Citroen Ami in-depth 2023 review - feat. Auto Social UK

The Citroen Ami is technically a quadricycle but it's probably the coolest 'car' on sale. Price start at £7,695 or £19.99 a month.
I've had a drive of the Ami before, but in this video I give you the full low-down and spend a few days living with it.
I also attended the UK media launch of the car and was paired up with Auto Social UK's Natisha Chatten, and we had a good laugh...
Let me know what you think to the Polestar 3 and post you questions below
If I look a bit familiar then you might have seen me on Carbuyer and Auto Express KZbin channels.
I'm now freelance - you can contact me by visiting batchreviews.com/
Twitter: / jrrbatchelor
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Website: batchreviews.com
#citroen #citroenami #collab
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[@iancairns7398]

This car is ideal for my wife, she doesn't want to learn to drive, but can do her CBT or bike licence. She only wants a car that can get her to work and back which is 2.4mile round trip. This car is perfect for the job

[@Dreadpirateflappy]

amazing how many people miss the point of this. "I would buy it if it was faster, bigger and had extra tech" That's called a car... this is a quadricycle.

[@red-one5923]

an electric quadricycle! away from rain and cold

[@sevesellors2831]

Great review James a cool car delivering the basics, and the only truly affordable electric car. When you look at our congestion and speed cameras This is the car for the UK love it!❤

[@Lot76CARS]

I’m impressed that you recognised a Bulgarian Ledbury Maestro built from kits back in the UK.. the Ami looks awesome by the way, great review.

[@batchreviews]

Thanks. The Ledbury’s reg gave it away ha!

[@michaelarcher6278]

that was a brilliant video, such fun. well done, gave me a laugh

[@simonparkinson2432]

Not be fun if your behind it at 28 mph

[@martinwood9014]

That put a smile on my face, great video thanks.

[@avidviewer1]

That was fun! Thanks. I think you make some great points about affordability and accessibility, and I couldn't agree more. Terrific video. Thanks again!

[@thorbjrnhellehaven5766]

I really want one. I just need a way to defend a second vehicle when I can only drive one, and need an ordinary car as well. There are some specs I would like to improve: - battery heater, to improve/allow charging in the winter, and improve performance. - type2 input, to allow tethered station, and reduce to 6A for load balance. - improved window defogging for cold/wet weather

[@hopeless74]

*lol* How I laughed at the worst dragrace :D loved the first Ami video and this on also. Keep up the goodwork!

[@DrazenKlisuric]

But you can charge it at home with simple "travel" adapter - from EU style socket to british style socket.

[@CarsofGlasgow]

Cool video Mr Batch! I love the design details that Citroen put into this. The only worrying thing from a Scottish is that the underside isn't weatherproofed. I worry rust will affect these quicker...

[@paultaylor9652]

Bit late to the Ami party, if I had one I'd get it vinyl wrapped, maybe in a metallic red or blue then it would look far better than primer grey. Great video and you two would make a great couple reviewing cars together.

[@NapoleonDynamites]

What an absolute brilliant review. I was thinking about buying one of these for my town trips but I would be afraid it wouldn't have the power for bigger hils.

[@wilkoone9155]

I love your comments regarding what many car buyers actually need. To get the costs down I would be happy to scrap infotainment & auto systems like lane assist, ACC etc. My first car was a Renault 4L which reminds me of the Ami. Well done Citroen.

[@tamsinmccormick]

Could reasonably be half the current price when compared to the Chinese Wuling versions.

[@blee9826]

Thank you so much for this review! It really gives me hopes to learn driving again!

[@TotallyEV]

The Ami challenge was great fun! Fab video James!

[@Larry]

You could cut the lead off and rewire it to a three pin UK plug, either that or buy a male to female type 2 adaptor to plug them together on your tethered charger.

[@nkundu77]

3 things would make this an absolute city car. 1. Top Speed 40MPH 2. Range of Battery 50Miles and change the onboard battery charger to 7Kwh

[@jamesrafael6794]

That huge sunroof is a premium for high end cars much more for micro cars.A solar panel is a good idea and automated quick swappable batteries is the next evolution for these.

[@sgsuper1150]

I think you can get a male/female type 2 cable to link to the house cable. Positive is the same feed on type 2

[@christineayres7199]

The My Ami Pop that is the best looking one with the racing decals and spoiler it looks really cool cute and quirky , I want to get one as it will save me £4000 a year in my petrol bill and someone told me because the Ami has such a small battery its like 50p to charge it at a fast charger and only takes 30 minutes to charge , if you charge from your AC socket at home it takes 3 hours and maybe a bit more expensive but 50p for 47 miles that is nothing ,Im paying probably 20p a mile at the moment so a hell of a lot more and also the best thing about EVs no fluids in them so no worrying about nasty oil leaks or coolant leaks and less to spend on repair bills , its a win for you and the environment.

