NEW Citroen e-C3 Review: The affordable EV we've been waiting for!
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- Опубліковано 20 жов 2024
- The 2024 Citroen e-C3 is a £22,000 electric car with an official WLTP range of 199 miles from a full charge of its 44kWh lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) battery. Along with the Dacia Spring, it is part of a new wave of much-needed electric cars with much lower starting prices, yet that still have decent range and appealing design.
In this CarGurus UK review, Vicky Parrott test drives the e-C3 as well as assessing how it fares for practicality, design, technology and performance. Would you consider this small Citroen as your first (or next) electric car?
Read Vicky's full Citroen e-C3 review: www.cargurus.c...
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#cargurusUK #citroenec3 #electriccar
We've had all the high end £40 to £50k plus EV's, but it's cars like this which will form the hub of the market for some time now.....
40k EVs are not high-end. They are low-end
Thanks, good review. We bought the Max this week.
We were waiting for an EV around €25.000, and 3 EV's were candidate. The Renault 5 E-tech, The Skoda Epiq and this Citroën ë-C3.
The Renault will have some feature that we wanted, like V2H, and also a nice "hot hatch" design, (but an NMC battery, which we don't prefer). The Epiq should come with a panorama roof . . . . but both EV's are due to arrive in late 2025, or even 2026.
The rest of the affordable EV's with a usable 200mls range, like the VW id2 and the Tesla model 2, are concepts that are talked about since 2020, but so far that is just talk and some sketches.
So, The Citroën won this race by a mile, and kept the promise for staying around the €25K mark.
Delivery in the Netherlands in September(ish).
What? The Renault 5 will be available at the end of the year and Volkswagen Group has said that the ID.2 is ready and will be revealed at the end of the year.
@@N1ckZ He's probably talking of the 25k€ R5 which will be available mid-2025, the ID.2 has been delayed recently
The Renault 5 interior is *very* cluttered and messy. Not a fan after seeing it in person.
Great review. One thing, please comment on width as well. Parking, country lanes, garages, all practical thinking for small car buyers. Many thanks
width of 1733 mm
Or you could just google it, it's not secret information
Very true. That's why people like the c3 picasso
As always, great review from Vicky Parrot!
I think they really have done their homework with this model, its nailed its breif, its going to be a big seller for those needing a daily run about town and the odd stretch on the motorway. With enough comforts not to be a pain to drive. We need more cars like this, not everyone wants or is happy to pay through the nose for all the bells and whistles, some people just want an honest and practical (for them) car. This will hopefully open the door and encourage other manufacturers to do the same instead of all making giant computers on wheels.
who needs suspension on roads as smooth as that chosen for the test run. I remember some Citroen 2CV promotions done in a plough field - that is the suspension needed in the UK
Our front drop-links have become an annual replacement - consumable item. Brake pads last longer.
Wow, is it me or can I see hints of Citroen prototype Ollie? Cool little car
It's a MILLION miles away from the Oli
This car has been in production in the Indian market before that concept car came about
It's cynical
Yup, design language is from the designer concept of the Oli, from the headlights to the simplicity of driver display. 310ltr boot space is a little small for me, if it was closer to 340-365 would be ideal!
i think the Oli was built on this same platform
This car will be even cheaper with dealer discounts - in the UK it will be head to head with the Corsa-e which is routinely and heavily discounted.
Less Corsa (which is still under Stellantis) but definitely more of a competitor with the Dacia Spring or whatever sorry excuse VW has left over.
eUP is cool but too neglected and expensive on a city car chassis that VW is desperate to replace with an SUV
There's also (in the Indian market) a cheaper, sub-100 mile EV with Lithium Iron chemistry and a 7 seater spacetourer version.
Obviously they couldn't come soon enough to Europe
@@toyotaprius79it's a proper B segment car made in Europe not a tiny budget Chinese city car like the spring
Citroën e C 3 is top 👍
GREAT, SIMPLE REVIEW. What about noise level? Can you compare to some city or compact petrol cars?
Telling someone to 'be happy' is like telling someone to 'calm down' - it tends to have the opposite effect. Apart from that and the Austin Allegro-esque square steering wheel, it looks like a fairly sensible run-around for normal people.
