CAR REVIEW – Citroën E-C3 Max Electric Hatchback (2025)

Citroën has been a staple of European motoring, renowned for its quirky designs and focus on comfort. With the launch of the Citroën E-C3 Max Electric Hatchback 2025, the French automaker brings its characteristic flair to Britain’s growing EV market. Designed to be affordable, practical, and ready for urban and suburban life, this compact electric hatch aims to carve out a space in the increasingly competitive world of small EVs.

Design: Practical and Playful

The E-C3 Max embraces Citroën’s well-known playful aesthetic. Its chunky yet refined design combines bold geometric shapes with modern elements like distinctive daytime running LED lights, subtle accents, and aerodynamic touches. The slightly raised ride height is ideal for Britain’s potholed roads and narrow urban streets.

Drivers will appreciate the extensive customisation options, with a variety of duotone colour combinations and stylish alloy wheels to stand out in the crowd—a nice way for budget-conscious driving instructors to add a little flair.

Interior: Comfort for Everyday 

Inside, the E-C3 Max prioritises comfort and practicality with typical Citroën charm. The cabin is modern, with high-quality materials for the price and a pleasantly uncluttered dashboard. The 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system is simple to navigate and includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which will appeal to tech-savvy drivers.

But what really stands out is its spaciousness. For a hatchback of this size, the interior feels unusually roomy, with generous headroom and rear-passenger legroom. The flat rear floor layout ensures that even three adults can sit in the back (albeit snugly). The boot offers 310 litres of space, making it more than ample for a week’s grocery shop or bags for a weekend getaway.

Citroën’s Advanced Comfort Seats, renowned among its lineup, make for a relaxing ride even over the notoriously uneven surfaces of our B-roads. Add climate-controlled air conditioning as standard and a healthy number of USB Type-C ports for passengers, and the cabin caters perfectly for busy families or tech-laden commuters.

Performance: Perfect for the UK’s Mix of Roads

The E-C3 Max is powered by a 110-horsepower electric motor, offering sprightly performance perfect for urban areas. While its 0–62mph time of around 10 seconds won’t win drag races, its instant torque ensures zippy acceleration for navigating British city traffic or overtaking on single-carriageway roads.

The light steering makes parking and weaving through tight streets a breeze, while its compliant suspension handles speed bumps and potholes effortlessly—perfect for uneven city centres like Birmingham or Edinburgh. On motorways, the E-C3 Max remains composed, though it’s clear that this hatchback was designed primarily for urban and suburban use rather than high-speed thrills.

Range and Charging: Seamlessly Practical

For drivers concerned about range anxiety, the E-C3 Max boasts a 250-mile range (WLTP), making it competitive for its class. In real-world conditions, expect around 200–220 miles, depending on driving style and weather—more than sufficient for most British commutes and longer road trips with a charging stop.

Charging infrastructure continues to expand across the UK, and the E-C3 Max’s 100kW DC fast charging capability means you can add 100 miles in just 20 minutes at a public rapid charger. For home charging, hooking it up to a 7kW wallbox will fully replenish the battery in under 7 hours—perfect for overnight charging with tariff discounts offered by UK energy providers like Octopus Energy.

Running Costs: Affordable to Own

One of the E-C3 Max’s strongest selling points is its affordability. It undercuts many rivals like the Vauxhall Corsa Electric or Peugeot e-208. It’s not a premium car, true, but it delivers strong value for driving instructors looking to make the switch to EVs.

With no road tax (at the moment) and much lower running costs compared to petrol or diesel alternatives, the E-C3 Max should make sense for cost-conscious households. Add in potentially lower insurance premiums for EVs, and it’s a winner on the financial front.

Verdict: A Well-Rounded Solution 

The Citroën E-C3 Max Electric Hatchback 2025 hits squarely at the heart of what most driving instructorsneed: a fun, affordable, and practical EV for everyday driving. With excellent range, an affordable price tag, and all the comfort and tech you need, it’s well-positioned to become a strong contender in Britain’s growing small EV segment.

Sure, it lacks the posh materials or sporty dynamics of pricier competitors, but as a no-nonsense introduction to the world of electric motoring, the Citroën E-C3 Max does exactly what it says on the tin—and then some. Whether you’re navigating London’s congestion charge zone or heading to the Peak District for the weekend, this homage to Citroën’s budget-friendly ethos gets the job done.

Score: 8/10

Pros: Affordable price, practical and refined, solid range, hassle-free city driving

Cons: Basic performance, some interior finishes feel cost-cutting