Review
/5
- Pros:
- Great range of engines
- Eye-catching looks
- Good to drive – especially DSport models.
- Cons:
- Customisation can be expensive
- Five-speed manual gearbox can be hard to use – six-speed is better
- Legroom is tight compared to rivals
reviewed by Carbuyer
"Based on the Citroen C3, the three door DS3 is more exciting to drive and boasts a more luxurious cabin too. Head turning looks make it one of the most stylish models on the road."
At a glance
- The greenest
- e-HDi 90 Airdream DStyle 95g 3dr
£14,800 - The cheapest
- VTi 95 DSign 3dr
£12,600 - The fastest
- THP 207 Racing Limited Edition 3dr
£24,300 - Top of the range
- THP 207 Racing Limited Edition 3dr
£24,300
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The DS3 is Citroen's entry into the premium supermini segment and offers buyers a stylish alternative to the MINI hatchback and Alfa Romeo MiTo. It's based on the Citroen C3 but offers a more upmarket cabin and a more exciting driving experience, and is named Best Hot Hatchback in the 2011 CarBuyer Car of the Year awards. Engines range from an efficient 89bhp diesel, which is free from road-tax thanks to its low CO2 emissions, to a turbocharged 1.6-litre petrol engine with 148bhp which offers hot-hatch thrills. There's also a range-topping DS3 Racing model, but only 200 examples were sold in the UK. All variants get a spacious, stylish and luxurious cabin making the DS3 a fantastic all-rounder.
Drive
DSport models less comfortable but more sporty
There's an impressive range of engines in the DS3 which means you can suit the car perfectly to your needs. The 89bhp diesel engine is good around town and offers incredibly low running costs, while the 148bhp petrol engine makes for an exciting drive but could prove costly to run. DSport models get stiffer suspension, making the car a bit less comfortable to drive but making it far sportier and giving the DS3 far more grip. The steering is lighter and easy to use on all models though. Limited edition DS3 Racing models get engineering tweaks to improve handling and cut the 0-62mph time to 6.9 seconds.
Comfort
Quiet and comfortable, even on the motorway
With the softer suspension that come on all models apart from DSport cars, the DS3 is extremely quiet and comfortable making it as at home on the motorways as it is in town. Even DSport models are comfortable, but those looking for comfort over performance should steer clear. The driving position is good and there is plenty of adjustability available on the steering wheel and seats.
Reliability
Well-built and incredibly safe
The DS3's cabin is well built and there's plenty of luxurious soft touch materials. There are a couple of scratchy plastics but they tend to be hidden out of the way. It gets a five star Euro NCAP rating thanks to six airbags, stability control and ABS coming as standard on all models. Citroen models of old weren't renowned for their reliability but there has been a definite improvement since then and there have been no reported problems on the DS3 to date.
Practicality
Impressive boot, but knee-room in the rear is a bit tight
There's less space between the front and rear wheels on the DS3 than there is on its rivals. That limits knee room in the rear but adults will still comfortably fit in the back. There's more space in an Alfa Romeo MiTo and less in a MINI hatchback. The Citroen trumps them both for boot space, boasting an impressive 285 litres. The back seats can be folded down to make more room in the boot.
Value for money
Good value for money but base models don't have air-con
The entry-level 1.4-litre DSign model is very affordable but buyers might want to specify extras like air-conditioning and alloy-wheels. Aside from those things you'll find cruise control, electric windows and steering-wheel mounted audio controls are all standard. DSport models are expensive, but there's no need to specify and optional extras. Citroen's 3 year/ 35,000 mile servicing pack is also good value for money.
Running costs
Diesels offer incredibly cheap motoring
The DStyle 99g model is fitted with a 1.6-litre diesel engine and is free from road tax as well as offering an amazing 74.6mpg figure. There is a more powerful 109bhp diesel which is still cheap to run but is quicker in a straight line. The 1.6-litre, 148bhp turbocharged petrol engine costs £155 a year to tax and offers just 42.2mpg. All models are expected to hang on to their value well for when you come to sell.
*Our monthly finance prices are updated on a regular basis, but due to the dynamic nature of the market are not guaranteed accurate. You can always confirm the monthly finance price with FinanceAcar.
