Image Source: Freepress Journal
The Citroën eC3 has become a strong contender among budget-friendly EVs in India, offering a smooth and comfortable ride in a compact design. After clocking over 1,000 km, including office commutes, late-night drives, airport runs, and long trips with friends, its suspension quality stood out the most. Citroën’s reputation for comfort holds true here, softening uneven city roads and keeping passengers relaxed even when fully loaded, as highlighted by Autocar India’s review of the eC3. The cabin feels spacious for four, and its compact size makes weaving through traffic surprisingly easy. With a usable city range of around 180 km, it handles everyday urban travel well, which aligns with the Times of India Auto assessment of its performance. However, it also came with a few surprising quirks. Parking the eC3 on a slope locked the boot, forcing it to be moved back to flat ground to access the charger, something odd for a car costing close to ₹13 lakh, as noted in CarDekho’s long-term review. Charging had its challenges too, with the plug sometimes getting stuck in the port, and in some cases, the car stopped charging randomly during both AC and DC sessions due to overheating.
On the inside, a few quality concerns were hard to ignore. The rear charging ports were broken and stuck inside their casing, and the rearview mirror came loose when flicked to avoid a high beam, which felt surprising in a car with less than 7,000 km on the odometer. Despite these issues, what the eC3 gets right makes it stand out. It is comfortable, simple to drive, and ideal for daily commutes and family use. For those considering options, it is worth looking at rivals like the Tata Punch EV, which offers a more feature-rich experience, or the Citroën eC3 Shine DT variant, priced around ₹13 lakh, for buyers who want better equipment. The Citroën eC3 may not be flawless, but it still strikes a balance between affordability and comfort, making it an appealing option for anyone stepping into the EV space despite its hiccups.
