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BMW i3 vs Citroën ë-C3
Selected trim120Ah · 2018-22193 mi · 42.2 kWh · £35,180
At a glance
In this comparison, BMW i3 leads on family practicality, running costs and city driving, while the Citroën ë-C3 leads on value for money.
Which should you choose?
Choose the BMW i3 if...
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 2.1p per mile on off-peak electricity
- you drive in the city - it's compact with an excellent turning circle
Choose the Citroën ë-C3 if...
- you want the most for your money - best overall spec per pound
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The BMW i3 wins almost every category - it's the clear choice unless price is the deciding factor.
ValueCitroën
BMW
3.4
Citroën
4.8
FamilyBMW
BMW
4.9
Citroën
2.7
Cost Per MileBMW
BMW
5.4
Citroën
3.4
City DrivingBMW
BMW
8.7
Citroën
8
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
BMW i3
120Ah
- 59 miles more WLTP range
- 42 kW more power
- 4.3s quicker 0-62 mph
- 0.7 m tighter turning circle
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | BMW i3120Ah | Citroën ë-C3Urban Range |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £35,180 | £19,995 (better) |
| Official range | 193 miles (better) | 134 miles |
| Boot space | 260 L | 310 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 42 min | 36 min (better) |
| 0-62 mph | 7.3 sec (better) | 11.6 sec |
Size Comparison
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BMW i3
Citroën ë-C3
Length
BMW i34,006mm-9mm
Citroën ë-C34,015mm
Width
BMW i31,775mm
Citroën ë-C31,755mm-20mm
Height
BMW i31,598mm
Citroën ë-C31,577mm-21mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | BMW i3120Ah | Citroën ë-C3Urban Range |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,006 mm | 4,015 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,775 mm | 1,755 mm (better) |
| Width with mirrors out | 1,999 mm | Not available |
| Height | 1,598 mm | 1,577 mm |
| Turning circle | 9.9 m (better) | 10.6 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 625 mm spare | 645 mm spare (better) |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | BMW i3120Ah | Citroën ë-C3Urban Range |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 4 | 5 (better) |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | 2 | Not available |
| Boot space (seats up) | 260 L | 310 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1100 L | Not available |
Full specifications
| Specification |  BMW i3 120Ah |  Citroën ë-C3 Urban Range |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.01m | 4.01m+9mm |
| Width | 1.77m | 1.75m-20mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.00m | Not available |
| Height | 1.60m | 1.58m-21mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.57m | 2.54m-30mm |
| Ground Clearance | 160mm | Not available |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 260L | 310L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | 1100L | Not available |
| Seats | 4 | 5 (better) |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 9.9m (better) | 10.6m |
| Kerb Weight | 1,320kg (better) | 1,413kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 42.2kWh (better) | 30kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 193 mi (better) | 134 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 50kW (better) | 30kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £35,180 | £19,995 (better) |
| Price after EV grant | £35,180 (not eligible) | £18,495 (-£1,500) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Available | 2018–2022 | 2024+ |
* Citroën ë-C3: Euro NCAP crash-safety rating not published. The vehicle has been assessed under the Green NCAP sustainability programme only.
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | BMW i3120Ah | Citroën ë-C3Urban Range |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 193 miles (better) | 134 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 129 miles (better) | 94 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 42 min | 36 min (better) |
| Max rapid charge rate | 50 kW (better) | 30 kW |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW (better) | 7.4 kW |
| Energy consumption | 152 Wh/km (better) | 165 Wh/km |
| Usable battery capacity | 37.9 kWh (better) | 29.8 kWh |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | LFP |
| Battery architecture | 400V | Not available |
| Heat pump | Not standard | Not available |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | BMW i3120Ah | Citroën ë-C3Urban Range |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 7.3 sec (better) | 11.6 sec |
| Power | 125 kW (better) | 83 kW |
| Torque | 250 Nm (better) | 120 Nm |
| Drivetrain | RWD | FWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests.
