Why is the Citroen e-C3 one of our favourite small electric cars? 

It wasn’t too long ago that you couldn’t get behind the wheel of an electric car for less than £30,000, but nowadays there are loads of cheap and cheerful EVs popping up for way less than that.

The Citroen e-C3 is a perfect case in point. Here you have a good-looking, practical and comfortable small electric car which can be yours for less than £20,000. We like this car so much that we’re living with one for six months, and Video Project Manager Giulia McCarthy won the battle for the keys.

Why is the Citroen e-C3 a good car?

Let’s start with the basics – it looks really cool. The C-shaped headlights and bluff front end are an adorable attempt to make this car look rough and tough, but in reality it’s just plain cute. Giulia’s car looks especially good with its light blue paint and white roof.

It’s surprisingly comfortable as well for such an affordable car. It soaks up bumps around town astonishingly well, which is good seeing as this is where it’ll likely spend most of its time.

That boxy body also means that there’s a good amount of space in the back, and you can even fit a bulky rear-facing child seat without too much drama.

We also like this car’s interior layout, because it has a funky square steering wheel and a neat driver’s display above it. The materials are pretty cool as well, and the light colours make it feel quite cheerful.

Citroen e-C3 deals: where this car really sets itself apart

The biggest draw to the Citroen e-C3 is the price, because it’s one of only a handful of electric cars which cost less than £20,000.

Prices start from £19,995, but you can save an average of almost £3,700 on a new e-C3 right now. That brings the price down to less than £16,500, which is around the same as a high-spec Dacia Spring – a car which is much smaller and nowhere near as good to drive.

The best deals can be found on the top-spec Max version, with discounts of up to £5,750 available at the time of writing. That’s a saving of 24%, and you get loads of kit as standard.

The Max comes with heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, cruise control and a 10.3-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also has the larger of two battery options, boosting range from 130 miles to a much more useful 201 miles.

What other cars should I consider before buying a Citroen e-C3?

The Citroen e-C3 is great, but it’s also not perfect. There are a few drawbacks to this car to consider before buying, and here are three alternatives which address these pitfalls.

Renault 5: more fun to drive

The Citroen e-C3 is comfortable, but it does feel a bit wallowy on a twisty road. The Renault 5 has sharper steering and feels more agile through the bends, but the rear seats are pretty cramped. This is easy to forgive though because it also looks fantastic.

Hyundai Inster: the practical choice

If you’re after a small EV which maximises on interior space, the Hyundai Inster is the car to choose. Top-spec models get clever sliding rear seats which allow you to create acres of rear legroom, or a cavernous boot depending on what you need.

Peugeot E-208: better range

The Citroen e-C3’s 200-mile range won’t be enough for some, but the Peugeot E-208 can do up to 268 miles between charges. It’s more expensive than the Citroen, but Carwow savings bring the Peugeot down to around £22,000 at the time of writing.

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.

Click here to follow us on WhatsApp, where you can keep up-to-date with all the latest news, reviews, advice guides and videos.

*Savings are made up of the maximum dealer discount off RRP – subject to dealership, location and trim. Prices correct at the time of writing.