[@annamuller5250]

Thanks for the review. I wonder why you do not plug your Ami in the mains at home? A simple adapter should do the work. Or did I miss a thing?

[@dlittlester]

I was thinking the same thing. I'm Canadian, and when I visit the UK, I bring a couple of cheap adapters with me. My devices, a phone and a laptop, automatically reduce the current to whatever they need. I assume the same for this little car.

[@nahidmiah380]

U can change it just take the thing of get an adaptor and the plug it in the wall

[@pshearduk]

I'm thinking of getting one.. I assumed I would be able to charge using a 3 pin UK home plug socket... is there anyway of making this happen? great review. All the best

[@mr_glasgow84]

Loved this - thanks James.

[@perrymasso]

yap ,find you ,very happy that you got your own channel ,lots a luck 🤞 🤞

[@trance_trousers]

I see that you drove past my local ASDA in Waterlooville and then onto Purbrook!

[@Seasidesurfer]

Cheap efficient cars for everyone - that doesn't have a family and doesn't go on family holiday staycations. You have young children and the 'are we there yet' chant is going to be long and bad tempered after two stops to recharge your transport no matter how much you have spent on your lovely EV and as for Wales, the Lakes and Scotland the change in topography will kill the battery even quicker. Sounds like 21st Century fun !

[@markofire999]

the aygo has ncap crash tests when you need it, BUT it is a fantastic alternative to a dangerous bike. Ami is fantastic

[@johnmichaelrichards]

A great, comprehensive review of the latest iteration of Citroen's Ami. I previously own a DS and a BX-RS and just love Citroen's functional quirkiness, even though it was a nightmare just to change the headlight bulbs in my wife's Megan. When working, I drove big, luxury cars and totted up around 50k miles per year. Now that I'm retired and disabled I drive around 4 miles per week just going to shops, my daughter's house, and the community centre. The Ami may be ideal for me now, if only the passenger seat could be removed to fit either my wheelchair or rollator. It used to be possible to charge the 2020 Ami from a UK 3-pin domestic mains socket: is that no longer possible? aced, rrThat was useful as I live in an old, terraced, listed house where charging points are forbidden. I wonder if my Gooloo GT-4000 could at least top up the 50kWatt Ami battery... Has Citroen rectified the issue of reflections and glare on the speedometer screen? Is there space now for a spare tyre or puncture sealing and inflation unit? Have you had any mishaps when attempting to top-up the internal windscreen washer bottle in such a tight space? I suspect a number of decent-quality Bluetooth speakers could fit in that receptacle,

[@iana6713]

Regarding the charging issue - the standard Euro two-pin plug on the Ami is plugged into the Type 2 adaptor so remove this, get yourself a Euro plug to 3-pin adaptor, and plug the thing into a domestic socket. Easily done, and having the Type 2 adaptor as well means you can charge it as the presenter has at public chargers.

[@demonicadavies3674]

Has anyone tried this on hills and around a rural area, I wonder? I'm seeing loads of vids in cities but non in rural areas.

[@glenmarshall1740]

Fun review. The “car” mmm porta loo is about right. City centre only. Is this the new 2CV?

[@robotsonmars1989]

Just needs a 40 mph top speed and range of about 80 miles. Then it would sell by the bucket load.

[@paulcoates1496]

Hello! Loved the video and didn't realise it was available in the UK now. I don't think it was mentioned but may I ask what your height is? Thanks in advance.

[@hhgttg69]

Bulgarian kit re-imported Maestro, also what was in the bag?

[@gesperrteruser5223]

Great and funny content

[@manuelfilipe3721]

I love it so I we'll buy one

[@LWJCarroll]

It does the local trips brilliantly instead of the cars with a battery and electric motor popped into them. The Aptera is the furtherance of actual ev design with the Citroen Ami. !!!!!!! The Jetsons have Arrived 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉 😮😮😮

[@bmwf800r7]

I use a moped to commute to work only 8 miles round trip, so this little car would be perfect for me

[@bmwf800r7]

@gilburton I have a full car licence as well, thanks

[@foppo100]

@gilburton So you need a car licence and how much will that be?

[@timrogers1857]

This is the only electric car that I actually want.

