watch-new-citroen-ami-buggy-driven

City-Car

Citroën is probably most famous for its quirky design, and the latest cars from the brand live up to this tradition. In fact, it&nbsp;tends to keep away from sportiness altogether and instead tries to put comfort first.

Value (but not cheapness) is also key to the appeal of most Citroëns. And the company’s range includes everything from a tiny EV (the Ami) through to the C3 small hatchback and&nbsp;the large van-based&nbsp;Spacetourer MPV.

Its range of SUVs are all badged Aircross, and like the rest of its range place emphasis on comfort, not speed.

CITROEN

For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter <a href="http://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html">here</a><h2>Read more: <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/electric-cars/n17000">Best and worst electric cars</a> &gt;&gt;</h2>

WATCH: New Citroën Ami Buggy driven

WATCH: New Citroen Ami Buggy driven

<h2>What we're looking for </h2><ul><li>Generous enough real-world range to fit most lifestyles</li> <li>Plenty of charging options and quick top-up times </li> <li>Usable space and strong practicality</li> <li>Comfortable ride that isn’t hindered by a heavy battery</li></ul>

With so many electric cars now on offer, we've split the smaller models from the larger ones to ensure that we're able to compare direct rivals.

As well as being adept at coping with city life, small electric cars need to be roomy enough for a couple of adults and able to drive a decent amount of miles between charges.&nbsp;

There are some great small electric cars to choose from. The affordable Seat Mii Electric proves you don't have to have break the bank to go green, the Renault Zoe has been improved in every area, making it a great small EV prospect, and the Kia e-Niro was named our overall 2019 Car of the Year.

Small Electric

Could this tiny two-seater based on the Citroën Ami be the strangest electric vehicle of 2023?

WATCH: New Citroën Ami Buggy driven        

Owned by Mercedes-Benz and with a reputation for making small, clever cars, Smart offers a striking, upmarket alternative to more conventional rivals.

It currently has a two-car line-up, the smaller of the two being the distinctive Fortwo, which, as its name suggests, is an ultra-short two-seater that uses an unusual rear-engined configuration to deliver the sort of turning circle that even London taxis can only dream of. It's a doddle to park in small spaces, too.

Smart's 'family car' is the Forfour, which is little more than a stretched version of the Fortwo, with a second row of seats and a larger boot. It's more of a natural rival for cars like the Hyundai i10 or Kia Picanto.

On paper, both cars come at a considerable price premium when compared with rivals, something it says is justified by its badge appeal and the technology in the cars.&nbsp;However, sales have been slow and there are often keen Target Price deals to be found.

SMART

You've never seen anything quite like it, have you?&nbsp;What exactly is that car? Well, it’s the Citroën Ami&nbsp;– and technically it’s not a car, it's a large electric quadricycle.

Indeed, in&nbsp;some European countries the Ami can be driven by 14-year-olds without driving licences. Perhaps sensibly, UK regulations demand that you're at least 16&nbsp;and even then you need a special licence.

The Citroën Ami is wildly different, certainly, and undeniably a quirky take on getting around in towns and cities that are increasingly dominated by e-bikes and e-scooters. It also divides opinion. Based on our experience, its looks charm and appall in equal measure. There’s no denying its ingenuity, though. <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/make/citroen">Citroën</a> has managed to squeeze in seating for two people plus some space for their luggage.

<iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GrDXIj0Mj00" width="560"></iframe>

For all its Dinky Toy appeal and clever design touches, at 2.4m long and 1.4m wide, the Ami&nbsp;isn't actually that much smaller than some other small <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/electric-cars/n17000">electric cars</a>. There's the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/smart/fortwo-coupe/city-car/review/n18076">Smart EQ Fortwo</a>&nbsp;for example, and the discontinued&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/twizy/city-car/used-review/n17986">Renault Twizy</a>&nbsp;is even tinier.

The Ami’s electric motor produces just 8bhp and its top speed is restricted to 28mph. The official range is only&nbsp;up to 46 miles between charges, although Citroën says its tiny battery can be charged to full in as little as three hours.&nbsp;

For all its quirkiness, though, just how good is the Citroën Ami? Join us over the next few pages of this review and we'll let you know how it stacks up for performance, comfort, value for money and other important factors.

Quirky quadricycle that’s laser targeted at the city driver niche

Citroën Ami

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Sufficient range between charges to fit in with most people’s lifestyles – and in the real world, not on some far-fetched official test </li> <li>Quick charging times and compatibility with the most ubiquitous types of public charging points </li> <li>Priced to be within the grasp of more than just the privileged few </li> <li>As with any car, ride comfort, practicality and ownership costs can’t be ignored</li></ul>

We define an electric car as one that runs purely on battery power and has no tailpipe to puff out nasty chemicals.

The best of the breed offer sufficient range between charges to fit in with most people’s lifestyles – and in the real world, not on some far-fetched official test cycle.

NEW REVIEWS:

WATCH: New Citroën Ami Buggy driven

Could this tiny two-seater based on the Citroën Ami be the strangest electric vehicle of 2023?...

Read more: Best and worst electric cars >>

Also consider

Quick search

Tools & services

Legal bits

Information