The new C3 is Citroën's main launch in 2024 and is doubly important. On the one hand, it represents the brand's largest volume, up to ⅓ of sales, and on the other, it embodies Citroën's new positioning as a popular and accessible brand.
During its presentation, Citroën struck a major blow with the electric C3, priced from €23,300 excluding government subsidies, but with a good level of equipment, fast charging and Advanced Comfort suspension. As we have seen with the thermal engines, the new C3 is a fairly unique offer on the market, since its only real competition is the Dacia Sandero, you will see that also in electric, it is quite alone in its market.
Renault R5
This is THE most important competitor to the new C3 as it comes from a French competitor. The new R5 is inspired by previous generations to offer an electric car with a sexy and retro look, but for the time being it will not compete directly with the new Citroën C3.
In fact, Renault will only be marketing the high-end versions of its new R5, which will be available from the beginning of 2025. With 150 hp and a 52 kWh battery, the new R5 has a range of 400 km, which has to be conditioned because it uses an NMC battery. However, unlike the LFP batteries in the new electric C3, the NMC battery cannot be recharged to more than 80%, so the real range of the new Renault R5 is 320 km, the same as that of the Chevron saloon.
As for the price, Renault is again only offering the top-of-the-range versions and is announcing an R5 for around €25,000 in 2025, without specifying the exact date or whether this €25,000 is with or without state aid. At most, we know that it will have a 40 kWh battery and a 95 hp engine for a total range of 300 km, but a real range of 240 km (80% charged) and that it will not have fast charging like the new ë-C3.
Finally, in terms of habitability, the new Renault R5 is almost 10 cm smaller than the C3 but has an equivalent wheelbase that Renault has used to offer a larger boot volume (326 litres compared to 310 for the C3) but the first confrontations announce a very insufficient legroom for the electric diamond sedan unlike the C3 which itself has one of the best spaces in the segment.
The comparison between the Renault R5 and the Citroën C3 is still difficult because Renault has not revealed all the characteristics of the flagship version of its new electric saloon, which shows a superior positioning to that of the C3. It also seems that the R5 will first attack the Peugeot e-208 and Mini, which are significantly more expensive versions than the C3, and that the battle between the C3 and the R5 could only take place on certain versions, but we will have to wait until Renault unveils the full range of the R5 by 2025.
Hyundai Inster
A newcomer to the B-segment electric saloon market, Hyundai presented its Inster in June 2024. The small electric SUV will compete with Citroën's new C3, with a starting price announced at around €22,000, without specifying whether this is a price with or without subsidies.
The Hyundai Inster offers a 97 hp electric motor in the basic version and a 42 kWh battery for a range of around 300 km. The main drawback of Hyundai's small SUV is its size, as it is only 3.82 m long, almost 20 cm shorter than the new C3, but above all it is only 1.61 m wide compared to the C3's 1.76 m, which inevitably has an impact on the interior space, especially the elbow and shoulder room.
The Dacia Spring could have been included in this comparison, but it does not really belong in the same segment as the new C3. In fact, with its reduced dimensions (3m70 long and 1m58 wide), the Spring is considerably smaller than the Citroën electric saloon and as a result the interior is much more habitable. Above all, the Spring has an engine of only 65 hp and a range of 225 km, 100 km less than the new electric C3. Manufactured in China, the Dacia Spring does not benefit from state aid, which is reflected in its price, starting at €18,900, barely €400 less than a C3 You, which offers much better equipment.
In conclusion, the new Citroën C3 is a fairly unique offering in the B-segment sedan market, both in terms of its thermal range and its electric range, as the R5 is aimed at a higher level in terms of price and engine power, while the Hyundai and Dacia offerings are a little lower in terms of external dimensions and therefore habitability. Of course, the competition will grow in the coming years, but Citroën's lead in this market segment is real and will be a clear advantage.
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