• Just the one motor available
• Front-wheel drive and with a single-speed automatic transmission
• More leisurely than similarly priced rivals  

Citroen e-C3 electric motors

The Citroen e-C3 is available with a single electric motor option, producing 113hp delivered through the front wheels. The e-C3 achieves 0-62mph in 10.4 seconds and has a top speed of 84mph, all via a single-speed automatic transmission. There are no drive modes to cycle through, so these performance figures are all you get.   

In a world of rapidly accelerating EVs, the e-C3 sounds a bit underpowered, but it’s more than enough to get up to speed quickly enough, offering decent mid-range overtaking power when needed. It’s far punchier than the cheaper Dacia Spring, but a Renault 5 or MINI Cooper Electric offer far more urgent acceleration, but for more money. 

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What’s it like to drive?

• Soft and pillowy ride
• Very laid back to drive
• Not as fun as key rivals

The Citroen e-C3 is wonderfully comfortable but not all that fun to drive, especially compared to the zippy Renault 5 and MINI Electric. Citroen describes these laid-back dynamics as being zen-like, which aligns beautifully with the car’s comfortable and minimalist design. The soft suspension is noticeable straight away with craters and bumps easily smoothed out.

The C3 is remarkably good at lessening the impact of these imperfections whilst retaining enough body control to stop it feeling wallowy. There is still a bit of fidget present on the motorway, but this is still a very comfortable car given the price. Soft suspension means plenty of lean in the bends without it ever getting too alarming, and grip levels are higher than you might expect. It can be hustled along briskly, it just doesn’t feel in keeping with the e-C3’s laid-back attitude. Pick the Renault or MINI for agility.

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The e-C3 has a small steering wheel that mirror’s Peugeot’s i-Cockpit arrangement, and the steering is light and responsive. It’s light around town, building just enough weight as speed increases, and is precise enough, but never feels keen or communicative. This is fine, as the car really is quite chilled to drive.

There’s little regenerative braking and no one-pedal driving mode, and instead the e-C3 keeps things simple. Lift off the accelerator and the Citroen smoothly slows, in a manner that resembles petrol engine braking. The brake pedal feel is better than many rivals making coming to a stop a smooth experience.