Skip advert
Advertisement

Car of the Year 2024: Citroen e-C3

The new all-electric Citroen e-C3 is the Auto Express Car of the Year for 2024

Picking an overall winner is really difficult this year. Many of the new candidates, including the likes of the Dacia Duster, the MG3 and the Skoda Octavia, are truly fantastic cars, and each has a huge amount to offer in its own right. However, one car stood above them all: the Citroen e-C3.  

Advertisement - Article continues below

The new e-C3 is a deserved winner not just for what a great car it is, but also for how significant it is moving forward. Last year’s New Car Awards winner, the Hyundai Kona Electric, rightly received our laurels for offering so much electric family car for a smidge under £40,000. So when Citroen turned up with a capable electric car that starts from just over half that figure, our attention was instantly grabbed. Better still, there will be an even cheaper electric variant turning up in the future, too. And as with the Kona, the fact that there are cheaper petrol variants available only adds to the appeal.

All of that would count hugely in the e-C3’s favour if it was merely an average car elsewhere, but several other standout qualities thrust it to the forefront. For such a small car, the e-C3 is very spacious, with rear legroom to rival significantly larger cars from the class above. Then there’s the way it drives; a focus on comfort makes perfect sense for a car designed primarily for urban streets, and the e-C3 rides superbly over bumpy roads. Plus it’s easy to drive, the tech works well and there’s loads of storage. 

Advertisement - Article continues below
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Most of all, though, this is exactly what the world needs. It’s all very well building heavy electric SUVs, but it will be compact, simple and efficient EVs that make the most sense for most buyers. And that, as much as any other reason,
is why the e-C3 is a hugely worthy winner.

Congratulations, Citroen: the e-C3 is our Car of the Year for 2024.

You can find all the information on our New Car Awards 2024 winners and the reasons why we chose them on the pages below. Just follow the links to read more…

New Car Awards 2024: the winners

Special edition of Auto Express

Auto Express Issue 1,838

For the full New Car Awards experience, make sure you pick up a copy of our special 2024 New Car Awards collectors' edition of the Auto Express magazine, which is available in shops now.

Subscribe to Auto Express magazine

You can buy individual issues of Auto Express or subscribe for even bigger discounts on the print magazine cover price. You can also subscribe or download individual issues of our digital edition direct to your desktop, phone or tablet as well.

Stay right up to date with the latest from the world of cars in 2024 and beyond, subscribe to our email newsletter and follow us on social media...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Chief reviewer

Alex joined Auto Express as staff writer in early 2018, helping out with news, drives, features, and the occasional sports report. His current role of Chief reviewer sees him head up our road test team, which gives readers the full lowdown on our comparison tests.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Citroen C3 and C3 Aircross get a new 'adventure-inspired' Outdoor trim
Citroen C3 and C3 Aircross Outdoor trim - front 3/4

Citroen C3 and C3 Aircross get a new 'adventure-inspired' Outdoor trim

The adventurous trim level sits above Max in the line-up, bringing with it exclusive styling and extra equipment
News
7 Oct 2026
Best new cars for under £300 per month
Best cars for under £300 per month - header image

Best new cars for under £300 per month

You can get these top cars for minimal cash
Best cars & vans
31 Jul 2026
Best small cars to buy 2026
Best small cars 07_2026

Best small cars to buy 2026

Small cars come in all shapes, if not sizes. Here we highlight the best ones to buy
Best cars & vans
13 Jul 2026
Best superminis to buy 2026
Best superminis - header image

Best superminis to buy 2026

It's a hard-fought class, but these are the 10 best superminis on sale right now
Best cars & vans
2 Jul 2026

Most Popular

New Chery Approved Used scheme aims to boost confidence and attack second-hand car market
Used Chery - dealership

New Chery Approved Used scheme aims to boost confidence and attack second-hand car market

Eligible cars will get a two-year warranty, plus a handful of other benefits
News
7 Oct 2026
New Jaguar Type 01 review: early verdict on controversial electric GT
Jaguar GT prototype - front

New Jaguar Type 01 review: early verdict on controversial electric GT

The covers have come off the all-new Jag GT, but look past the styling and there’s a seriously talented luxury limo in there. We’ve driven it!
Road tests
7 Oct 2026
New Audi A2 e-tron goes on sale: yours for under £31k with the EV grant
Audi A2 e-tron - Phil McNamara front

New Audi A2 e-tron goes on sale: yours for under £31k with the EV grant

As the reborn A2 goes on sale, Audi has confirmed it’s eligible for the Band 2 government grant and detailed its specs
News
7 Oct 2026

Find a car with the experts