Citroen eC3X

The electric C3 looks identical to its ICE counterpart, which is a good thing. It retains the upright stance, Chevron-logo DRLs, open grille, and creased bonnet. Our bright orange test car had white contrast accents, including on the side cladding.

Differences are minimal — ‘e’ badging and a charging port on the front fender. The blank fuel flap remains but doesn’t open. Due to the underfloor battery, ground clearance drops from 180mm to 170mm, still sufficient.

The 2,540mm wheelbase houses the entire battery pack within it, unlike the Tiago EV, which uses a split layout and sacrifices the spare wheel. The eC3 retains the 315-litre boot. Citroen says its CMP platform was designed with electrification in mind, enabling quick eC3 development. No frunk, as the motor/controller use that space.

The cabin mirrors the ICE version, aside from a toggle switch replacing the gear lever and an Eco mode button. Storage is good, and the dash gets orange or grey contrast panels. The steering is shared, while the digital instrument cluster adds EV info.

Seats are comfy and space is sufficient for four adults. But the rear seat is compromised by the 70mm higher floor due to the battery, creating a knees-up posture. Legroom and under-thigh space help mitigate it.

The eC3’s city-oriented performance is mild. Initial throttle response is relaxed, with acceleration picking up post 30kph. Citroen claims 0-60kph in 6.8s and a top speed of 107kph. The 57hp motor feels modest, though 143Nm torque is decent.

Eco mode doesn’t significantly reduce performance. Brake energy regeneration is fixed and mimics ICE engine braking. Overall refinement is high, with smooth power delivery and barely any motor noise.

The 29.2kWh battery is claimed to offer 320km ARAI range. No wall box is provided; full charge via a 15A socket takes 10.5 hours. DC fast charging from 10-80% takes an hour. It uses air cooling for the battery, unlike liquid-cooled rivals. This limits charging speed.

The eC3 favours comfort over agility. Steering is nicely weighted and confidence-inspiring. Body roll is noticeable, but ride quality – a Citroen strength – is likely to be good in real-world use.

Despite updates, the eC3 remains modestly equipped. It has a 10.2-inch touchscreen, wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay, and now gets a rear camera and wash-wipe.

Safety kit includes dual airbags, ABS, and sensors. It scored 0 stars for adults and 1 star for children in GNCAP tests.

The eC3 is comfy and stylish but lacks excitement. Its dull performance and thin equipment list undercut appeal. And with the lower-priced and capable Tiago EV the Citroen has its work cut out.