Summary
The Citroën ë-SpaceTourer is a nine-seater people carrier and one of the largest all-electric packages currently on sale, based on the ë-Dispatch commercial van. At the start of 2022, the ë-SpaceTourer replaced the diesel-powered SpaceTourer in the Citroën line-up.
Arriving in the UK in early 2021, the ë-SpaceTourer is structurally identical to the Vauxhall Vivaro e-Life and is fitted with a 136hp electric motor and a 50kWh battery – working in tandem to produce an official all-electric range of 143 miles. In order to keep the car’s price low enough to qualify for the UK government’s plug-in car grant, the larger 75kWh battery available in the ë-Dispatch range is not available.
This has not been a popular decision among reviewers, who frequently comment that the ë-SpaceTourer so-so battery range means that it is only well-equipped for shorter urban commuting, rather than long-distance cruising. By comparison, Mercedes-Benz says that its similarly-sized but more expensive EQV people carrier has an all-electric range of 213 miles.
While reviewers found their test drives to be quiet and relaxing, many publications state that customers should not expect the ë-SpaceTourer to provide much excitement on the road, Carbuyer concluding that the people carrier “struggles to shrug off its delivery-van origins”.
Otherwise, Top Gear explains that the ë-SpaceTourer offers the same positives as its combustion-powered counterpart that is no longer in production – “a commanding driving position, flexible seating arrangement and minimalist interior”, as well as the low running costs and tax benefits that an all-electric powertrain brings.
Although held back by its battery range, Driving Electric believes that the ë-SpaceTourer is a very versatile vehicle that will suit the needs of a select audience – “private-hire drivers that work shorter routes or predictable airport runs”.
As of September 2023, the Citroën ë-SpaceTourer holds an Expert Rating of 53%, which is markedly lower than the score given to the diesel SpaceTourer that it replaced.
ë-SpaceTourer highlights
- Spacious cabin with flexible seating
- Seating for up to nine
- Relaxing to drive
- Rapid charging ability
ë-SpaceTourer lowlights
- Comparatively poor battery range
- Rivals have more interior refinement
- Heavy rear seats are difficult to remove
- Limited boot space with all nine seats
Key specifications
Body style: Large people carrier
Engines: electric, battery-powered
Price: From £37,045 on-road
Launched: Spring 2021
Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA
Image gallery
Media reviews
Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
Auto Express
Model reviewed: e-SpaceTourer Business Edition
Score: 7 / 10
“The ë-SpaceTourer’s smooth, quiet nature makes it more pleasant to drive than fossil fuel powered alternatives. This Business Edition trim is much cheaper than the top spec Flair model, too. However, a 50kWh battery limits its range quite severely.”
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Score: 7 / 10
“The new all-electric Citroen e-SpaceTourer MPV offers plenty of room and comfort, but is held back by its range.”
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Carbuyer
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7.6 / 10
“The Citroen e-SpaceTourer offers versatility, efficient electric power and a touch of style, but struggles to shrug off its delivery-van origins.”
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Carwow
Model reviewed: Range overview
“The Business version will be ideal for use as an airport taxi, with its ability to carry many people on short trips.”
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Company Car Today
“It’s not cheap but the running costs and taxation benefits are significant; there’s little with electric power that has anything like the versatility.”
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Discover EV
Model reviewed: Feel
Score: 6 / 10
“A five-, seven- and eight-seat layout mean the Citroën ë-SpaceTourer opens up the option of electrified mobility to a variety of new buyers including families and private hire firms but its short range holds it back.”
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Driving Electric
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“While it’s not a complete game-changer, the eSpaceTourer should still be a good solution for many buyers’ needs. Larger families that do mostly local journeys, as well as private-hire drivers that work shorter routes or predictable airport runs, will find plenty to like here – not least the very low running costs common to all pure-electric vehicles.”
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Electrifying.com
Model reviewed:
Score: 7 / 10
“If you need to move eight, or even nine people around using power from a plug, the Citroën ë-SpaceTourer and its differently-badged brethren are pretty much your only choice. Just as well it’s good, then.”
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Green Car Guide
Model reviewed: 50kWh Business Edition
Score: 8 / 10
“The Citroen e-SpaceTourer is a quiet, refined, smooth and comfortable way to transport nine occupants with zero tailpipe emissions – even if each passenger has a rucksack. It’s much better to drive than an equivalent diesel vehicle.” (Paul Clarke)
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Top Gear
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 5 / 10
“It’s much the same as the diesel variant – commanding driving position, flexible seating arrangement, minimalist interior – but would make far more sense to city folk than those living elsewhere. Just don’t expect many, if any, driving thrills.”
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What Car?
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“There’s no doubting that the Citroën e-Spacetourer is one of the most spacious and versatile electric cars out there. Its flexible interior will easily swallow up to nine adults or a couple of people and vast amounts of cargo. It’s best suited to use in cities or on short journeys on account of its short range, though, and it’s not very enjoyable to drive.”
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Which EV?
Model reviewed:
Score: 7 / 10
“The Citroen e-SpaceTourer looks massively overpriced at first glance, and the range is limited, but the seating and cargo capabilities are unique for an electric van. If you’re a taxi driver transporting large groups in a city that charges for petrol or diesel vehicle usage, the sums could easily add up to make it economically viable – and a great choice for the environment. It’s a smooth drive, too.” (James Morris)
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Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
No safety rating
The Citroën ë-SpaceTourer has not been crash tested by Euro NCAP. If and when it is put through its paces by Euro NCAP, we will publish the results here.
The combustion-powered SpaceTourer range was rated five stars in 2015, but the ë-SpaceTourer’s electric motor and battery layout instead of a regular engine and fuel tank mean that the rating for the SpaceTourer does not automatically apply to the ë-SpaceTourer.
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
As of September 2023, the Citroën ë-SpaceTourer has not been lab tested by Green NCAP.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
No reliability rating
As of September 2023, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Citroën ë-SpaceTourer to generate a reliability rating.
The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusive from extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy. As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the ë-SpaceTourer, we’ll publish the score here.
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Citroën ë-SpaceTourer, you might also be interested in these alternatives
Mercedes-Benz EQV | Nissan e-NV200 Combi | Peugeot e-Rifter | Tesla Model X | Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric | Volkswagen ID. Buzz
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