Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

DS 3 review: alternative small SUV with premium ambitions

The DS 3 is a left-field choice in the small premium SUV segment, and one that’s been developed with comfort in mind

Overall Auto Express rating

3.0

How we review cars
Price
£31,200 - £41,140
  • Strong engines
  • Generous equipment levels
  • Distinctive styling
  • Expensive
  • Frustrating ergonomics
  • Not great to drive
Find your DS 3
Offers from our trusted partners on this car and its predecessors...
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car
Advertisement

The DS 3 stands out from the crowd with a style that’s all its own, but it’s average in most other respects. While there’s a generous amount of standard equipment, DS 3 prices are high for a small premium SUV, especially when it can’t match its rivals for outright quality and polish.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Designed with comfort in mind, the DS 3 is easy to drive and reasonably refined, but it lacks the control you get from its competition. Both the petrol and electric powertrains are strong enough, though, with the DS 3 E-Tense getting an impressive range boost as part of a mid-life facelift.

Our choice: DS 3 1.2 PureTech 100 Performance Line

About the DS 3

The DS brand is a luxury arm of Stellantis, the parent company of several car makers including PeugeotCitroen and Vauxhall. Previously, the DS name was attached to high-end Citroen models, but now it stands on its own. Its range now includes the DS 7 mid-size SUVDS 9 saloon and DS 4 hatchback, with the DS 3 serving as the brand’s entry-level model.

The French firm’s small SUV is based on the same Common Modular Platform as Peugeot’s 208 supermini and 2008 SUV, and is offered with a choice of petrol or electric power. The DS 3’s combustion-engined competitors include the Audi Q2, along with higher-end versions of the Volkswagen T-Roc, while the fully-electric DS 3 E-Tense competes with the Vauxhall Mokka ElectricHyundai Kona Electric and Kia Soul EV.

 A facelift for 2023 saw a number of changes made to the DS 3, including the ‘Crossback’ part of the model’s original name being dropped, the removal of a diesel engine from the line-up and the addition of a new infotainment system.

The petrol engine is a turbocharged 1.2-litre three-cylinder unit that, in base PureTech 100 guise, is paired with a six-speed manual gearbox, while PureTech 130 cars get more power and an eight-speed automatic.  

The DS 3 E-Tense received more significant updates for 2023, most notably a larger 54kWh battery and more power. As a result, the small electric SUV now offers up to 250 miles on the WLTP combined cycle – nearly 60 miles more than the old model.

There are three trim levels to pick from – Performance Line, Esprit de Voyage, and Opera – but even entry-level models get 17-inch alloy wheels, keyless start and a 10.3-inch infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity. DS’ Safety Pack is also fitted as standard, and this includes automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist and speed limit recognition. This pack helped the DS 3 gain its five-star safety rating from Euro NCAP.

Frequently Asked Questions
The DS 3 isn’t short on style, but it lacks the substance to back it up or be competitive in the all-important small SUV segment.
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

More on 3

Volvo EX30 vs DS 3 E-Tense: a small premium electric SUV skirmish
Volvo EX30 vs DS 3 E-Tense - Volvo and DS front tracking

Volvo EX30 vs DS 3 E-Tense: a small premium electric SUV skirmish

The Volvo EX30 signals a new era for the Swedish firm’s EV plans. We compare it with the DS 3 E-Tense
Car group tests
20 Jul 2024
DS employs ChatGPT as AI travel companion for its entire range of cars
DS ChatGPT

DS employs ChatGPT as AI travel companion for its entire range of cars

DS cars equipped with ChatGPT can provide information about nearby places to visit or even create quizzes to play on a long journey
News
20 Feb 2024
New DS 3 Performance Line 2024 review: a quirky, affordable route to a 'premium' badge
DS 3 Performance Line - front tracking

New DS 3 Performance Line 2024 review: a quirky, affordable route to a 'premium' badge

DS is going to great lengths to make owning its small SUV a truly luxurious experience
Road tests
31 Jan 2024
New DS 3 PureTech 130 2023 review
DS 3 PureTech 130 - front

New DS 3 PureTech 130 2023 review

A UK drive of the DS 3 PureTech further reinforces our view that it makes much more sense than the pricey E-Tense EV
Road tests
22 May 2023
New DS 3 E-Tense 2023 review
DS 3 E-Tense - front

New DS 3 E-Tense 2023 review

The electric DS 3 E-Tense SUV gets a useful increase in range, but is still very pricey
Road tests
4 Apr 2023
New 2023 DS 3 facelift on sale from £25,900
DS 3 - front tracking

New 2023 DS 3 facelift on sale from £25,900

DS ditches the ‘Crossback’ name for the DS 3 small SUV as part of a 2023 update
News
16 Jan 2023
DS 3 Crossback E-Tense gains an extra 13 miles of range for 2022
DS 3 Crossback E-Tense

