New Citroën ë-C3 Aircross is a Comfortable & Affordable EV.
New Citroën ë-C3 Aircross is a Comfortable & Affordable EV.
The all-new, fully-electric Citroën ë-C3 Aircross is a budget-friendly 5-seat SUV that combines the brand’s legendary comfort with modern electric performance. The Citroën ë-C3 Aircross has always prided itself on delivering a comfortable ride quality and plush seats – a hallmark of the brand, and the latest model builds on this legacy while offering surprising versatility and a smart, contemporary design that turns heads in the compact SUV compact. Target buyers for the new ë-C3 Aircross are families seeking a practical, comfortable electric SUV without compromising on style or equipment. Formed on Citroën’s renowned comfort philosophy, the ë-C3 Aircross delivers a smooth and fatigue-free experience for all occupants.
Commanding View.
Built on Citroen’s cutting-edge Smart Car platform, the new ë-C3 Aircross is essentially a slightly larger and higher-riding version of the standard Citroën ë-C3, and the elevated stance offers a commanding driving position, something increasingly valued by modern motorists who want a confident view of the road ahead. The design is smartly executed, with buyers provided with spaciousness, practicality, and versatility, without the car’s dimensions being any larger than they need to be. For buyers requiring even more room than the regular 5-seat ë-C3 Aircross has to offer, a 7-seater option is available with the pure-petrol and Hybrid versions – underlining just how adaptable the Smart Car platform truly is. The new ë-C3 Aircross also features Citroën’s new ‘double-chevron’ logo neatly integrated into the front and rear design. This new logo is a reinterpretation of the very first Citroën logo of 1919, with the famous arrows taking inspiration from the double herringbone-shaped Polish metal gear system of the early 20th century, which founder André Citroën discovered during a visit to his relatives in Poland.
Range & Charging.
The ë-C3 Aircross supports up to 100kW DC charging, allowing a 20-80% charge in approximately 33 minutes, with a similar charge taking just over 5 hours via a 7.4kWh AC wall-box charger. The 54kWh battery comes with a WLTP range of 400km on a combined driving cycle, and an estimated consumption figure of 16.1–16.4kWh/100km.
Two Trim Levels.
In order to simplify the buying process, the new ë-C3 Aircross comes with a choice of two trims – Plus and Max. Key standard equipment in Plus trim includes 17” AERO diamond-cut alloy wheels, Eco LED headlights with high-beam assist, roof rails, body coloured roof, bronze colour clip, a 10.25” central touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, Citroën ‘C-Zen Lounge’ (Advanced Comfort Seats, compact steering wheel, and a Head-up Display), Citroën Advanced Comfort Suspension with Progressive Hydraulic Cushions, automatic air-conditioning, multiple airbags, rear parking sensors with reversing camera, auto wipers, cruise control with speed limiter, remote central locking, rear privacy glass, glossy black B & C pillars, rear spoiler, front & rear grey skid plates, and Urban Bronze Trim with ‘happy tag labels’ on door armrest fabric, along with a host of standard safety features consisting of; Hill Start Assist, Active Safety Brake (Video with Forward Collision Warning), Active Lane Departure Warning System, Driver Attention Alert, ESP and Speed Limit information. The ë-C3 Aircross Max version also features embedded satellite navigation, front fog lights, LED rear lights, heated front seats, heated leather effect steering wheel with gloss black and chrome elements, wireless smartphone charger, bi-tone roof in black or white (dependent on exterior colour chosen), Blind Spot Detection, front parking sensors, a heated acoustic windscreen, and Metropolitan Grey fabric/leather effect combination upholstery. For the first time ever, the ë-C3 is equipped with Citroën Advanced Comfort Suspension, along with new Citroën Advanced Comfort Seats. The newcomer’s higher roof line than its predecessor creates a larger cabin with enhanced front headroom and a noticeable increase in rear knee room. In terms of boot capacity, the new ë-C3 Aircross features a best-in-class capacity of 460-litres behind the rear seats, and this expands to almost 1,600-litres with the rear seats folded.
Test Car Details.
My test car was a new Citroën ë-C3 Aircross ‘Max’, which was finished in elegant Mercury Grey metallic paintwork with a contrasting black roof and black door mirror covers. With 113hp (111bhp) and 125Nm of torque available immediately from the front-mounted electric motor, the car can sprint from 0-100km/h in under 13.0-seconds, on its way to a top speed of 143km/h (where permitted). While the torque figure is fairly modest for an EV, the car is designed to prioritise city driving and comfort rather than high performance, and this works exceptionally well in practice. The Citroën Head-up Display is situated at the junction between the top of the dashboard and the bottom of the windscreen, and it provides easy access to all key information without having to take your eyes off the road. The 10.25” colour touchscreen is very much user-friendly, and it comes with smart and useful features that include wireless Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ integration. Also standard are wireless smartphone charging, and USB Type-C connectivity, which have become highly-desirable, family-friendly features for the modern age we live in. Citroën’s Advanced Comfort Suspension with Progressive Hydraulic Cushions, gives the car a feather-soft ride quality that feels more limousine than SUV, and the car soaks up rutted road surfaces with ease, while remaining impressively composed through corners. Overall body control is terrific, so the car always feels planted and stable at speed, and this is a commendable feat of engineering excellence from Citroën. The flat-bottom steering wheel has a pleasing feel to it, and the automatic gear selector is conveniently located on the centre console for ease of access. The steering is light and predictable, and electric powertrain responds well during normal, and more spirited driving.
Verdict & Price.
The new Citroën ë-C3 Aircross perfectly represents the brand’s new ethos, where comfort and efficiency meet modern technology and distinctive design. It is a very likeable car that offers owners excellent levels of practicality and versatility, while Citroën’s famous ride comfort makes it a relaxing travel companion for everyone onboard. The new ë-C3 Aircross is on sale now at Citroën dealerships nationwide, with prices starting from just €28,450 (after SEAI Grant & VRT Relief for private buyers). A 5-year/unlimited mileage warranty is standard across all new Citroën passenger cars.
Visit www.citroen.ie for further information.
