The Citroen e-C3: The Perfect Choice for Personal and Business Use

If you are looking for a small electric car that offers rugged looks, comfortable ride, long range, and low price, you might want to check out the Citroen e-C3. This all-electric hatchback has been named ‘Car of the Year’ at the 2024 Company Car & Van Awards, beating other contenders such as the MG 4, the BYD Dolphin, and the Mazda MX-30. I will tell you why the e-C3 is such a great choice for both personal and business use and how it compares with its rivals in terms of performance, features, and value.

Performance

The Citroen e-C3 electric car is powered by a 111bhp electric motor and a 44kWh battery pack, which deliver an official range of 199 miles on the WLTP cycle. This is more than enough for most daily driving needs, and it also beats the Mazda MX-30 (124 miles) and the BYD Dolphin (211 miles) in this aspect. The MG 4 has a slightly longer range of 218 miles, but it also has a lower power output of 105bhp.

The e-C3 can also charge quickly, thanks to its 100kW DC rapid charging capability. This means that you can top up the battery from 20% to 80% in just 26 minutes at a compatible charging station. This is similar to the MG 4, which can charge at the same rate, and faster than the BYD Dolphin, which can only charge at 80kW. The Mazda MX-30 has a slower charging speed of 50kW, which means it takes 40 minutes to reach 80% charge.

The e-C3 also has a smooth and responsive driving experience, with a 0-62mph time of 9.3 seconds and a top speed of 93mph. The MG 4 is slightly quicker, with a 0-62mph time of 8.5 seconds and a top speed of 99mph, while the BYD Dolphin is slower, with a 0-62mph time of 10.5 seconds and a top speed of 87mph. The Mazda MX-30 is the slowest of the bunch, with a 0-62mph time of 12.2 seconds and a top speed of 87mph.

Features

The e-C3 is not only a practical and efficient car but also a stylish and comfortable one. It has a tall and boxy design that gives it an SUV-like appearance, with slim LED headlights, chunky wheel arch cladding, and roof rails. It also features the new Citroën logo and design language, which were first seen on the Oli Concept in 2022.

The e-C3 also has a spacious and modern interior, with a stepped dashboard that houses a digital driver’s display and a 10.25-inch infotainment screen (optional on the entry-level version). The infotainment system supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and also includes a ‘My Citroën Play with Smartphone Station’ feature, which allows you to use your smartphone as a second screen for navigation, music, and other functions.

The e-C3 also benefits from Citroën’s Advanced Comfort Programme, which includes Citroën Advanced Comfort Suspension, which easily absorbs bumps and potholes, and Advanced Comfort seats, which are soft and supportive. The e-C3 also offers a good amount of storage space, with a shelf-like area above the glovebox, a large central console, and a 300-litre boot.

The Citroen e-C3 electric car also comes with a high level of standard equipment, including an Active Safety Brake, which automatically brakes the car if it detects a potential collision, a new Citroën Head-Up Display, which projects key information onto the windscreen, and Rear Parking Sensors, which help you park the car safely. Higher trim levels also add Lane Keeping Assist, which keeps the car in its lane, Wireless Phone Charging, which charges your phone without cables, and Keyless Entry and Start, which lets you access and start the car without a key.

Value

The e-C3 is not only a well-equipped and well-performing car but also a well-priced one. It will be offered in line with Citroën’s ‘Fair Pricing’ policy, which means it will have a competitive and transparent price tag. The entry-level ‘YOU!’ version will start from under $31,000, which is cheaper than the MG 4 SE ($32,000), the BYD Dolphin Active ($33,000), and the Mazda MX-30 SE-L Lux ($35,000). The mid-range ‘PLUS’ version will cost around $34,000, while the top-of-the-range ‘MAX’ version will cost around $37,000.

The e-C3 will also be eligible for the UK government’s plug-in car grant, which will reduce the price by $3,500. This means that the e-C3 ‘YOU!’ will cost less than $28,000 after the grant, making it one of the most affordable electric cars on the market. The e-C3 will also have low running costs, zero road tax, zero emissions, and low maintenance. The e-C3 will also come with an eight-year/100,000-mile battery warranty and a three-year/60,000-mile vehicle warranty, giving you peace of mind.