I though it was the Austin Allegro with the odd shaped steering wheel
@@allendavid4139 yes, quite right, I got my Austin's mixed up!
Congrats to Citroën on this one! 🎉
At one point there (7.10), I thought we were suddenly going to have a drone become and ex-drone. A decent looking car at a reasonable price…at last!
Excellent review thank you…
Hiya….great review… does the steering wheel adjust for reach please..? and will that key fold away..? 😊
I'm really hoping we get something similar in the US. I've read where Stellantis is supposed to offer one day a small Jeep based on the eC3. Would be a perfect replacement for my aging Jeep Patriot.
Great review. The range is not a huge problem for us, we have a 2019 eGolf with a WLTP of about 140 miles, which is fine for commuting to work, shopping, visiting friends etc. 190 miles is luxury!
As a second car such options are great but without expected too much, I think this e-C3 can be a first family car!
An enjoyable video review 😊
I read that the cheaper You-model doesn't have an entertainment screen. It has a phone holder instead. The screen you had for android auto is in Max-model which is 3-4k€ more expensive.
We ordered a VTR Sport. Really looking forward to it!
Looks a nice car and actually affordable even if it is £6k more than non EV. Having an ignition key is weird - why? No frunk which seems a missed opportunity.
No frunk is a missed oppertunity.
A bigger missed oppertunity is an option for more cheaper trims with less gizmos and gadgets including electronic keys.
But such frivolous things are now almost universal because of "competition" Read: chasing profit margins against the very inflation that profit created.
Its has no frunk because it rides on an ICE platform
@@Kurre. Stellantis claims the e-c3 is built on the "BEV-native Citroën Smart Car Platform". What is your source for saying it is an ICE platform?
@@wcoenen it shares it platform with a gas powered version of the same car…
What a wonderful cheap EV.
Its look ad an very very complete car. Congratulations Citrëon. And its more than an year before they get European competition. ( Buy buy VW)
Has it got a battery management system and a cooling and heating battery system
If you consider air cooling, yes.
What about charging?
Best review of the car so far. Thank you Vicky
£22k would have been a great price last year but with the Dacia Spring at £15k it's not as impressive. Still three cars coming out this year that are cheaper than the MG4 is a step in the right direction
To be fair to Citroen the Spring is significantly smaller, has a lower range and is far less powerful. I think it'll be great for city but eC3 is a very different vehicle by the looks of it.
@@davidk7262 That's worth mentioning, I'm just saying the price alone isn't notable. I'd also suggest that the differences might not justify the extra £7k
The 15 grand one does 0 62 in 16.1 seconds the one with OK performance is 0 62 in 13.7 is 18.and a half grand there are no cup holders medium trips hurt because the seats are do cheap it's under sprung and over dampened hay I'm seriously considering one but if I had the extra 4.5 grand I would not be the dacia
@@gingernutpreacher Apparently the two models are £15k and £16k so you might want to check again
@@sie4431 yes you're right I know where I got 18500 from it was for a ora I was looking at forget why I was looking think there ugly ad hell
Great looking little car and at last sensible pricing deserves to do well. Great review Vicky. It will be interesting to see how the new panda and Frontera compare as all based on the same chassis.
It's good to see a reviewer give a realistic assessment of rear compartment space, rather that the bias that has come to define other reviews, as the reviewers strain to rub the top of their head against the roof lining and complain about tight knee room, before declaring it a basket case (the camera invariably tells a different story).
Good review and there's definitely a lot to like about this car. The generous amount of shiny black plastic is hard to forgive though.
How many km could it travel at 110/120 km/h?
Um. Why do you keep saying every EC3 will have a touchscreen? The 23k version wasnt supposed to have one, unless they changed it?
Ideal city car, nice to see physical climate and basic touch screen
You could have bought a golf for that money 5 years ago. Now we are expected to find £22k for a 'cheap' electric supermini with a 150 miles range ...
