Citroën ë-C3 Aircross MAX review: affordable electric SUV

Even in this range-topping MAX specification, the Citroën ë-C3 Aircross still counts its price among its strongest selling points.

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The Citroën C3 Aircross has one clear target: the highly successful Dacia Duster. Like its Romanian rival, it aims to deliver plenty for little outlay, while going a step further by offering up to seven seats and a fully electric version, identified by the “ë”.

The two options cannot be combined in one vehicle, however, but I still approached this test with some anticipation. I had already read Miguel Dias’s first drive of the C3 Aircross, yet after many years of testing cars, nothing replaces putting one through its paces yourself.

The test car is the Citroën ë-C3 Aircross MAX, which also means it is the best-equipped trim in the range. Its black-painted roof contrasts with the triple-layer Elixir Red finish - perhaps the best colour choice for this model, in my view - while the 17-inch wheels reinforce the same message. This is the ë-C3 Aircross with everything included.

At the same time, it is impossible to overlook the fact that price is this model’s main attraction. In this electric form, it is the cheapest electric SUV you can buy. Even in MAX trim, it remains among the least expensive.

That raises questions about the formula Stellantis engineers have used to offer so much equipment for so little money. What is the real cost of being cheap?

Robustness is the first impression

From the outside, it immediately looks sturdy. Although the Citroën ë-C3 Aircross sits in the B-SUV segment, its generously sized body and high 19 cm ground clearance give it the appearance of an adventurous SUV.

That sense of solidity continues inside, where the minimalist layout is joined by a smaller “Peugeot-style” steering wheel.

The trim combines fabrics in various patterns with synthetic leather featuring matching stitching, but there are also hard plastics - on the door panels, for instance - that do not feel particularly pleasant to the touch. Even so, the construction appears robust and, so far, there are not too many unwanted noises in the cabin.

The usual French comfort

There is little to criticise when it comes to the available space in the Citroën ë-C3. Front occupants get seats with extensive adjustment, good support and a meaningful contribution to the high comfort level. In the second row, the outer passengers will be happier if nobody is sitting in the middle, giving them more room to spread out, but overall the rear seats of the ë-C3 Aircross are perfectly comfortable.

Further back, Citroën quotes a maximum boot capacity of 460 litres beneath the parcel shelf, although it appears to be even larger in reality. The floor is removable and can be set at two different heights; in the upper position, it creates an extra compartment underneath, ideal for storing charging cables.

Unlike many electric models, there is no frunk beneath the bonnet. Here come the first signs of cost control.

A tightly controlled budget

To achieve such an accessible price, it is easy to see that this model was developed under very strict cost controls. After all, there are no financial miracles, and like every other model, it has to be profitable for its manufacturer.

This is evident in the absence of a frunk, but also in the minimalist instrument display, which provides only the functions required for driving, and in the very straightforward central touchscreen, whose interface offers limited customisation.

Before even setting off, there is another cutback, although this one is more unusual. In 2025, what is the point of an electric car in which you must insert a key into the “ignition” and turn it to start the system? After all, there is no “ignition” in this fully electric ë-C3 Aircross. Anyway…

An SUV for the city

Before moving off, the instrument display showed 98% charge and a range of 277 km. This is the version with the smaller 44 kWh battery and an official combined WLTP range of just 303 km - the ë-C3 Aircross with the 54.2 kWh battery (total capacity), claiming 400 km, has now arrived in Portugal.

If, like me, you enjoy keeping track of average energy consumption, forget it. The Citroën ë-C3 Aircross does not offer that option. Its trip computer shows only the remaining range, battery charge, total mileage and trip mileage.

Within the first few urban miles, it became apparent that this is where the ë-C3 Aircross feels most at home, with comfort very much the priority.

That was confirmed on the motorway, where the combination of an SUV body - not the most aerodynamic shape - only 113 hp and a modest-capacity battery could produce just one result: the battery charge drops at a rather brisk pace. It is better to choose A-roads and maintain a more measured speed.

Without a trip computer, I had to use a calculator to obtain the average consumption figures I wanted. As most of my driving was urban and suburban, I actually achieved a better result than the official figure: 17.2 kWh/100 km, below the claimed 18.3 kWh/100 km. On the motorway, though, it was using almost 22 kWh/100 km.

Better equipped, but at what cost?

The Citroën ë-C3 Aircross is appealing because of what it offers in its equipment list: LED lighting, automatic air conditioning and a rear parking camera are all points in its favour.

The 10.25-inch touchscreen with 3D navigation is also very welcome. However, with wireless smartphone connectivity through Apple CarPlay or Android Auto - both included - the navigation system is entirely unnecessary. Personally, I would like to see more user-interface customisation and… average consumption figures on the trip computer; an update is planned.

With the €900 Elixir Red paint included, the Citroën ë-C3 Aircross MAX has a list price of €31,790. And yes, that is a hard figure to beat for a well-equipped, fully electric car with enough room to carry almost anything.

What the ë-C3 Aircross lacks

On the other hand, there are exposed sections of bodywork inside, the material quality has considerable room for improvement, and the need to insert the key into the barrel simply makes little sense.

Beyond its attractive body styling - particularly in this colour - the ë-C3 Aircross features original touches, such as the inscription inside the glovebox lid, which depicts some of the French brand’s best-known models alongside the message “Iconic Since 1919”.

There are also positive messages on the doors intended to lift the mood, but they prompted another thought: “it is not enough to look the part; it has to be the part”. That was exactly my lasting impression of the Citroën ë-C3 Aircross: it only appears to be a very interesting proposition with a competitive price.

Verdict

Technical specifications