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By Jonathan Crouch

Citroen's e-C3 Aircross aims to bring more affordability and style to the segment for small all-electric SUVs. Jonathan Crouch drives it.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 50

Citroen's first all-electric compact SUV is this car, the e-C3 Aircross. There aren't too many compromises with practicality over the combustion versions, but you'll need to be happy with the relatively restricted charging speed and battery range. If you are, then this might make a charismatic little family second car.

Backgroundword count: 99

If you're fed up with being quoted expensive prices for that new full-electric compact SUV your family needs, perhaps as a second car, don't give up quite yet. Here's one that's more affordable, without being dispiritingly budget-minded: the Citroen e-C3 Aircross. Like its close Stellantis cousin and rival, Vauxhall's Frontera Electric, the e-C3 Aircross is based on that conglomerate's more affordable-to-make 'Smart Car' platform. Which means that it's more affordable than other Stellantis Group small electric SUV models of this size (like the Vauxhall Mokka Electric and the Peugeot E-2008). But compromises over cars like those seem relatively few.

Driving Experienceword count: 277

This car was launched with the option of an entry-level 44kWh 'Standard range' battery but for our market, Citroen is focusing primarily on the larger 'Extended Range' 54kWh battery pack, which is capable of up to 249 miles between charges. It's paired to the 113hp front axle-mounted motor that usually features on small Stellantis EVs, propelling the car to 62mph in 13s en route to just 89mph flat out. Whatever kind of powertrain you choose in your Aircross, you'll find that ride comfort is prioritised, a traditional Citroen attribute, thanks to the fact that the Advanced Comfort shock absorber hydraulic bump stops from larger models have been carried over to this one. Is it 'magic carpet-like', as Citroen suggests? No, not really; but it's certainly better than the class norm (and noticeably better than the equivalent - and otherwise identically-engineered - Vauxhall Frontera). The remainder of the damping set-up is conventional, with MacPherson strut front suspension and a torsion beam rear end. What differs the C3 Aircross from the C3 supermini is this SUV model's slightly raised driving position. That's due to greater ground clearance, though there's not enough of that to facilitate the off-road adventures the chunky styling suggests this Citroen might be up for. The potential for on-road adventures - at least in terms of driving enjoyment around the twisty stuff - is even more limited than it usually is in this class of car. Somewhat over-assisted steering sees to that, though of course you get the benefit of that in this car's preferred city habitat. Towing is pretty much out of the question in the e-C3 Aircross, with braked capacity rated at just 350kg.

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