DS 3 Crossback E-Tense gains an extra 13 miles of range for 2022

DS 3 Crossback E-Tense now has more efficient ancillaries, which have boosted the EV’s range by almost seven per cent
News
29 Nov 2021
DS 3 (2009-2019) review
DS 3 hatchback 2016 review - front tracking

DS 3 (2009-2019) review

The DS 3 is an upmarket rival to the MINI with posh aspirations, but it's starting to feel its age
In-depth reviews
30 Sep 2019
New DS 3 Crossback 2019 review
DS 3 Crossback - front

New DS 3 Crossback 2019 review

The new DS 3 Crossback SUV has arrived in the UK, but is it a serious premium rival for the Audi Q2 and MINI Countryman?
Road tests
17 Apr 2019
All-electric DS 3 Crossback set for the Paris Motor Show
DS badge

All-electric DS 3 Crossback set for the Paris Motor Show

DS will be raising its EV game in Paris with an all-electric DS 3 Crossback SUV
News
22 May 2018
New DS 3 Performance Line 2017 review
DS 3 Performance Line 2017 - front tracking

New DS 3 Performance Line 2017 review

Sporty DS 3 Performance Line looks the part, but it's pricey and the car is showing its age
Road tests
13 Jan 2017
Skip advert
Advertisement
DS 3 Performance vs Ford Fiesta ST200 vs MINI JCW Sport
DS 3 Performance vs Ford Fiesta ST200 vs MINI JCW Sport - header

DS 3 Performance vs Ford Fiesta ST200 vs MINI JCW Sport

We see if the sizzling new DS 3 Performance Black has what it takes to beat the Ford Fiesta ST200 and MINI JCW Sport
Car group tests
10 Sep 2016
New DS 3 Cabrio Performance Black 2016 review
DS 3 Performance Cabrio 2016 - front cornering

New DS 3 Cabrio Performance Black 2016 review

Range topping DS 3 Cabrio Performance Black hits UK roads – but is it as good as the cheaper MINI Cooper S Convertible?
Road tests
3 Aug 2016
Premium Small Car of the Year 2016: MINI Cooper
New Car Awards 2016: Premium Small Car - MINI Cooper

Premium Small Car of the Year 2016: MINI Cooper

The MINI Cooper is the 2016 Auto Express Premium Small Car of the Year, with the DS 3 and Fiat 500 commended
Awards
6 Jul 2016
DS 3 Le MakeUp gets Givenchy makeover

DS 3 Le MakeUp gets Givenchy makeover

DS joins forces with Givenchy to create special edition make-up inspired DS3
News
1 Jul 2016
MINI Cooper Convertible vs Fiat 500C vs DS 3 Cabrio
MINI Cooper Convertible vs Fiat 500C vs DS 3 Cabrio - header

MINI Cooper Convertible vs Fiat 500C vs DS 3 Cabrio

Supermini cabrios balance open-air glamour and efficiency; can the new MINI Convertible compete against DS and Fiat rivals?
Car group tests
26 May 2016
New DS 3 Performance 2016 review
DS 3 Performance review 2016 - front cornering

New DS 3 Performance 2016 review

The first hot hatch to emerge from the DS Performance stable, the DS 3 Performance is only held back by its price
Road tests
3 May 2016
DS 3 Cabrio PureTech 2016 review
DS 3 Cabrio 2016 review - front tracking 2

DS 3 Cabrio PureTech 2016 review

Latest posh DS 3 drop-top has MINI Convertible in sights, but how does it drive?
Road tests
14 Apr 2016
DS 3 vs MINI Cooper vs Audi A1
DS 3 vs MINI Cooper vs Audi A1 - header

DS 3 vs MINI Cooper vs Audi A1

With a new look and new engines, the DS 3 is aiming high as it meets posh small car rivals from MINI and Audi
Car group tests
9 Apr 2016
New DS 3 2016 review
DS 3 hatchback 2016 review - crop front tracking

New DS 3 2016 review

We drive the revised DS 3 supermini for the first time. Can this six-year old car still face up to the Polo and Fiesta?
Road tests
23 Feb 2016
Updated 2016 DS 3 hatch on sale Friday from £13,995
DS 3 hatchback 2016 - front quarter reveal

Updated 2016 DS 3 hatch on sale Friday from £13,995

Restyled DS 3 hatch available to order on 5th of Feb, with hot new Performance model from £20,495
News
1 Feb 2016
DS Performance launches with DS 3; more models on the way
DS 3 Performance official - front quarter

DS Performance launches with DS 3; more models on the way

DS plans full Performance model range, alongside new coupe, SUV and luxury car by 2020
News
20 Jan 2016
Shimmering DS 3 Dark Light available now

Shimmering DS 3 Dark Light available now

Eye-catching DS 3 Dark Light will be given a limited production run, with just 300 models available
News
3 Sep 2015