Citroën's second major launch this year, the second-generation C3 Aircross uses the technical base of the new C3 to finally offer electrified, hybrid MHEV and electric versions to meet the needs of the entire market. The new C3 Aircross, with its significantly larger dimensions and excellent living space, offers a solid case for high levels of comfort at an unbeatable price.
Second confrontation with its closest rivals: the 100% electric versions, where the competition is not so numerous. The C3 Aircross therefore has an advantage as it enters a segment of electric urban SUVs that is not yet very competitive, it will cross paths with the Peugeot 2008, but above all with the Opel Frontera, with which it shares many elements.
MG ZS EV
Chinese competition is a major concern in the automotive industry and, until now, MG has been hit hard with its ZS EV, but Citroën is regaining the advantage with the ë-C3 Aircross, helped by the end of government aid for cars coming from China.
Thus, the MG electric SUV sees its range start at €33,990 for a version with a 156 hp engine and 320 km of autonomy, while the C3 Aircross offers a 113 hp engine and a range of 300 km. However, the Citroën electric SUV is sold from €27,400 excluding subsidies, which makes it €23,400 cheaper than its Chinese rival, or €10,000 less! So, yes, the MG ZS EV is very well equipped compared to the C3 Aircross, but the latter, in the fully equipped Max version, is priced at €31,600 excluding bonus or €27,600 after subsidies, or again €6,000 less than the Chinese SUV.
Opel Frontera
This is undoubtedly the toughest competition for the new C3 Aircross as both share the same platform, engine and battery and the same factory.
However, the Opel SUV is slightly more expensive than the C3 Aircross at entry level with a gap, in favour of the Citroën SUV, of 1,600 €, but offers a better level of equipment with a 10-inch instrument cluster, a 2-position boot floor and the visibility pack, while the C3 Aircross has the advantage of the exclusive Advanced Comfort suspension. To benefit from a comparable level of equipment, you will have to opt for the You Pack Plus version of the C3 Aircross, priced at €23,500, so the two Stellantis SUVs are extremely close and the difference will be in comfort, to the advantage of the Citroën, and in style.
The C3 Aircross will also compete with the electric versions of the Peugeot 2008 or the Hyundai Kona, but the latter, although they have a better level of equipment and superior features, especially for the Korean SUV which has a greater autonomy, are much more expensive than the C3 Aircross with a starting price of €36,850 for the Hyundai Kona electric or €38,080 for the 2008 electric, i.e. almost €15,000 in favour of the C3 Aircross.
In conclusion, the main competitor of the new electric C3 Aircross is undoubtedly its cousin Stellantis, the Opel Frontera, whose characteristics are very similar as the two vehicles share a large number of elements. Consumers will choose on the basis of style or dynamics, but in the end Stellantis will win. In any case, in a market segment that is still very small, such as that of electric urban SUVs, there is room for the C3 Aircross and its cousin, the Opel Frontera, which are paving the way for accessible electric SUVs.
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