Citroen's e-C3 Aircross aims to bring more affordability and style to the segment for small all-electric SUVs. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

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 small 44kWh battery's 186 mile range.

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 it gets a smaller 44kWh battery than other Stellantis Group small SUV models of this size (like the Vauxhall Mokka Electric and the Peugeot E-2008). Which also contributes to the more affordable price.

Driving Experience

So how much EV range does a small family SUV like this really need? Possibly not that much for the urban duties it will mainly be tasked with - in which case you might find this e-C3 Aircross's 186 mile figure quite sufficient. Its small 44kWh battery pack uses 'LFP' 'Lithium Ferro Phosphate' tech, instead of the more usual lithium-ion cells, LFP packs being cheaper to produce, partly because they lack cobalt. The downside to the LFP tech is extra weight, another thing that keeps EV range here well under the 200 mile mark. This model's 113bhp electric motor is located on the front axle, propelling the car to 62mph in around 12s en route to the very modest 84mph maximum. Ride comfort is a traditional Citroen attribute, so the Advanced Comfort shock absorber hydraulic bump stops from larger models are carried over to this one. The remainder of the damping set-up is conventional, with MacPherson strut front suspension and a torsion beam rear end. For those still unconvinced by (or unprepared to pay the price for) EV technology, Citroen offers its usual 1.2-litre three cylinder petrol engine with or without Hybrid tech as part of this third generation C3 Aircross line-up.

Design and Build

It's as well to point out at the outset 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. Like the other Stellantis Group design in this segment that shares that conglomerate's 'Smart Car' platform, the Vauxhall Frontera, it's much bigger than the car it replaces, 200mm longer than the old C3 Aircross, with a much more overtly SUV vibe. Larger wheels in arches with chunky cladding, extra ground clearance and roof rails all feature and the wings and wheel tracks are wider than the C3 donor model. The bluff front end sees the brand's new badge sitting prominently on the chevron-patterned grille. Personalisation was a draw for this car's predecessor and here again, the contrasting paint on the lower quarter panel and front bumper is customisable. 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.

Market and Model

Pricing for this e-C3 Aircross is expected to start at under £25,000 and there's a choice of two trim levels - 'Plus' and 'Max'. '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 186 mile range figure for the 44kWh model (already down 13 miles on an 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 26 minutes. At home, you'll be able to AC charge from 20-80% from 7.4kW garage wall box in just over 4 hours. 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.