The range is about 180 according to French Italian reviews and £22k is very reasonable as most are on a monthly lease ...who wants a Mk 8 Golf in any case with its ridiculous climate sliders and glitchy touch screen at £32k
I was shocked how much a humble Ford Focus costs today, so I guess we have to thank inflation for that.
However EVs are getting cheaper (thanks in part to battery prices coming down) so I'd be leasing rather than buying to let someone else worry about depreciation. Even this car might come down in price next year as new competitors arrive.
I do like the look of this car and currently have a petrol C3 which has been flawless and ideal as a city car doing 10-20 miles a day max.
An electric Golf ? No. So what's the point of your comment ? Ever heard of air pollution ? Climate change ? Net zero ? Not to mention it costs me 1.5 € to do 100 km in my Tesla model 3, and no service or repair or anything after 80 000 km. Not to mention safety regulations where not the same 5 years ago.
@@JonathanMorris777Nothing to do with inflation. Everything to do with filling the pandemic sales black hole and EV R&D costs. That's without taking into consideration that manufacturers need to narrow the gap between petrol/diesel/hybrid pricing and EV pricing. So certain models have been bumped up in price dramatically
@@robsmall6466 but EVs are getting cheaper every year.
How can you do long journeys? I'll keep my 15 year old C1 with 200K in miles
E-C3 looks promising, though those motivational phrases should be written in French, would be more Citroën like. something like !À vaillant cœur rien d'impossible! on the steering wheel. :)
They're bringing this to the states. The limited range will hurt sales immensely here unfortunately. 100 million people in the US rent their homes and charging will be a huge issue.
You forgot to tell about tiny rear doors clearance. Issue that is in any Stellantis small compact product like 208 or corsa. Just don't let people with spine problems sit in the back!
Fantastic to see European manufacturers fight back against the Chinese onslaught of state-sponsored vehicles. Looks like a good little runner, but with a strong presence on the road.
Those tags can be customised with whatever you want
I really like everything about this e-C3 featurewise. Still a bit pricey though.
ALL cars have rocketed in price, though...!
For example:
The entry-level VW Polo 1.0i Life Auto is £23,350
The entry-level Toyota Yaris Hybrid Auto is £22,640
And even the entry-level Vauxhall Corsa 1.2 Design is £22,265
Here in the EU the basic model has no infotainment screen, just a phone holder.
No rear air vents? 😱
I think if you are stumping up the money today and this car is your thing then a Mokka-e 50kwh can be had on a pre-reg for the same price or possibly less.
I will approach this somewhat obliquely…it seems the entire car market has been skewed, at least in the UK, by the heavy reliance on leasing for new car purchases. Thus we have developed the word ‘deposit’ to mean a non-returnable multiple of the monthly lease, it seems about x5 or so. It reminds me of when ‘credit cards’ were marketed in the 1960’s, leaving us with the utterly stupid use of the word ‘credit’ to mean debt. We have the word ‘deposit’ to mean neither that it ‘goes towards’ a full purchase, nor that it is refundable under any circumstances…I only mention all this, because it explains why new-car prices are also weird…
…so you could buy a Renault Zoe outright for no less than £33,000 for the base model, last year 2023. But, if a dealer pre-registered one, you’d be able to buy it for £21,000 and that defies all sense. But that’s a 54kWh car, with a great track record. It has hit a glitch in the NCAP ratings, which plainly nobody believes truly represents the safety of the car (zero stars), which maybe is just a red herring. Circling back to this car, that key just says it all - it’s a marketing ploy. ‘Look it’s got a very old-fashioned key, it must be cheap and conventional design’. But it’s not. It’s like all the car manufacturers are ‘thrashing’. They don’t know what way to go, is how it looks.
Some cars look like they are doing the Ikea model - they may design some of it, but 80% of everything is actually sourced from China, possibly the bulk of the car parts, and maybe the only French thing about it is the body that all the bits are fitted into. This is a transition car. That’s why it is the same body and similar suspension etc, for both EV and other ICE versions - which is sort of a backward step, but if budget is the main mission, then it’ll work. I mean it ought to work at keeping costs down, but mass-manufacturing is so critical to cost reduction, it’d be much better if the manufacturers could settle on one or two small EVs and just churn them out - they’d be easier to price low then.
