When I was a kid, I used to dream of driving a Lamborghini Countach or a Vector W8. These were the cars that made my heart race and my imagination soar. They were also the cars that made no sense whatsoever. They were impractical, inefficient, unreliable, and ridiculously expensive. But they were cool, and that’s all that mattered.
Fast forward to 2024, and I’m driving a Citroen e-C3. It’s a small, boxy, electric hatchback that resembles a cross between a Lego brick and a toaster. It has a 111-hp motor and a 44-kWh battery that gives it a range of 199 miles. It costs less than $25,000, and it just won the Car of the Year award from the Company Car & Van magazine. It’s not cool, but it makes sense. It makes a lot of sense.
Why the Ă«-C3 Makes Sense
The Citroen e-C3 is the first European-designed and European-built electric car that aims to make zero-emission mobility accessible to the masses. It’s not a luxury car, a performance car, or a status symbol. It’s a car for people who want a simple, comfortable, and affordable way to get around town without polluting the air or breaking the bank.
The e-C3 is based on the Smart Car platform, which Stellantis, the parent company of Citroën, Peugeot, Fiat, and other brands, use. The platform is designed to be modular, scalable, and adaptable to different markets and segments. It also allows for low production costs and high efficiency.
The Citroen e-C3 is powered by a single electric motor that drives the front wheels. It produces 111 hp and 192 lb-ft of torque, which are enough to propel the car from 0 to 62 mph in 11 seconds and to a top speed of 84 mph. The motor is fed by a 44-kWh lithium-ion battery pack that uses LFP (lithium iron phosphate) cells, which are cheaper, safer, and more durable than the more common NMC (nickel manganese cobalt) cells. The battery pack provides a WLTP range of 199 miles, which is more than enough for most urban and suburban drivers. The Ă«-C3 can also charge at up to 100 kW, which means it can replenish 80% of its battery in just 26 minutes at a fast-charging station.
The 2024 Citroen e-C3 electric car is not a speed demon, a corner carver, or a long-distance cruiser. It’s an electric city car and a very good one at that. It’s easy to drive, easy to park, and easy to live with. It has a spacious and practical interior, with plenty of room for four adults and their luggage. It has a high driving position, good visibility, and a simple dashboard. It has a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a head-up display that shows key information, and a smartphone station that lets you use your phone as a key or a remote control. It also has many safety and driver assistance features, such as active safety brake, lane keeping assist, blind spot monitoring, and rear parking sensors.
The ë-C3 is also comfortable, thanks to Citroën’s Advanced Comfort program, which includes a specially tuned suspension, ergonomic seats, and sound insulation. The ë-C3 is designed to be a relaxing and stress-free place to be, whether you’re stuck in traffic, cruising on the highway, or exploring the countryside.
The 2024 Citroen e-C3 is also affordable, which is perhaps its biggest selling point. The base model, called Citroen e-C3 YOU!, starts at $24,500, which is less than the Nissan Leaf, the Hyundai Kona Electric, and the Kia Soul EV. The mid-range model, called PLUS, adds some extra features, such as alloy wheels, LED headlights, and a rearview camera, and costs $26,500. The top-of-the-line model, called MAX, adds even more goodies, such as a panoramic sunroof, a wireless charging pad, and a premium sound system, and costs $28,500. These prices are before any federal, state, or local incentives, which can lower the cost even further.
The ë-C3 is not the only electric car in its segment, of course. There are other contenders, such as the MG 4, the BYD Dolphin, and the Mazda MX-30. But none of them can match the ë-C3’s combination of range, charging speed, practicality, comfort, and price. The ë-C3 is the electric car that makes sense for most people, most of the time.
How the Ă«-C3 Compares to Its Rivals
To see how the ë-C3 stacks up against its competitors, let’s take a look at a comparison table that shows some key specifications and features of each model.
| Model | Price | Range | Charging Speed | Power | Torque | 0-62 mph | Top Speed | Cargo Space |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Citroën ë-C3 | $24,500 | 199 miles | 100 kW | 111 hp | 192 lb-ft | 11 s | 84 mph | 11.8 cu ft |
| MG 4 | $25,000 | 218 miles | 80 kW | 143 hp | 192 lb-ft | 8.5 s | 93 mph | 14.6 cu ft |
| BYD Dolphin | $26,000 | 211 miles | 60 kW | 136 hp | 162 lb-ft | 9.9 s | 93 mph | 11.6 cu ft |
| Mazda MX-30 | $28,000 | 124 miles | 50 kW | 143 hp | 200 lb-ft | 9.7 s | 87 mph | 12.1 cu ft |
As you can see, the Citroen e-C3 has the lowest price, the second-highest range, the highest charging speed, the lowest power, the highest torque, the slowest acceleration, the lowest top speed, and the smallest cargo space. The MG 4 has the highest range, the second-highest charging speed, the highest power, the highest torque, the fastest acceleration, the highest top speed, and the largest cargo space. The BYD Dolphin has the second-lowest price, the third-highest range, the third-highest charging speed, the second-lowest power, the lowest torque, the second-slowest acceleration, the second-highest top speed, and the second-smallest cargo space. The Mazda MX-30 has the highest price, the lowest range, the lowest charging speed, the second-highest power, the second-highest torque, the second-fastest acceleration, the second-lowest top speed, and the second-largest cargo space.
Based on this table, the MG 4 seems to be the best performer, the BYD Dolphin seems to be the best value, and the Mazda MX-30 seems to be the worst choice. The Ă«-C3 seems to be a balanced option with no major flaws or strengths. But of course, there are other factors to consider, such as design, quality, reliability, warranty, and customer service. These are more subjective and personal and may vary depending on your preferences and needs.
Why You Should Consider the Ă«-C3
If you’re looking for a small electric car that can handle your daily driving needs without costing you a fortune, you should consider the ë-C3. It’s a sensible, practical, and comfortable car that offers a decent range, fast charging, and a low price. It’s not a flashy, sporty, or luxurious car, but it’s a car that works. It’s a car that makes sense.
The 2024 Citroen e-C3 is also an electric car that reflects Citroën’s vision and values. It’s a car that embodies the brand’s motto: “Be different, feel good”. It’s a car that stands out from the crowd with its distinctive design, its innovative features, and its cheerful personality. It’s a car that makes you feel good, whether you’re driving it, riding in it, or looking at it.
The ë-C3 is not a car for everyone, of course. If you want more power, performance, luxury, or prestige, you may want to look elsewhere. But if you want a car that does what it’s supposed to do and does it well, you may want to give the ë-C3 a try. You may be surprised by how much sense it makes. @via Company Car & Van magazine.
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