power assistance. 

The e-C3 Aircross is about 200kg heavier than its combustion-engined counterpart and when really pushed, you do start to notice this. Its tyres starting to make a bit of a racket sooner as the grip begins to run out, but most drivers are unlikely to notice much of a difference. 

What's of more relevance for day-to-day driving is the refinement. Wind noise at higher speeds is very noticeable. 

Whether you go for the Standard Range or Extended Range battery, all Citroen e-C3 Aircross models are powered by the same motor driving the front wheels through a single-speed automatic transmission.

Power and torque outputs are modest 113PS and 124Nm respectively, figures which don't exactly make for brisk performance. The Standard Range version takes 11.7 seconds to reach 62mph from rest, while the 29kg heavier Extended Range car requires 13.0 seconds to do the same. For comparison, the petrol-engined C3 Aircross Turbo 100 can do the 0-62mph in 10.6 seconds, while the Hybrid 136 manages it in 10.1 seconds. 

The thing is, achieving those kinds of times or anywhere close to them requires thrashing that unrefined three-cylinder engine to within an inch of its life. No such drama with the e-C3 Aircross, which just quietly gets on with the job.

It's sprightly enough off the line and up to about 30mph — it's only when you're trying to get it up to and beyond 60mph that things feel a bit more laboured. 

The Citroen e-C3 Aircross hasn't yet been tested by Euro NCAP, nor has any other car using the same Stellantis Smart Car underpinnings, such as the smaller Citroen e-C3 or the Fiat Grande Panda Electric.

All versions of the e-C3 Aircross come with six airbags and lots of safety technology, including blind spot detection, a driver attention monitor and lane-keeping assistance. It's also impressive to see a head-up display as standard on such a cheap car – this should help keep your eyes on the road for longer. 

Don't expect to be hauling anything heavy with the Citroen e-C3 Aircross.

Models with the Standard Range battery are only rated to tow up to 350kg of braked trailer, so a tow bar on the back won't be good for much else than attaching a bicycle carrier. The Extended Range version does slightly better, managing up to 550kg.

While it's a shame the Citroen e-C3 Aircross misses out on the combustion-engined version's seven-seater layout, it's worth pointing out that when the third-row is in use it leaves you with all of 40 litres of boot space and, when folded, you've only got 330 litres to play with when used as a five-seater.

There's a much more impressive 460 litres in those only fitted with five seats — that applies whether you've gone for the C3 Aircross or the e-C3 Aircross. Fold the second row seat bench over and the total capacity stands at 1600 litres. 

In terms of storage space away from the boot, there's the usual cubby under the central armrest and further forward, a couple of cupholders and a tray for your phone, which in Max-specification models is equipped with a wireless charging pad.

The section of the dashboard above the glovebox is also shaped in such a way that it can be used as a storage shelf.

Although the Citroen e-C3 Aircross's interior labels encouraging its occupants to 'have fun' and 'be cool' might be viewed as naff, they at least show considerable thought has gone into uplifting the cabin. You also get some neat little 'Easter eggs' in the form of the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral and the Gallic rooster (France's national symbol incorporated in the heating elements of the tiny rear side windows next to the tailgate

There is a sizeable helping of cheaper-feeling plastics in various parts of the interior, which is to be expected at this price. It's mostly kept below your eyeline, with nicer elements such as the fabric-coated dashboard dominating your view. 

It all seems put together well — we didn't find any build quality issues with any of the cars we have driven.

The Citroen e-C3 Aircross has a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen which works well. It's responsive enough and has a logical, almost disarmingly simple menu system, while Max trim level models include a smart-looking 3D navigation setup. 

While the related Vauxhall Frontera Electric pairs the infotainment screen with a similarly sized digital instrument cluster, the e-C3 Aircross instead uses a much smaller, simpler display set high within the dashboard, above steering wheel height. It gives all the information you realistically need, and is easy enough to read quickly.

Starting at £21,595 inclusive of the government's Electric Car Grant discount, the entry-level Citroen e-C3 Aircross Plus 113hp Standard Range is less than £500 more expensive than the cheapest petrol-engined model.

As for the rest of the e-C3 Aircross range, prices (inclusive of the ECG discount) are £23,495 for the Plus Extended Range, £23,595 for the Max Standard Range and £25,495 for the Max Extended Range.

Incidentally, the ECG disccount is only the lower £1500 amount rather than the full £3750, as it's partially dictated by the carbon footprint of the car's production.

Still, it's a very affordable car to start with, so any discount is a bit of a bonus. The only comparable car in terms of practicality at this price is the Vauxhall Frontera Electric, a close relative from the same Stellantis portfolio of manufacturers. The least expensive version of that car is £23,995 but that's not yet including the ECG which we expect will also represent a £1500 discount. 

To get anything else as practical, you'll need to spend a lot more. The MG S5 EV costs upwards of £26,245, inclusive of a manufacturer discount of £2500, while the cheapest Kia EV3 is £33,005 and includes no discount at all.

Electric cars are no longer exempt from Vehicle Excise Duty (VED), so it's the same £195 to tax the Citroen e-C3 Aircross from year two onwards as it is its petrol and mild hybrid equivalents.

Insurance groups are still to be confirmed confirmed but we expect the e-C3 Aircross will be a few rungs higher than its petrol and mild hybrid counterparts, although premiums shouldn't prove too punchy. 

Citroen e-C3 Aircross: Range and charging

Standard Range versions of the Citroen e-C3 Aircross can travel up to 188 miles on a full charge according to the official WLTP Combined cycle figure. For many people that will be plenty, but at colder times of year a real-world range of 150 miles could prove difficult to achieve.

If you want a bigger buffer, the Extended Range versions increases this to 249 miles if you go with the Plus specification, although upgrading to the Max trim does lose you a solitary mile of range. 

A 100kW DC charging capacity is about what to expect for an EV of this size and price, although the the Hyundai Inster does slightly better at 120kW. Providing you're using a powerful enough charger and conditions are optimal, a 20-80% charge will take 26 minutes for the Standard Range battery and 28 minutes for the Extended Range.

Doing the same with a 7.4kW domestic wallbox is going to take 4 hours 10 minutes for the Standard Range model and 5 hours 5 minutes for the Extended Range.

Trim structure across the Citroen e-C3 Aircross range mirrors that of its combustion-engined counterpart, with a simple choice of Plus and Max. 

The Citroen e-C3 Aircross Plus includes the following equipment as standard:

• 17-inch alloy wheels
• Dark-tinted rear windows
• LED headlights with automatic main beam
• Interior ambient lighting
• Heated and electrically folding mirrors
• Rain-sensing wipers
• 10.25-inch touchscreen for the infotainment system
• Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
• Climate control
• Rear parking sensors
• Reversing camera 

The Citroen e-C3 Aircross Max adds:

• LED rear lights
• Front fog lights 
• Auto-dimming interior rear-view mirror
• Integrated 3D navigation
• Wireless smartphone charging pad
• Heated steering wheel
• Electrically heated windscreen
• Heated front seats
• Front parking sensors