Skip advert
Advertisement
Road tests

DS 3 Cabrio DSport review

DS 3 Cabrio drop-top is revised as DS splits from Citroen brand

Overall Auto Express rating

4.0

How we review cars
Find your DS 3
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

The DS 3 Cabrio’s design remains eye-catching and striking, with the engine updates making it more engaging than ever. It’s marketed as an alternative to traditional premium offerings, which in turn attracts a premium price tag. If you don’t need a soft-top, there’s a £2,345 saving to be had by opting for the hard-top, but the added style of the Cabrio means it’s the model we’d choose.

Advertisement - Article continues below

DS, Citroen’s luxury sub-brand, has decided to go it alone, and the facelifted DS 3 Cabrio – formerly the Citroen DS 3 Cabrio – is the first solo effort since the French manufacturer made DS a brand in its own right.

Although this updated car still wears Citroen’s chevron badge on the front grille, all DS models will be marked out with their own distinctive emblem next year. Until then, the new soft-top’s visual updates are restricted to a set of LED and xenon headlamps, while scrolling indicators and 3D-effect LEDs give it a concept-car look.

The focus here is on increasing performance and reducing running costs. Under the bonnet sits a new 165bhp 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo, replacing the old 155bhp version. Engineers have upped the power with boosted injection pressure and reduced internal friction, but also improved efficiency by 18 per cent, with a claimed 50.4mpg. CO2 emissions also fall from 137g/km to 129g/km, dropping it down a tax band.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

Golf

2024 Volkswagen

Golf

45,539 milesAutomaticPetrol1.4L

Cash £17,697
View Golf
ID.3

2022 Volkswagen

ID.3

29,650 milesAutomaticElectric

Cash £17,397
View ID.3
Sportage

2023 Kia

Sportage

46,172 milesManualPetrol1.6L

Cash £16,597
View Sportage
Discovery Sport

2021 Land Rover

Discovery Sport

61,307 milesAutomaticDiesel2.0L

Cash £20,297
View Discovery Sport

DS models have always been marketed as more luxurious and premium offerings compared to standard Citroens, and the new DS 3 Cabrio has a sprightly and playful character that deserves far more recognition than it gets.

The four-cylinder turbo engine has a real willingness to rev and provides respectable shove, with 240Nm of torque available from only 1,400rpm. The added punch has also shaved seven-tenths off the 0-62mph time – it now completes the sprint in a respectable 7.5 seconds.

A six-speed manual gearbox comes as standard, but the throws between gears are long and delivered with an unrefined clunk. It’s nowhere near the sharp and snappy changes you get in a Ford Fiesta ST. Direct steering allows you to make the most of the car’s playful character, and even in wet conditions there’s plenty of grip from the pointy front end. The trade-off is a slightly compromised ride, but it strikes a nice balance between comfort and responsiveness.

Although badged as a cabriolet, the roof on the DS 3 is more like a panoramic rag-top. It can be opened and closed at speeds of up to 75mph and allows DS to keep the structural integrity of the car largely intact, adding only 25kg. The shark-fin B-pillar remains, as does the functional boot. The letterbox-style opening is narrow, so loading bulkier items is tricky, but 245 litres is a decent size all things considered.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

MG MG4

MG MG4

RRP £26,995Avg. savings £7,361 off RRP*Used from £12,300
Volkswagen Golf

Volkswagen Golf

RRP £24,625Avg. savings £2,763 off RRP*Used from £11,595
Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tucson

RRP £29,820Avg. savings £5,115 off RRP*Used from £13,262
Kia Sportage

Kia Sportage

RRP £28,065Avg. savings £2,773 off RRP*Used from £11,995
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Car Deal of the Day: 717bhp BMW M5 Touring super-estate on a tasty lease deal
BMW M5 Touring - front action

Car Deal of the Day: 717bhp BMW M5 Touring super-estate on a tasty lease deal

The BMW M5 Touring is M car royalty, with a thoroughly impressive PHEV powertrain. It’s our Deal of the Day for 29 June
News
29 Jun 2025
Electric car appeal is at its lowest since 2019
Opinion - Kia EV9 GT

Electric car appeal is at its lowest since 2019

From poor electric car sales to crashes in F1, Mike Rutherford thinks its been a crazy few weeks in the automotive world
Opinion
29 Jun 2025
Range Rover Sport SV gets massive £35k price drop as it enters series-production
Range Rover Sport SV Black - front

Range Rover Sport SV gets massive £35k price drop as it enters series-production

There’s also a new SV Black trim, and a Range Rover Sport Stealth Package for non SVs
News
1 Jul 2025