Citroen C3 Aircross 83kW Extended Range Collection 54kWh 5dr Auto

Ten Second Review

Citroen's first all-electric compact SUV is this car, the e-C3 Aircross. There aren't too many compromises with practicality over the combustion versions, but you'll need to be happy with the relatively restricted charging speed and battery range. If you are, then this might make a charismatic little family second car.

Background

If you're fed up with being quoted expensive prices for that new full-electric compact SUV your family needs, perhaps as a second car, don't give up quite yet. Here's one that's more affordable, without being dispiritingly budget-minded: the Citroen e-C3 Aircross. Like its close Stellantis cousin and rival, Vauxhall's Frontera Electric, the e-C3 Aircross is based on that conglomerate's more affordable-to-make 'Smart Car' platform. Which means that it's more affordable than other Stellantis Group small electric SUV models of this size (like the Vauxhall Mokka Electric and the Peugeot E-2008). But compromises over cars like those seem relatively few.

Driving Experience

This car was launched with the option of an entry-level 44kWh 'Standard range' battery but for our market, Citroen is focusing primarily on the larger 'Extended Range' 54kWh battery pack, which is capable of up to 249 miles between charges. It's paired to the 113hp front axle-mounted motor that usually features on small Stellantis EVs, propelling the car to 62mph in 13s en route to just 89mph flat out. Whatever kind of powertrain you choose in your Aircross, you'll find that ride comfort is prioritised, a traditional Citroen attribute, thanks to the fact that the Advanced Comfort shock absorber hydraulic bump stops from larger models have been carried over to this one. Is it 'magic carpet-like', as Citroen suggests? No, not really; but it's certainly better than the class norm (and noticeably better than the equivalent - and otherwise identically-engineered - Vauxhall Frontera). The remainder of the damping set-up is conventional, with MacPherson strut front suspension and a torsion beam rear end. What differs the C3 Aircross from the C3 supermini is this SUV model's slightly raised driving position. That's due to greater ground clearance, though there's not enough of that to facilitate the off-road adventures the chunky styling suggests this Citroen might be up for. The potential for on-road adventures - at least in terms of driving enjoyment around the twisty stuff - is even more limited than it usually is in this class of car. Somewhat over-assisted steering sees to that, though of course you get the benefit of that in this car's preferred city habitat. Towing is pretty much out of the question in the e-C3 Aircross, with braked capacity rated at just 350kg.

Design and Build

It's as well to point out that a major selling point of the combustion version of this car - an optional third seating row - can't be had with the e-C3 Aircross. But nothing else appears to have been much compromised by the EV system's installation and apart from badging, there are a few exterior signs of it. Predictably, the blocky, squarical styling that Citroen's decided will characterise its future models (derived from the company's Oli concept car of 2022) suits this C3 Aircross better than it does the fourth generation C3 supermini. Large wheels in arches with chunky cladding, plenty of ground clearance and roof rails all feature and the wings and wheel tracks are wider than the e-C3 donor model. The bluff front end sees the brand's latest badge sitting prominently on the chevron-patterned grille. Inside, as with the e-C3 supermini, this e-C3 Aircross features what Citroen calls a 'head-up display', which actually isn't that at all; instead, it's a narrow letterbox-like strip which houses a small selection of digital instruments, primarily speed and range. This works with the almost equally unusual oblong-shaped over-buttoned steering wheel. The central infotainment screen is a 10.25-inch monitor that at last Citroen has learned not to over-burden with climate controls, which are separated out lower down. Fabric inserts and novel detailing supply the required Gallic vibe, as do the squashy Active Comfort seats. In the second row, there's comfortable room for a couple of adults and you get a big 460-litre boot that's the same size as the combustion model. Flatten the 60-40-split rear bench and up to 1,600-litres of space can be freed up.

Market and Model

Like its Vauxhall Frontera Electric Stellantis stablemate, this car was launched with an entry-level 44kWh 'Standard Range' battery but for the UK, Citroen primarily concentrates sales on the slightly larger 54kWh 'Extended Range' battery we're trying here. In this form, the e-C3 Aircross is a touch cheaper than the equivalent Frontera, listing at around £25,000 as we filmed, with an available £1,500 government grant to bring the price down to around £23,500. e-C3 Aircross customers get a choice of 'Plus' or 'Max' trim levels (we've got a 'Max' model here). But they can't have the optional third row seating that available to customers for the combustion versions of this model. 'Plus'-spec comes as standard with Citroen Advanced Comfort suspension, six airbags, automatic air conditioning, a 10.25-inch touchscreen with wireless smartphone mirroring, active safety braking, an active lane departure warning system, driver attention alert, cruise control with speed limiter, recognition of speed limit signs, rear parking sensors and a rear parking camera, automatic lighting, Advanced Comfort Seats, electric front and rear windows, LED headlights and daytime running lights and 17-inch alloy wheels. The second level, 'MAX', additionally offers 3D LED rear lights, a white or black bi-tone roof depending on the body colour, 3D navigation, wireless smartphone charging, exterior mirrors with blind-spot detection, front parking sensors, an electrochrome interior mirror and a winter pack comprising of heated seats, a heated steering wheel and a heated windscreen.

Cost of Ownership

Range figures for EVs usually need to be taken with a degree of scepticism and that'll certainly be the case here, particularly if you'll be driving your e-C3 Aircross in very cold conditions. The LFP 'Lithium Ferro Phosphate' battery's more sensitive to external temperatures than a more usual lithium-ion battery would be, so you can expect the claimed 249 mile range figure for the 54kWh model (already down 30 miles on a 44kWh e-C3 hatch) to plummet in the depths of winter. To give you some class perspective, much pricier Stellantis Group EV small SUVs like Vauxhall's Mokka Electric and Peugeot's E-2008 with their more conventional 50kWh batteries deliver around 209 miles of range. Citroen claims that the e-C3 Aircross is capable of rapid charging at rates of up to 100kW, which allows for a 20-80% charge in 28 minutes for the Extended Range version. At home, you'll be able to AC charge from 20-80% from 7.4kW garage wall box in just over 4 hours for the Standard Range and just over five hours for the Extended Range version. If your property has a three-phase supply, you'll also be able to charge at 11kW, in which case the 20-80% charging time will fall to just under 3 hours. All versions of this model will be covered by the brand's usual unremarkable three year/60,000 mile warranty, plus the battery will have its own eight year cover package.

Summary

We could see the e-C3 Aircross being an ideal family second car - and in that role, its relatively restricted EV driving range might not matter much. The appeal of the electric version of this car would certainly be extended though, if Citroen could offer it with the third row seating option that's available with the combustion versions. Those two caveats aside, there's lots to like here. Not just the relative affordability of the price also the stylishness and customisability of the packaging. Which you might feel gives this Citroen an advantage over its Vauxhall Frontera Electric Stellantis clone. A slim advantage perhaps, but in this class, that's the kind of thing that makes all the difference.