[@stephenberry8658]

Or an Ollie

[@johnmail]

Nice one James at least you won't get any speeding tickets

[@03markimark]

That drag race flop was very amusing

[@TheWinstn60]

Brilliant does it need an mot though?

[@foppo100]

Can you use the bus lane in the UK? Would be good in a city.In the Netherlands they were driving on a cycle path.

[@JayMoreLikeSlay]

Bus lanes are for buses only

[@marphil1303]

I don't see any sun visors in the car, doesn't the sun shining in your eyes is a problem?

[@iana6713]

Did you say a Ledbury Maestro? Now there's a story. Only the post-BL Rover Group could think that flogging Maestros to post-Communist Bulgaria would be a profitable venture... And then the unsold ones came back! The Ami, though - I would absolutely have one of those basic little beasties. It does what it is designed for, nothing more, nothing less, and costs pennies to run. It's quirky, and I wouldn't care what anyone else thought. (Mind you, I did once own a Trabant, so I'm used to oddities...)

[@zzhughesd]

This’ll be a nice pair up. Only Batch and Tish lol. In an Ami. I rode up Leyland saw first one flesh small Cit dealer back end nowhere . Are they all undercoat primer grey ?????

[@batchreviews]

They’re all grey but with different colour pack, stickers, wheel trims and interior trim etc

[@zzhughesd]

@@batchreviews I literally love them. Twizzy too. But I own and love eccentric motor vehicles. Particularity partial to a Kei car tiny turbo targa top Cappuccino. Do Drive an Axiam or Microcar. The French legal ones for 14/15 year olds to drive. Or in UK. On a motorbike licence. Lethal crazy things that shake from the CVT gearbox from new. Beautiful.

[@shikoku14]

As fun as the ami is, if I was after a car this size I’d invest another 4-5K and get a second hand Smart EV, for better comfort and speed.

[@Jamienomore]

I have been told you can buy a Charger for the Ami that lets you Charge it from an ordinary wall socket in your House.

[@highlanderes]

I need the battery in my apartment for charging.

[@stjohnssoup]

Thanks for this ❤

[@NormanF62]

Congrats! On your to do list next year: review the Citroen Oli, the big brother to the Ami.

[@naveedzaman8252]

❤❤❤❤

[@stephenberry8658]

And the Citroen Ollie

[@BS-ql5nl]

Can a sincler C5 go faster

[@colineastwood7005]

I can imagine the best place for it’s in a skip !

[@tajmahal5572]

Just wondering if this box or car needs road tax ?

[@Dreadpirateflappy]

nope. electric car's don't need to be taxed.

[@ib2sweet]

Might suit a sandal wearing Guardian reader 😆

[@blackpooltrams6369]

Ledbury A series 😮

[@stephenberry8658]

Citroen need two variants... 28 mph and 45 mph.

[@yamcha111]

good if u live in london

[@zzhughesd]

Or in Skegness. I don’t like anywhere near Skegness. Lol.

[@battycowboy]

James had some wow colored pants

[@reinekewf7987]

i have a opel rocks e and driving every day 12km to work and have 9 km of 80kmh road and yea you have many many people behind me but i dont care. i drove the same road for 2 years with the bicycle every day and got hit 5 times because idiots overtake on the unsafest positions and underestimate this and drive nearly in the upcoming vehicle and slams me of the road. but now with the rocks e no one overtake me because i am big like a car so they are more aware on overtaking. charging on the other hand is rather furious because you can unplug the schuko from the type 2 adapter while the it is charging and this doing some angry people because i block a ev charging station with a plasicbox that you can faster carry away instead of driving. one type of them are trolls and teenager another big portion are ev hater but the biggest so far are other ev driver. i dont know what is going on in the mind of this egoistic ev people. this is no competition who has the most money and can buy a 1000+ horsepower ev with the biggest battery. i dont need all that stuff the only thing i need is a vehicle that brings me dry and save from A to B every day and dont cost much. but this understanding those people not. i dont know. i love this thing and have much fun.

[@richardajoy79]

Ths would be utterly useless in my town, we have various steep incline hills and they aint short...I'd def get one if it could go 28mph up the hills, prob reach 15-18, not good.

[@mayhsalaam9321]

Price of your wheel nuts 😂😂👍

[@wszystkoinic3246]

NCAP crash test? Will you survive?

[@ogloftus]

They only have a 28mph speed limit so 14yr olds can drive it in France, they could have at least removed the limiter for the UK

[@Dreadpirateflappy]

If they remove the limiter then it becomes a car and you would need to be 17 to drive it. in the UK 16 year olds can drive this with a moped license.

