New Citroen e-C3 Aircross revealed: value-focussed electric SUV takes aim at the MG ZS EV

Citroen has finally taken the covers off the new Citroen e-C3 Aircross, with the compact electric SUV looking to take on the likes of the similarly stocky Jeep Avenger and the wallet-friendly MG ZS EV.

The e-C3 Aircross goes on sale in September alongside the petrol- and hybrid-powered Citroen C3 Aircross, which is offered as a seven-seater. Anyone who was looking to place an order for the seven-seat version of the electric car will need to look elsewhere, however, as the e-C3 Aircross will only be available in five-seat form.

From launch, the Citroen e-C3 Aircross SUV will get the same 44kWh battery as the smaller e-C3 supermini but the overall range takes a slight dent. The e-C3 can manage 199 miles on a charge but the e-C3 Aircross can only cover around 186 miles due to its larger size and weight. Charging the Aircross from 20-80 per cent should take around 26 minutes when charging at the maximum speed of 100kW.

For those who need more range, a bigger battery will be available in 2025, boosting the maximum to 250 miles and matching Stellantis group sister cars like the Vauxhall Frontera and the recently unveiled Fiat Grande Panda. These models and others all make use of the ‘Smart Car platform’ from the Stellantis parent company.

The e-C3 Aircross SUV takes much of its styling inspiration from the Citroen Oli concept from 2022, including the muscular front end and Citroen’s new chevron badge taking pride of place in the centre of the grille. The e-C3 Aircross clearly shares some of its DNA with the e-C3 supermini, but it does have a bespoke rear bumper and rear lights, as well as roof rails, wheelarch cladding, wider wheel tracks and an additional 20cm of ground clearance to help highlight the SUVs beefy credentials.

Step inside the car and the e-C3 Aircross carries over the dashboard design from the e-C3, featuring a head-up display, oblong-shaped steering wheel, a 10.25-inch touchscreen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, and a fabric lined dashboard top.

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Due to some clever packaging and design, the compact e-C3 Aircross should be a capable family car for its size. The large rear doors should provide easy access to the back seats, and there’s plenty of room for rear passengers as the 60:40 split bench seat in the e-C3 Aircross sits 65mm further back than in the C3 Aircross because the electric version doesn’t need to accommodate a third row of seats. Citroen claims the e-C3 Aircross has best-in-class rear knee and elbow room, as well as a cavernous 460-litre boot with a height adjustable floor – extending to 1,600 litres with the rear seats folded down. That’s a lot for a car which only measures 4.39 metres in length.

If you opt for a seven-seat hybrid C3 Aircross, there’s only 40 litres of boot space available with the third row of seats in place.

Prices are yet to be announced, but we’re told that the Citroen e-C3 Aircross will cost around £2,000 to 3,000 more than the equivalent e-C3 supermini. That means the compact SUV could start from just under £25,000. Buyers will be given two trim levels to choose from, Plus and Max, and neither are what you’d call sparsely equipped. 

The entry-level Plus trim comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, a 10.25-inch touchscreen, automatic air conditioning, Advance Comfort seats and suspension, LED headlights and wireless smartphone connectivity and a reversing camera. Safety kit like lane departure warning and driver attention alert will also be fitted as standard. 

Step up to the Max and you’ll get blind-spot detection, two-tone paint with a contrasting roof, a wireless charging pad and a heated steering wheel, heated windscreen and heated seats courtesy of the winter pack. 

So when can we expect the new Citroen e-C3 Aircross to hit showrooms? As mentioned, the new e-C3 Aircross will go on sale in September, with deliveries predicted to begin in December 2024.