And making a light hybrid is weird too, in 2024. It can only be cheap if it treads a well-worn path, and the whole question of automatic transmission is a thorny one for a used car, which is all we can usually buy in my household. A very few automatic transmissions are robust in small cars - as soon as you sprout a flexible belt and a couple of cones shunting in and out, I lose interest. There’s the auto transmission in true EVs, which is actually not an automatic transmission as such at all - it’s two gears meshing constantly, and the rotating magnetic field makes the electric motor’s rotor ‘chase’ it, a bit like how the old torque convertors work in principle (two impellers, one is made to ‘chase’ the other). So those are reliable too.
My little write-up here, is a bit here-and-there, and that reflects the current state of the car market/industry. Let’s not even talk about UK Road Fund Licence/Road Tax…okay, let’s…we have an 1800cc vehicle that pays no road tax, and a 1200cc one that pays over £180 a year. The government priced my old Volvo 5-pot off the road, so now only rich people can do 30mpg. I bought a great hybrid (Prius, used), but it only can knock petrol prices from say £1.45 a litre, down to £1.25 a litre, if you work the sums out. IE great though it is, it cannot make up for the massive tax on petrol in this country.
Everyone’s at sixes and sevens. Sure this car’s sort of cheap, but if you’re not able to afford a decent BEV, it’s still sort of likely you’ll buy an ICE car. No scrappage scheme still (14 wasted years, is the truth). The good news is, I can at last say it is possible to advise certain people that if they want a car for some use-cases, like a little automatic, a petrol car is not the best choice any more. Heating is still a thing - I can say with confidence, almost all reviews of EVs take place somewhere warm, sunny, and very middle. It’s still a case that battery capacity is so expensive, anyone wanting a lot of heat will pay dearly to get it from a battery as opposed to an internal combustion engine. That’s why I ended up with a hybrid, not something I realised until I’d driven a Tesla and a Nissan EV - both cold in our UK winter, no escaping it. We’re floating around on this, let’s hope a new government can pull it together, take care all.
Yep...for what it tries to be all very agreeable. However I'm at loggerheads with the new/old Citroen Logo, It does look old and it is...give me the classy standalone double chevron any day.
Cracking little French car
It's good, but a far cry from the original C3, the Citroën C2, C1 and C-Zero that are needed now more than ever
@@toyotaprius79 Combustion Engines are sh!t
Let's say 220km real world, my Zoe 40 does real world summer 270km. and it cost me 12k eur 2nd hand.
Much needed addition to the market and I would consider one, IF, it had a longer range. My regular trip from the south coast to Cambridgeshire is 150 miles mainly on motorways. In the real world this car would be dumping me in the hands of the unreliable and overpriced public charging network on both the outward and return journeys. It will suit many, but not for me.
Tell me they do a RHD version!
It looks so good, and the price is so good, that the EU and UK should do what the wise Americans have done and impose more tariffs on Chinese EVs.
Does it count as Chinese, with SVOLT providing the LFP technology?
Recording videos with the phone without a gimbal or optical image stabilizer affects the video quality, making it look unprofessional.
Couldn't they have made it look a bit less frumpy, though?
Excellent review - a big like 👍 Immediately subscribed to the channel... Per (DK)
Interesting car
I like even more the version without the built-in screen, and just the holder and charging connection for a smartphone.
23000 pounds pricing simply can't compete with Chinese car makers
I quite like the look of it but not with that range, no good for me.
How often do you drive 150 miles all in one hit? Most people have a daily commute of around 20 miles.
Even less range in the cold weather
@@Brian-om2hh All well and good, as long as you never use it for long trips - like a family holiday. Not an issue for some people, but a big minus if this is your only car.....
@@Brian-om2hhit doesn’t matter how often. I have a petrol car that can make 100% of journeys whenever I need it to. No point replacing it with a car that can only do 95% of journeys, it’s not as convenient
@@Brian-om2hh It's probably fine if you can home charge and don't go anywhere, but it's a 200 mile round trip to the lakes from here, this isn't going to cut it.
Great Beautiful ... I am ordering one... PETROL / DIESEL . Please.
