In-depth reviews

Citroën DS3 hatchback (2009-2016) - MPG, running costs & CO2

The DS 3 is available with just one engine but it’s an economical one

Carbuyer Rating

2.9 out of 5

Owners Rating

4.0 out of 5

Read owner reviews
MPG, running costs & CO2 Rating

2.9 out of 5

The DS 3 is only available with the PureTech 110 and a six-speed automatic transmission but it returns competitive fuel economy for a petrol engine.

It’s reasonably cheap to insure and has impressive values on the used market compared to the Peugeot 208 and Ford Fiesta. This is due to the DS 3 not being able to hold its value as well as a MINI hatchback. Despite the DS 3 being aimed as a high-class hatchback, it can't quite match established premium brands for sheer cachet.

DS 3 MPG & CO2

The 1.2-litre petrol engine gives a good account of itself in the DS 3. All models equipped with this engine can return 44.8mpg on the combined cycle and have a CO2 emissions figure of 114g/km which is impressive for a relatively small engine mated to an automatic transmission. Its CO2 figure drops both the Connected Chic and Performance Line models into a low Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) tax band making them attractive as company cars. 

Insurance groups

The DS 3’s insurance ratings aren’t quite as impressive as you might have hoped, with the Connected Chic sitting in group 20 and the Performance Line, somewhat oddly, receiving a group 19 rating. Compare this to the (admittedly less powerful) MINI One model, which sits in Group 13, or the more powerful MINI Cooper (group 19), and the DS 3’s insurance groups look to be slightly on the high side.

Servicing

DS offers a £449 servicing pack covering scheduled maintenance for three years or 35,000 miles, which is reasonable value – even if it doesn't trump MINI's TLC deal that covers the car for five years or 50,000 miles' worth of servicing, parts and labour.

Warranty

The DS 3 comes with a three-year/60,000-mile warranty, which is the same duration as the one offered with the MINI. However, MINI's warranty has no mileage limit. In any case, both warranties seem a bit behind the times when you consider Hyundai and Kia offer five and seven years of cover respectively.

Richard is a former editor of Carbuyer, as well as sister site DrivingElectric.com, and he's now Deputy Editor at Auto Express. Having spent a decade working in the automotive industry, he understands exactly what makes new car buyers tick.

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