Mat’s Car of the Day: the Citroen e-C3 is a bargain electric car which is perfect for the UK’s potholed streets
Car changing is a big deal
Mat Watson explains why the Citroen e-C3 could be the ideal electric car for urban living, and how to get the best deal before you buy one.
Citroen knows how to make comfy cars – it’s been doing so since it built the 2CV at the end of the second world war. The new Citroen e-C3 takes that car’s philosophy and reinvents it for the modern age, because it’s a cheap electric car which is way more comfortable to drive than its price tag suggests.
After reviewing this car, here’s why I think you should add it to your shortlist. I’ll also give you some handy hints on how to save some money when buying an e-C3, as well as point out some drawbacks to consider.
Remember, you can buy a brand new or used car right here on Carwow. And you can sell your car, too. We’re here to help you through every step of your car-changing journey.
Three reasons to buy a Citroen e-C3
1. It’s really comfortable
The Citroen e-C3 has clever suspension to soak up any bumps your average UK town can throw at it. You also have Citroen’s super-supportive comfort seats to make long stints behind the wheel a bit easier on your back. It’s much more comfortable than a BYD Dolphin Surf.
2. The interior looks cool
It may be an affordable car, but the e-C3 has a really nice interior. Yes, it’s full of cheap plastics, but the light accents across the dashboard and the small steering wheel make it look quirky. I also like how the digital driver’s display is set above the wheel – it keeps it in your direct eyeline.
3. It’s excellent value for money, and there are great deals available
The Citroen e-C3 starts from just under £20,000, making it one of the cheapest electric cars on sale today. But before you go to your nearest dealer and pay the full price, make sure you check out Carwow.
Right now you can save an average of £3,675 on a new Citroen e-C3, but the best offer is on the top-spec Max version. This car comes with a reversing camera, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel and wireless phone charging, and through Carwow you can get one for just over £18,300 on PCP finance. That’s a saving of almost £5,500.
Three annoying things about the Citroen e-C3
1. The range isn’t great
The Citroen e-C3 has a claimed range of 199 miles, which isn’t loads to start with. However, during a Carwow cheap cars range test it only managed to do 171 miles. That’s 30 miles less than the mechanically-similar Fiat Grande Panda managed in the same test.
2. There’s no heat pump
A heat pump is a device fitted to some electric cars which warms the cabin up more efficiently, but the Citroen e-C3 doesn’t have one. The upshot of this is the range takes another hit in the winter months, as we found out when running one for six months. In colder weather, you’ll be lucky to get 150 miles from it.
3. The boot is an awkward shape
The 310-litre boot may be a decent size on paper, beating the Vauxhall Corsa Electric by over 30 litres, but the opening is an awkward shape and there’s a massive lip to lift stuff over. Loading heavy items is a bit of a faff.
Car change? Carwow!
Looking for a new set of wheels? With Carwow you can sell your car quickly and for a fair price – as well as find great offers on your next one. Whether you’re looking to buy a car brand new, are after something used or you want to explore car leasing options, Carwow is your one stop shop for new car deals.
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