Citroën ë-C3 Aircross review

Can one of the cheapest electric SUVs on the market compete with pricier rivals? Will Rimell and Alex Wolstenholme report

- Will Rimell and Alex Wolstenholme report

At the rear, the e-C3 Aircross features new layered LED taillamps and a minimalist tailgate design for a clean, modern look.

Affordability is the new focus for Citroën. We like the cut-price C3 and ë-C3 superminis, and now we've tested the larger and more obviously SUV-inspired Citroen ë-C3 Aircross.

Unlike the C3 Aircross (with its hybrid or pure-petrol powertrain) you can think of the e-C3 Aircross as more like an ë-C3 estate. Whereas the hybrid can be had with seven seats, the EV is a strict five-seater and as such looks and feels like a stretched version of its super-mini sibling, even though it's officially an SUV.

The affordability focus is the result of Stellantis's new Smart Car platform, which also underpins closely related (and £1,000 [42,656 baht] more expensive) Vauxhall Frontera and smaller but more personable Fiat Grande Panda.

Including the UK government's Electric Car Grant (ECG) the ë-C3 Aircross starts at just £21,600 (921,366 baht) in Plus trim with the Standard Range 43.7kWh battery, good for 188 miles per charge.

In terms of rivals, the undoubtedly more stylish Renault 4 kicks off at £25,500. It's good for 247 miles of range but is priced in line with the top-spec ë-C3 Aircross.

The BYD Atto 2 doesn't qualify for the ECG, being built in China; it costs £31,000 for 214 miles of range but offers a little more performance. Neither does the Jaecoo 5 BEV (£27,500 for 248 miles).

But is there a reason it's this cheap? We find out.

The ë-C3 Aircross is all but identical to the C3 Aircross, a car Citroën has completely redesigned for its second generation.

Design boss Pierre Leclercq calls it a "clean sheet" design that brings a fresh perspective to the market segment. Citroën expects to attract many customers from other brands.