1.2l 3cyl turbo petrol is more than enough
The EV is better.
In India they also have a significantly cheaper sub 100 mile EV using a Lithium Iron battery chemistry.
Citroen got it wrong, The ICE car is gonna be 6k cheaper - Surely the E-Car should be 6k cheaper than the ICE car.
If I got this car ,I am going to cut that "BE HAPPY " tag OFF from day one.
car journalist need to say only good things are the cars that they are testing if they want to get cars to test. They know that no one wants to buy EV, they hate them but they need to promote the cars car companies are forced to sell because of some conspiracy theory that politicians are promoting. I would love this car with 6 speeds, 1.2L engine with timing chain (not the belt that they sell it with)
It will have a petrol or hybrid version , but ppl need to move on
You need the charging infrastructure first it’s absolutely shocking at moment
I'm genuinely interested to know, is that from personal experience as an EV owner, or is your view based on media reports and / or You Tube uploads?
@@jonathantaylor1998 in all fairness not myself ,but my brother who travels nationwide with his work regularly bemoans it weekly, I think in fairness it’s common knowledge the infrastructure is not great
@@MartinLloyd-w1u it's not "common knowledge" because it's not true. There is so much public charging available and a lot more coming online each week. The truth is that the utilisation levels of these chargers is very low
@@MartinLloyd-w1u I'm sorry your brother's finding charging difficult - I presume he's not in a Tesla, then...
But, for the vast majority of everyday drivers, who do the school run, nip to the shops etc etc the public charging network is already perfectly usable, even if home charging is not an option.
Literally, a 30 minute take-the-kids-out-for-a-McDonalds can have most EVs charged back up to 85%-90% on a nearby rapid.
But, yes, for higher mileage drivers, unless you're in a Tesla, the 'regular' charging network still has some way to go, maybe... 🤷
Review electric car using UK public charging network
The range on that is a deal breaker for me
Does she also like this : Are you going to put your money and possibly your life on a zero NCAP safety rated car? Me NO!!!
What are Citroen thinking of?
Considering that in India this car has been on sale for over 3 years now - It's Not Enough. They already have a 7 seater ëC3 that Europe probably wouldn't see until 2026!
Citroën/Stellantis should be seriously filling in the vacuum of where the C-Zero, C1 and C2 are missing. It's exactly what people want and what the Chinese have in boat loads
More crossovers in an already over satured market of inefficient crossovers/SUVs🤢 will only end in another market crash like 2008
So it's a raised e208 platform...
No, it's an emerging markets platform, used as low-cost approach for more developed markets (with subsidy schemes).
@@marvin3935 they designed an EM only chassis instead of using the existing 208/2008 platform? Lol
I would rather have a longer range than dick around choosing colours on some side strip on the door.
Yes, but 80% of the projected use cases don´t need longer range anyway.
The desire may be personally motivated. Greetings from a happy VW e-up! driver
I don't personally like the styling at all. It looks like something Dodge would have done around 2008 (ouch - sorry).The front is too blocky and oddly proportioned and it doesn't match the back, which is utterly generic and uninteresting. Almost like it was designed by two different teams with two different briefs. Teams who hated one another. Teams who'd been drinking heavily the night before. And were not car designers. Or drivers. Would it have killed them to give it some on the panache and style Citroen have been getting so good at recently?
The rest of it is fine, but I doubt many people will bother to find out. If you happen to like the styling or not care about it, it's probably absolutely fine. BUT - be wary of ugly cars. Sometimes they have catastrophic depreciation as nobody really wants them.
The Citroen e-C3 seems a great car for around town. However, for most people this would not be a second car, at this price. I would expect a longer range, quick charge, 5 to 10 minutes and a great info centre. Most electric cars are too expensive for the average person. Citroen thought they had priced it right but for the spec. and range, I think most people will think twice or thrice.
Closing doors sounds cheap!
4 m/kWh in warm weather is not great for a small car!
Why on Earth would you prefer a physical key!
The best key is no key!
@@grahambrown42 the best brain is no brain!
