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Wild Bear Review: Citroën e‑C3 Aircross 2025

  • Writer: Wild Bear
    Wild Bear
  • Jul 7
  • 3 min read

The laid-back electric SUV you didn’t know you needed


If you’re looking for an affordable, easy‑going, and surprisingly spacious electric SUV that prioritizes comfort and value, the Citroën e‑C3 Aircross might just be it. At first glance, it’s a compact, eco-efficient ride—but stick with it and you discover a cleverly packaged daily driver that’s as pragmatic as it is pleasant.


Price & Value

  • Starting from £22,990 for the Plus trim, rising to £24,990 in Max spec—cheaper than most direct rivals like the Vauxhall equivalent and significantly undercuts the MG ZS‑EV and Ford Puma Gen‑E.

  • Offers excellent equipment levels at entry price, making real-world value its strongest suit.


Power, Range & Charging

  • Powered by a 113 PS (83 kW) front-wheel-drive motor with a 44 kWh LFP battery. Official WLTP range is 188 miles—realistically closer to the 170–186 mile mark.

  • 0–62 mph in ~8.9 s, top speed ~89 mph—so not sporty, but perfectly adequate.

  • Charging: ~4 hours to 80% at 7 kW home AC, just 26 minutes via 100 kW DC rapid charger.


Comfort & Ride Quality

  • Boasts Citroën’s Advanced Comfort® suspension and seats, with foam-padded dash and supportive cabin shaping—remarkably smooth on rough roads.

  • Cabin: high roof, wide doors, fabric-trimmed dash and handles—it feels airy, upright, and surprisingly premium given the price.

  • Downsides: noticeably more road noise at motorway speeds.


Space & Practicality

  • Measures 4.39 m long, with 460 L boot (expandable to 1,600 L).

  • Five-seat only in EV variant; petrol/hybrid also offer optional seven seats.

  • Cabin smartly designed: head-up display, smartphone mirroring, clever storage shelves.


Performance & Handling

  • Not built for thrills—steering is light, and understeer is noticeable in bends.

  • However, it delivers a "limo-like" ride on UK roads, absorbing potholes and imperfections with ease.

  • Critics agree: it’s better suited to comfort over cornering.


Interior & Tech

  • Features cloth, foam-detailed dash and door pulls with a quirky, joyful French flair .

  • Standard Plus trim includes a 10.25″ touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, climate controls, auto lights/wipers, rear camera, and safety tech.

  • Max trim adds heated seats, steering wheel, blind‑spot alert, upgraded infotainment, LED taillights, and wireless charger.


Weaknesses

  • EV range may dip in cold weather due to LFP battery without heat pump.

  • Road noise on motorways is higher than quiet EV rivals .

  • Build quality shows cost-saving measures with hard plastics, though key touchpoints are well-finished.


Alternatives & Rivals

  • The Vauxhall Frontera Electric offers similar specs but at a slightly higher price.

  • MG ZS EV and Ford Puma Gen‑E move further afield on spec and range but come at significant price premiums.

  • The Citroën e‑C3 hatch shares parts, driving feel, and ethos—though its smaller size makes the Aircross a smarter, roomier choice.



2025 Citroën e‑C3 Aircross vs Key Competitors

Affordable Electric SUVs Under £30K

Feature/Spec

Citroën e‑C3 Aircross

MG ZS EV

Vauxhall Frontera Electric

Jeep Avenger EV

Starting Price (UK)

£22,990

£30,495

£29,000 (est.)

£34,800

Power Output

113 PS (83 kW)

176 PS (130 kW)

154 PS (115 kW)

154 PS (115 kW)

Battery Size

44 kWh (LFP)

51 kWh

54 kWh

54 kWh

WLTP Range (official)

188 miles

273 miles

248 miles (est.)

249 miles

Realistic Range (avg.)

170–180 miles

220–230 miles

~215 miles

215–225 miles

0–62 mph

~8.9 sec

8.0 sec

8.6 sec

9.0 sec

Charging (DC Rapid)

100 kW (26 min to 80%)

100 kW (36 min to 80%)

100 kW (est.)

100 kW (30 min to 80%)

Boot Space (seats up)

460 L

470 L

450 L

355 L

Seats

5

5

Up to 7 (hybrid only)

5

Infotainment & Tech

10.25" screen, wireless CP/AA

10.1" screen, CP/AA

10" screen, digital dash

10.25" screen, CP/AA

Suspension Comfort

Citroën Advanced Comfort®

Firm but composed

Balanced ride

Firm over bumps

Build Quality Feel

Soft-touch + hard plastics

Average fit and finish

Solid and practical

Compact and refined

Best For

Comfort-first commuters

Range and family use

Space + daily functionality

Compact urban adventurers

Wild Bear Score

★★★★☆

★★★★☆

★★★½☆

★★★½☆

Wild Bear Thinks

  • Best value for money: Citroën e‑C3 Aircross

  • Best range: MG ZS EV

  • Most versatile platform: Vauxhall Frontera Electric

  • Most compact & stylish: Jeep Avenger EV


Wild Bear Verdict

The e‑C3 Aircross isn’t flashy—and that’s exactly its charm. It’s built for real life: Everyday comfort, low running costs, space for gear or family and enough electric range to cover daily routines easily. For those seeking a stylish, practical and affordable electric SUV, this hits a sweet spot.


Score: 8/10Best For: Urban families, value-driven EV drivers, comfort lovers

Skip If You Want: Fast charging on every journey, quiet motorway cruising, sporty handling


For more info and updates go to Citroen

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