[@ogloftus]

@@Dreadpirateflappy no you have to be 17 with a full license, it’s also written on their website

[@zzhughesd]

Batch. You know your manufacturer economics only too well. Hence the death of the Fiesta. We’ll see a renaissance of the darling super mini. May take another ten years. Once profitably again and economy in right position. At the moment all these 38k up EV pcp just too tidy a margin. It’s so sad. Small cars all we need. So many S Class owner business captain of their industry simply retire get in a nice Jazz EX CVT ( of course ) and be happy ever after. We don’t need SUV Mahoosa this that !!!!!! You at classic car show this weekend NEC. ???

[@petesims]

I need one of those for dog walking, take the passenger seat out

[@ib2sweet]

Is this a review or a soap box?

[@jansefran1752]

This is our future ... they said. Probably not / NO. Thanks. Bicycle is beter. Much better. Period. 🚲🚴‍♂

[@tajmahal5572]

Please please get up the hill 🙏 🤣🤣

[@tinotino9698]

Looks claustrophobic to me🤔 Nice tiny car though!!!

[@katherineparrish5920]

If only it did 60

[@kingsknightuk]

i know it is cheap but its a little too basic for me.

[@stevezodiac491]

A good idea but poorly executed. It is a car that was designed for French driving legislation but does not fit into the UK's. The max speed is dangerous, causing speeds below normal traffic flow speeds, causing frustration and bad driving to get around it, which you can overtake around a push bike but most of the time not around the ami because of it's width. The range is not enough, even in the summer and abysmal in the winter. It should not have been given type approval on safety grounds as the heater or lack of it stops ventillation and causes misting of the windows internally. It has been known to have problems with leaks. The battery and battery management system can't cope with very cold weather and goes to a dangerously even slower mode, presumably to protect the battery. It has totally inferior crash protection also. Vicki Butler Henderson nearly tipped one over also, which brings into question it's stability.

[@Dreadpirateflappy]

no different to a moped that is limited to the same speed... This isn't a car. it's a quadricycle.

[@roufee]

When are you moving to American so you can live to the fullest and talk to people around you and no they won't say they are minding their own business

[@HarryPotter-kz6kl]

Hahaha sporty look. It looks like a pimped mobility scooter. It all looks so cheap and nasty. I'd rather buy a low mileage secondhand proper car for way less money.

[@cliffweinan3907]

Stop using wrong car pronoun for this thing and expecting a car. It's a quadracycle, more related to bicycles, tricycles. Close cousin to class 3 e-bike that are 28 mph limited. Priced like high end bicycle or motor scooter. Little safety features other than safety belt and small crumple zone because low speed limited. Small size, low weight, low cost, low speed, low energy, rain protection, passenger and grocery carrying, don't touch gasoline. Right tool for right job. Public metro, Uber, taxi, or car rental if you occassionally need to go faster or farther.

[@batchreviews]

Wrong car pronoun 😂😂

[@BS-ql5nl]

Awful car those wheels look like the narrow spare wheel and 30 mph is as much use as a electric scooter and is good for going around the golf course.

[@Dreadpirateflappy]

it's not a car. lol it's a quadricycle. basically a moped with extra protection. Hence why 16 years are allowed to drive it.

[@Swen_mations]

Clean and ugly

[@son-of-a-gun]

A gadget vehicle that is not a car for the price of a real little car.

[@Dreadpirateflappy]

name one car this cheap? also this isn't a car. it's a quadricycle.

[@stephenbryson5618]

It’s ugly it’s French it’s electrically mechanically unstable!!! Was that a Diesel SUV delivering it???

[@georgedowns4034]

u need to chill out- it makes perfect sense.

[@parkview113]

got a Pop. love it. worth every penny have to be on the Ami planet so see it - most not ....

[@simonparkinson2432]

Can’t understand the 28 mph would be a good car for work if 55 mph for fast roads disappointing at 28 mph

[@Dreadpirateflappy]

it's limited so under 17's can drive it on a moped license (originally so under 15s can drive it in france)

[@simonparkinson2432]

Get that but 28 on uk roads just hold everyone up

[@simonparkinson2432]

I would buy this for work but 28 mph very dangerous on roads needs to be faster for me to buy it

[@Dreadpirateflappy]

it's not a car... the limiter is there for a reason.

[@simonparkinson2432]

It is a car because it’s on the road to drive you don’t buy it to drive in a field