New Citroen C3 Aircross is “segment’s first” 7-seater with EV options

Citroen’s quirky but functional Aircross has returned, and it’s bigger, tougher, and more spacious than ever. Things just got interesting for Dacia’s supremely practical Jogger…

If you fell for the new Citroen e-C3’s boxy, no-nonsense styling, but wished it was just a tad more spacious, the new Aircross is here to save the day.  

Adding around 400mm to the wheelbase of its little brother (or about 200mm compared to the outgoing model), the Aircross facilitates a far roomier cabin with greater legroom and seating for up to seven people. Crucially, though, it hasn’t grown to the stage where it’s unwieldy to nip around town. Retaining the regular C3’s compact and versatile feel was a non-negotiable for Citroen’s engineers. 

So, it gets a tick for practicality, but have the designers met their “tough and muscular” styling brief? Well, it’s no G-Wagen, however, a significant lift in ground clearance, larger wheels, and a wider track, all contribute to a more rugged looking machine – even if those looks don’t translate to a drastically heightened off-road potential.

Out on the road, comfort should also rank highly thanks to standard all-season Goodyear Vector 4 Season tyres with relatively tall sidewalls – handy for pothole-peppered UK roads or unpaved farm tracks. Equally, a higher driving position and the firm’s latest tech and features should both make for a serene experience. 

While there’s little we can tell you about the performance at this early preview stage, a range of powertrains including petrol, hybrid, and even a fully-electric model, have been confirmed. We don’t expect blistering acceleration or a vast range (but neither do its customers), and that should help drive the asking price down to Dacia’s ultra-affordable levels.  

The big space, low price mandate is a simple one, but as E-SUV asking prices continue to soar, the spacious new Aircross could be the breath of fresh air large families are looking for.  

How much do you think Citroen’s new 7-seater will cost when the UK order books open later this year?

Hero image credit: Citroen