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Citroën ë-C3 Aircross vs Ford Explorer
At a glance
In this comparison, Citroën ë-C3 Aircross leads on motorway range, running costs and city driving, while the Ford Explorer leads on value for money, family practicality and charging speed.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Citroën ë-C3 Aircross if...
- you do long motorway journeys - it has the best estimated real-world range at speed
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 2p per mile on off-peak electricity
- you need the best car for city driving and tight parking
Choose the Ford Explorer if...
- you want the most for your money - best overall spec per pound
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
- you need the fastest charging of these options
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The Ford Explorer leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
ValueFord
Citroën
5
Ford
6.1
Motorway RangeCitroën
Citroën
4
Ford
3.5
FamilyFord
Citroën
3.5
Ford
6.7
ChargingFord
Citroën
3.5
Ford
4.6
Cost Per MileCitroën
Citroën
6.7
Ford
3.5
City DrivingCitroën
Citroën
6.4
Ford
5.4
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Ford Explorer
Style 58kWh
- 83 miles more WLTP range
- 57 kW more power
- 4.9s quicker 0-62 mph
- 650 kg more towing capacity
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | Citroën ë-C3 AircrossMax | Ford ExplorerStyle 58kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £25,115 (better) | £35,185 |
| Official range | 190 miles | 273 miles (better) |
| Boot space | 460 L | 470 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 26 min | 25 min (better) |
| 0-62 mph | 12.9 sec | 8 sec (better) |
Size Comparison
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Citroën ë-C3 Aircross
Ford Explorer
Length
Citroën ë-C3 Aircross4,395mm-73mm
Ford Explorer4,468mm
Width
Citroën ë-C3 Aircross1,850mm-22mm
Ford Explorer1,872mm
Height
Citroën ë-C3 Aircross1,660mm
Ford Explorer1,630mm-30mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Citroën ë-C3 AircrossMax | Ford ExplorerStyle 58kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,395 mm | 4,468 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,850 mm (better) | 1,872 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,020 mm (better) | 2,063 mm |
| Height | 1,660 mm | 1,630 mm |
| Turning circle | 10.9 m | 10.9 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 550 mm spare (better) | 528 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Citroën ë-C3 AircrossMax | Ford ExplorerStyle 58kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Rear legroom | Not available | 916 mm |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | 2 | Not available |
| Boot space (seats up) | 460 L | 470 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1600 L (better) | 1460 L |
| Frunk | 0 L | Not available |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 350 kg | 1,000 kg (better) |
Full specifications
| Specification |  Citroën ë-C3 Aircross Max |  Ford Explorer Style 58kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.39m | 4.47m+73mm |
| Width | 1.85m | 1.87m+22mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.02m | 2.06m+43mm |
| Height | 1.66m | 1.63m-30mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.67m | 2.77m+95mm |
| Ground Clearance | Not available | 193mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 460L | 470L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | 1600L (better) | 1460L |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Rear Legroom | Not available | 916mm |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 10.9m | 10.9m |
| Kerb Weight | 1,504kg (better) | 1,908kg |
| Towing Capacity | 350kg | 1,000kg (better) |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 44kWh | 58kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 190 mi | 273 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 100kW | 105kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £25,115 (better) | £35,185 |
| Price after EV grant | £23,615 (-£1,500) (better) | £33,685 (-£1,500) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | SUV | SUV |
| Available | 2025+ | 2026+ |
* Citroën ë-C3 Aircross: 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 | Citroën ë-C3 AircrossMax | Ford ExplorerStyle 58kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 190 miles | 273 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 158 miles | 183 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 26 min | 25 min (better) |
| Max rapid charge rate | 100 kW | 105 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 7.4 kW | 11 kW (better) |
| Energy consumption | Not available | 164 Wh/km |
| Usable battery capacity | 44 kWh | 58 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | LFP | NMC |
| Battery architecture | 400V | 400V |
| Heat pump | Not standard | Not standard |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | Citroën ë-C3 AircrossMax | Ford ExplorerStyle 58kWh |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 12.9 sec | 8 sec (better) |
| Power | 83 kW | 140 kW (better) |
| Torque | 125 Nm | 310 Nm (better) |
| Drivetrain | FWD | RWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests. One car has more review coverage than the other - we show that rather than guessing.
