Citroen DS3

Bosses at Citroen are brimming with confidence at the moment – as the firm has its strongest model line-up in years. Buyers can choose from the capable C3 Picasso supermini-MPV, the classy C5 saloon and the cheeky C1 city car. But that hasn’t stopped Citroen from launching one of its most ambitious cars ever – the DS3.

The striking three-door hatch is based on the latest C3 supermini, and is tasked with taking the brand upmarket. That puts it in direct competition with the MINI, but unlike the British machine, the newcomer doesn’t look to the past for its design cues. Apart from its name – which takes its inspiration from the firm’s DS saloon of the Fifties – the DS3 is thoroughly modern.

Video: watch CarBuyer's video review of the Citroen DS3

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While it lacks the cute charm of the MINI, it isn’t short of visual impact. The bold nose features a chrome grille that incorporates Citroen’s double chevron badge, together with a pair of large, swept-back headlamps. And with the exception of the entry-level DSign model, all DS3s come with a strip of LED daytime running lights ahead of the front wheels.

Glance down the flanks, and you’ll spot the distinctive kink in the B-pillar, as well as subtly flared wheelarches, while neatly sculpted tail-lights provide some visual interest at the back.

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Buyers can choose from a huge range of paint finishes for the roof, wheels and door mirrors – including the Botticelli Blue of our test car. Further customisation options include bodywork decals and extra chrome trim.

Inside, the design is equally bold. The dashboard is carried over from the C3, which means classy dials and a logical layout come as standard. Pay an extra £100, and you can have the centre of the dash, gearlever and key fob colour-matched to the roof. Plus, standard mood lighting bathes the footwells in a warm orange glow at night. The DS3 can’t rival the MINI’s quality – but it has the Cooper well beaten on space.

The Citroen is a full five-seater, with a trio of three-point belts in the back. In contrast, the British car can accommodate only four. Plus, the DS3’s 285-litre load space has a 125-litre advantage over its competitor here.

However, for many premium supermini buyers, performance is as important as practicality – and there’s nothing to choose between our two cars under the bonnet, as they share the same smooth-revving 118bhp 1.6-litre engine. Despite having a similar kerbweight, the five-speed Citroen had to give best to the six-speed Cooper at the track, where its shorter ratios resulted in stronger sprinting ability.

In the real world, the difference in pace between the two models is harder to detect, although the lack of a sixth gear means the DS3’s engine is busier on the motorway. This is a shame, because the Citroen’s cabin is otherwise well insulated from road and wind noise. The French car rides well, too, soaking up the sort of bumps and potholes its sporty rival crashes over.

While the soft suspension set-up means the DS3 can’t match the engaging Cooper for driving thrills, the French car still feels poised and agile, and has good body control. Only a lack of steering feedback and a vague gearshift let it down. To coincide with the DS3’s arrival, Citroen has launched its own, MINI-style aftersales incentives, including a three-year pre-paid servicing deal for £199. There’s also the FreeDrive scheme, which lets owners budget for everything apart from fuel.

The DS3 is desirable, good to drive and promises to be the best car to own in the Citroen line-up. But is that going to be enough for it to take victory?

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Chart position: 2
WHY: The DS3 is the first model in a new line-up of premium cars that’s set to revolutionise Citroen’s range – and it’s picked a tough fight for its UK road test debut.