Lovely review, but Stellantis, you/we know the new FIAT Panda will become a dull and pale imitation clone of this, any ingenuity is dead
Still prefer the 3rd generation C3
Rear view
It will break
22k for car with real 100miles range. gonna stick with petrol:)
"cow burger advert" made me stop watching.
When we're we conned into thinking £23000 was a cheap price for a car
ALL cars have rocketed in price, though...!
For example, on the discount website, Carwow:
The entry-level VW Polo 1.0i Life Auto is £23,350
The entry-level Toyota Yaris Hybrid Auto is £22,640
And even the entry-level Vauxhall Corsa 1.2 Design is £22,265
why more money for electric they are cheaper to produce!
De nombeux probléme technique comme sur les essences .... aller les pigeons
Its ok, certainly not a beautiful one like other french city cars..
you can buy an EC4 for less so no.
and another manufacture that thinks we only need a 140-170 mile range no thank you
Nice car - if it wasn't a milk float.
You're just hilarious
🥱
Because the clapped out diesel transit vans that replaced milk floats are _soooo_ much better, huh?
Looks like a Scion Xb
does not. Toyota (Scion XB) was more boxy shaped like Kia Soul (i had personally owned 3 of them) . thinking purchasing this car in Max and baby blue with white top if possible and extra Add-on accessory Rapid 100kw charger adapter)
Not something I've been been waiting for... Dreadful thing ...
Not the dumbest bird on the Internet.
Terrible mileage…..
I really like this car too. The ENCAP rating might be a dealbreaker if it's below four stars however. I'm not expecting five.
Do you drive and feel safe in any car that's older than 5 years old?
Five star ENCAP and affordable have become mutually exclusive. Even a new a 3-star vehicles is miles safer than cars from the early 2000`s. And if you get hit by a truck, you are in trouble, no matter what you car you drive.
@@senselessza1Exactly
Euro NCAP has unfortunately been used an excuse of competition that has made the average car far more expensive than necessary when safety should be accessible to everyone, not a premium feature. An arms race of profit breeding inflation
@toyotaprius79 I think the problem is also being caused by overregulation. ABS,ESC,6 airbags and a few crumple zones are sufficient for most. It will also keep costs in check. If you want to have a higher safety spec, it should be your choice - it should not be a forced high cost purchase
Cant wait to lose £15000 a year depreciation and replace the battery after 6 years on this bad boy. My kids are really looking forward to toasting marshmallows over it when it decides to spontaneously combust too!
I didn’t even need to scroll to find my favorite comment!
Get out from the rock
If it’s 23k it will only lose 15k once lol and batteries are guaranteed for 8 years but yeah I get what you mean
@@leesealey84Well now manufacturers are starting to play the game of recognizing clear battery degradations as battery damage and therefore not covering the replacement/repair so those 8 years… we have to see
@CakeFine Really? I live under a rock do I? Well i have some news for you my friend! My work friends Hyundai EV caught fire on his driveway, was a total write off and destroyed his driveway, windows and neighbours windows in the process.
A close friend of mines neighbour had a Kia EV, boom! It's gone. Caught fire while charging overnight at home. Also destroying his driveway, windows and half his front garden.
My dads mate had a Tesla Model Y. Boom! It's gone. Caught fire while charging.
Another friend of my Dad's has a Porsche Taycan. 2 years old. He can't get rid of it! Porsche won't except it in PX and any other car dealer that does is offering him around £40k, it cost him over £100k 2 years ago.
I am very well out of my rock and can see the light buddy.
The whole EV idea is a scam. It's not green nor financially viable. The only vehicle with a battery that makes sense is a self charging hybrid.
Cheers love
Can we address the new and absolutely hideous brand badge? Older Citroens have a nice double chrome strip on the nose, this one has a plastic piece slapped on that looks like it was just glued on as an afterthought.
Awful just awful
Because....? It's not affordable enough? It's not available in the cheaper EV or 7 seater option on sale in India?
Is it awful because it's a mock SUV?
@@toyotaprius79 an electric suv made by citroen.
Great review as always but awful car
The new Citroen badge is very WOKE.
And now India will get a cheap, low quality rip off version of this !!! 😢🤡