Citroën ë-C3 Aircross
Max
No critic reviews gathered yet for this car.
Ford Explorer
Style 58kWh
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 - Citroën ë-C3 Aircross Max
Citroën ë-C3 Aircross Max
Euro NCAP crash-safety rating not published. The vehicle has been assessed under the Green NCAP sustainability programme only.
Euro NCAP - Ford Explorer Style 58kWh
Tested 2024
Adult Occupant89%
Child Occupant86%
Vulnerable Road Users80%
Safety Assist72%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | Citroën ë-C3 AircrossMax | Ford ExplorerStyle 58kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,000 km | 160,934 km (better) |
Buying options
Get a quote
Citroën ë-C3 Aircross
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Ford Explorer
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Frequently asked questions
Is the Ford Explorer worth the extra £10,070 over the Citroën ë-C3 Aircross?
The Ford Explorer costs £10,070 more than the Citroën ë-C3 Aircross. For that premium it adds 83 miles more WLTP range, 57 kW more power and a 4.9s quicker 0-62mph time. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the Ford Explorer comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the Citroën ë-C3 Aircross or the Ford Explorer?
The Citroën ë-C3 Aircross is £10,070 cheaper to buy. Running costs are almost identical - about £160 a year either way, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the Citroën ë-C3 Aircross comes out roughly £10,150 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the Citroën ë-C3 Aircross and Ford Explorer like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 158 miles for the Citroën ë-C3 Aircross and 183 miles for the Ford Explorer - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Ford Explorer goes roughly 25 miles further between charging stops. Both rapid-charge to 80% in a similar time, around 25-26 minutes.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Citroën ë-C3 Aircross or the Ford Explorer?
The two are within 22 mm on width, so neither is meaningfully easier to thread into a tight space. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 550 mm of total clearance for the Citroën ë-C3 Aircross and about 528 mm of total clearance for the Ford Explorer.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the Citroën ë-C3 Aircross or the Ford Explorer?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 90% battery health for the Citroën ë-C3 Aircross and 84% for the Ford Explorer. That gives the Citroën ë-C3 Aircross a modest edge in retained real-world range. The Citroën ë-C3 Aircross's LFP-type pack tolerates daily 100% charging, while the Ford Explorer'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.
Compare against other rivals
Compare similarly sized and priced electric cars before finalising your shortlist.
More Citroën ë-C3 Aircross comparisons
More Ford Explorer comparisons
See both cars in our rankings
EVcarsguide scores every verified EV on price, range, family use and running costs. Here is where this pair appears.
Where the Citroën ë-C3 Aircross and Ford Explorer rank among the cheapest EVs after the grantWhere the Citroën ë-C3 Aircross and Ford Explorer rank among the best family EVsWhere the Citroën ë-C3 Aircross and Ford Explorer rank among EVs under £40,000Where the Citroën ë-C3 Aircross and Ford Explorer rank among the best electric SUVsWhere the Citroën ë-C3 Aircross and Ford Explorer rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Citroën ë-C3 Aircross and Ford Explorer rank among the best city EVs
Further reading
Explore buying and ownership guides to help you choose between these electric cars.
GuideBuying a Used Citroën ë-C3 Aircross (2025 on): 44 or 54 kWh, Brake Recalls, Range & What to Check
A used Citroën ë-C3 Aircross buyer’s guide: Standard and Extended Range compared, the two brake recalls on 2025-built cars, warranty, realistic range, what to pay against new with the grant, and a printable checklist.
GuideBuying a Used Ford Explorer EV (2024 on): Standard or Extended Range, RWD or AWD, Recalls & What to Pay
A used electric Ford Explorer buyer’s guide: Standard and Extended Range, RWD and AWD explained, the 2026 battery change, recalls, warranty, real-world range, what owners report, what to pay against a new one with the grant, and a printable checklist.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .