Cheapest Citroën ever on power: ë-C3 mounts attack on Dacia Spring

Budget EV with mature appeal

Citroën wants to make electric driving accessible to everyone, and it is getting better at it. For just under 21,000 euros, you can now get into a car that not only drives electrically, but is also on par with more expensive competitors in terms of comfort.

The new entry-level version of the ë-C3 has an electric motor with 60 kW (82 hp) and achieves a range of 200 kilometers according to the WLTP cycle. That is enough for many Dutch people for daily use – from commuting to shopping and weekend trips around the neighborhood. Fast charging is possible with up to 30 kW, which takes 40 minutes to recharge the battery from 20 to 80 percent. In short: not a vacation car, but one that you can do almost everything else with.Still need more range? The version with large battery – and 320 kilometersrange – will of course remain available. If you don’t like driving electrically, then you need the C3 on gasoline.

Two versions: You and Plus

Citroën keeps the offerings uncluttered. The base version is called ë-C3 You. It is anything but bare: air conditioning, LED daytime running lights, rear parking sensors, Active Safety Brake, Lane Departure Warning, the Citroën Head-Up Display and a Smartphone Station are standard.

Those who want a little more comfort choose the ë-C3 Plus (24,300 euros road-ready). That one adds 17-inch rims, LED headlights, roof rails, a 10.25-inch infotainment screen, wireless smartphone integration, Advanced Comfort seats and an electric handbrake.

Compact, but comfortable

Comfort is one of Citroën’s strengths. The ë-C3 is equipped with Citroën Advanced Comfort goodies, such as thicker-than-average padded seats and comfortable suspension that smoothly filters out bumps.  

Competition for the Dacia Spring

The cheapest car in the Netherlands remains the Dacia Spring, with a price just under 18,000 euros. But where the Spring excels mainly in simplicity, the Citroën ë-C3 offers more space and comfort.

In terms of performance, the two are not far apart: the basic Spring has 51 kW (70 hp) and a range of 225 km, while the ë-C3 offers 60 kW (82 hp) and reaches 200 km. So the difference is mainly in comfort, handling and appearance. The Citroën fills exactly the gap between the ultra-cheap Spring and the more expensive electric city cars such as the Fiat 500e or Peugeot e-208.

Also review: Big car, small price? – Citroën C3 (2025) Review – AutoRAI TV