BMW i3
120Ah
Citroën ë-C3
Urban Range
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
Reviews and videos discuss each model overall; the specifications above apply to your selected trims.
Prices & deals
Calculate your real costs
For a useful running-cost comparison, factor in your mileage, charging access and current petrol or diesel car alongside the EV estimate.
Compare with petrol or diesel
Compare purchase price, energy, road tax and maintenance with a petrol or diesel alternative.
Calculate company-car tax
Work out monthly Benefit-in-Kind using current and future HMRC rates.
Cost per mile
Compare EV charging costs per mile with petrol and diesel using your charging options.
Check a lease quote
Assess the effective monthly cost alongside the list price and expected depreciation.
Safety & ownership confidence
Euro NCAP - BMW i3 120Ah
Tested 2013
Adult Occupant86%
Child Occupant82%
Vulnerable Road Users57%
Safety Assist55%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Euro NCAP - Citroën ë-C3 Urban Range
Citroën ë-C3 Urban Range
Euro NCAP crash-safety rating not published. The vehicle has been assessed under the Green NCAP sustainability programme only.
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | BMW i3120Ah | Citroën ë-C3Urban Range |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,934 km (better) | 160,000 km |
Buying options
Get a quote
BMW i3
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Citroën ë-C3
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
BMW i3
- £29,9952021EVHEROView
- £12,4992019Cars2View
- £11,1952018Drive GreenView
Citroën ë-C3
No active listings.
Frequently asked questions
Is the BMW i3 worth the extra £15,185 over the Citroën ë-C3?
The BMW i3 costs £15,185 more than the Citroën ë-C3. For that premium it adds 59 miles more WLTP range, 42 kW more power and a 4.3s quicker 0-62mph time. The Citroën ë-C3 is not just cheaper - it also offers 50 litres more boot space and 1 more seat (5 versus 4). On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the BMW i3 comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the BMW i3 or the Citroën ë-C3?
The Citroën ë-C3 is £15,185 cheaper to buy. Running costs are almost identical - about £168 a year either way, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the Citroën ë-C3 comes out roughly £15,105 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the BMW i3 and Citroën ë-C3 like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 129 miles for the BMW i3 and 94 miles for the Citroën ë-C3 - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The BMW i3 goes roughly 35 miles further between charging stops. Both rapid-charge to 80% in a similar time, around 36-42 minutes.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the BMW i3 or the Citroën ë-C3?
The two are within 20 mm on width, so neither is meaningfully easier to thread into a tight space. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 645 mm of total clearance for the Citroën ë-C3 and about 625 mm of total clearance for the BMW i3. The BMW i3 also turns in a 0.7 m tighter circle, which helps with U-turns and multi-storey ramps.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the BMW i3 or the Citroën ë-C3?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 88% battery health for the BMW i3 and 90% for the Citroën ë-C3. That gives the Citroën ë-C3 a modest edge in retained real-world range. The Citroën ë-C3's LFP-type pack tolerates daily 100% charging, while the BMW i3's NMC-type pack lasts longest kept to about 80% for everyday use. Both batteries carry a 8-year manufacturer warranty.
Go deeper on each car
Visit the full model pages for owner feedback, expert reviews, used prices and battery-health information.
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See both cars in our rankings
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Further reading
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GuideBuying a Used BMW i3 (2013-2022): 60Ah vs 94Ah vs 120Ah, REx, Warranty & What to Check
A used BMW i3 buyer’s guide: the three battery sizes, i3 vs i3s, the range extender explained, battery warranty left, the motor electronics fault to ask about, real-world range, what to pay and a printable checklist.
GuideBuying a Used Citroën ë-C3 (2024 on): Plus or Max, Recalls, Range & What to Check
A used Citroën ë-C3 buyer’s guide: Plus and Max, the 44 kWh LFP battery, the seat belt, brake pedal and steering recalls, warranty, realistic range, what to pay against new with the grant, and a printable checklist.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .