New Citroen e-C3 Aircross: move over Mercedes EQB, a new 7-seat EV is here

Citroen has been teasing us for a while, but the budget-focussed Citroen e-C3 Aircross has finally been revealed, with the potential to become the cheapest electric seven-seat car when it arrives in showrooms.

Following a traditional SUV shape, the e-C3 Aircross has a raised ride height compared to the e-C3 supermini with Citroen incorporating styling elements seen on the Citroen Oli concept from 2022. There's a chunky front end with Citroen’s new badge placed over a blanked, chevron patterned grille and fog lights low down in the front bumper.

Styling cues from the e-C3 continue further back, but the rear lights and bumper are bespoke to the Aircross. Despite the car’s design being influenced by the supermini, the Aircross gets wider wings and wheel tracks, as well as roof rails and wheel arch cladding to enhance its SUV stance.

With focus on practicality, Citroen has managed to squeeze seven seats into the small supermini footprint, albeit one that is extended compared to the e-C3. Citroen claims this is a first in the segment and has boosted practicality further by making the third row seats foldable.

Pricing for the e-C3 Aircross is yet to be announced but Citroen previously quoted a price tag of ‘under £23,000’ for the e-C3. While we don’t expect the e-C3 Aircross to be as inexpensive, it could very well come in at under £30,000, with the next-cheapest seven-seater electric SUV being the Mercedes EQB, with a starting price of £52,800.

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Key to this low starting price will be the inclusion of a lithium ferro-phosphate (LFP) battery pack. These types of batteries are cheaper to produce than traditional lithium-ion packs and utilise fewer precious metals. Unfortunately, LFP batteries are less efficient in extreme temperatures than their lithium-ion counterparts, meaning that range figures are likely to tumble during cold British winters.

Speaking of range, the Citroen e-C3 Aircross will get the same 44kWh battery as the smaller e-C3 which, in that car, provides a range of up to 199 miles. Of course, due to the larger size of the Aircross, we can expect this figure to be slightly smaller. We do, however, expect an additional larger battery pack to be offered yielding more range, made possible by the extended body.

Citroen is remaining coy on the Aircross’ specification, and we’re yet to see inside the cabin, but it’s almost certain that the SUV will get the same dash layout as the supermini, with a head-up display, oblong steering wheel and 10-inch touchscreen. Higher-spec Aircross models should also come with Citroen’s ‘Advance Comfort’ seats, a rear view camera, auto headlights and rain-sensing wipers, as well as wireless smartphone charging.

So when will the Citroen e-C3 hit showrooms? Well, we’re going to have to wait a little longer to find out. We can expect a mid-summer market launch for the new e-C3 Aircross with more details to come in the next few weeks, so we’ll keep you posted.

Both e-C3 and e-C3 Aircross models are the first of several new EVs set to arrive over the next few years that are to make use of the brand’s low-cost ‘Smart Platform’, including the all-new Vauxhall Frontera.