Citroen eC3

The Citroen eC3 Electric uses a 29.2 kWh battery paired with an electric motor producing about 57 PS and 143 Nm. It comes with a single-speed automatic setup. In real-world use, the range usually falls somewhere between 200 to 250 km. This depends heavily on how and where you drive. 

City Driving

In city conditions, the Citroen eC3 feels light and easy. There’s no clutch work, no gear changes. Just press and go. The instant torque helps in quick overtakes and gaps in traffic.

The steering is light, making parking and tight turns easier. Suspension continues to be one of its strong points, absorbing potholes without much fuss. Even in heavy traffic, the Citroen eC3 EV feels relaxed to drive. It doesn’t demand much effort from the driver, which is a big plus for daily use.

Highway Driving

On highways, the Citroen eC3 EV feels stable, but only up to a certain point. It’s comfortable cruising at speeds between 80-100 km/h. Acceleration is smooth, though not particularly quick. If you’re planning an overtake, you’ll need to time it properly, especially at higher speeds.

Pushing beyond 100 km/h starts affecting efficiency quite noticeably. This is typical of electric cars in this price range - hard acceleration and over-speeding have a clear impact on the range. However, it’s worth mentioning how the suspension does a remarkable job at keeping the car plain even at high speeds. Overall, the eC3 feels calm, but it doesn’t encourage spirited driving. 

The Citroen eC3 is available in two major variants, viz Feel, and Shine. The Live version, which used to be an entry-level variant, is no longer on sale. 

Feel: The current base model, this variant features essentials like power-windows, 6 airbags, digital instrumentation and ABS with EBD. It even offers a touchscreen infotainment unit. 

Shine: The top variant builds upon the Feel version and comes with extra features such as 15-inch alloy wheels, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, rear defogger, and front/rear skid plates. It’s even available in a dual-tone paint option for a small premium. 

The variant lineup is easy to understand. The Citroen eC3 price range is spaced in a way that lets buyers choose based on budget and requirements.

The claimed range of the Citroen eC3 Electric is around 320 km. But in reality, things look a bit different. In city driving, you can expect around 200–220 km. On highways, it can go slightly higher, around 220–250 km, if driven carefully. Range depends a lot on driving habits, AC usage, and traffic conditions. Aggressive driving will reduce it faster than expected. If used sensibly, the Citroen eC3 EV offers enough range for daily city runs. Over time, the lower running cost starts justifying the Citroen eC3 price.

The Citroen eC3 looks a lot like the ICE C3. However, some small updates make one tell the two models apart. The biggest of these is the closed-off front grille, which immediately gives away its electric identity. The side profile remains almost unchanged, except for the extra flap on the fender. As is the case with the petrol model, the electric C3 offers a reasonably high ground clearance. Meanwhile, the rear-end feels as safely-styled as the front, with no bold styling elements. Overall, the eC3 Citroen offers a practical design that appeals to all age groups. 

Once you’re inside, you’ll be quick to notice how the Citroen eC3 has a straightforward setup. The layout is very similar to the one on the petrol model. Hence, the ingress and egress are as easy. The highlight of the dashboard is a touchscreen infotainment unit that offers smartphone connectivity. This is a standard fitment on both the available variants. However, premium features like an automatic climate control are missing even on the top model. 

The seats are comfortable for long commutes. The great ride further plays a huge role in keeping occupants comfortable. The rear cabin space is sufficient for two adults. While the cabin is not overly spacious, it is practical and sufficiently roomy for a small family. However, it’s necessary to keep in mind that the Citroen eC3 EV focuses on practicality and simplicity instead of luxury and poshness.  

The safety kit on the Citroen eC3 is rather comprehensive, especially if you consider the price at which it’s sold at. All variants come with 6 airbags as standard. Along with this, the electric car even gets ABS with EBD, rear parking sensors and seatbelt reminder. However, none of the variants come with ADAS, even as an option. Also, in 2024, the vehicle scored poorly at NCAP. That said, the tested version was equipped with 2 airbags instead of the 6 available now. For its price segment, the Citroen eC3 EV comes with all the essential active and passive safety features. 

The Citroen eC3 competes with other entry-level options in the electric car market of India. 

• Tata Tiago EV: While it is more affordable and offers more features, it’s not as spacious or comfortable as the eC3.

• Tata Punch EV: It feels a bit more premium and better equipped than the eC3, but it’s a tad costlier. Also, it doesn’t offer the comfort level of the eC3.  

In comparison, the Citroen eC3 price feels fair for someone prioritising comfort and simplicity over features.

As you must have understood, the Citroen eC3 comes with its shares of advantages and disadvantages. As a potential buyer, one should be aware of both aspects before taking the final purchase call. 

In case your use is mostly confined to the city and you need a low-cost electric car, the Citroen eC3 should be a good option for you. It is focused on providing a comfortable ride, a practical cabin, and light controls. To many, the Citroen eC3 Electric may feel basic but it offers what really matters. Hence, for someone planning to switch to a low-cost EV without overcomplicating things, the Citroen eC3 EV could be a worthy buy. However, new-age features, strong performance and high range are your major priorities, you might need to consider costlier options in the electric car market. All in all, though, the eC3 Citroen comes across as a practical option for regular commutes.