DS 3 review - Interior & comfort

DS is the standalone luxury brand of Citroen, rather like Lexus models being part of the wider Toyota family. To help set it apart from lesser cars, the DS 3 is well equipped even in entry-level trim, with a touchscreen and plenty of features. Smaller wheels also play dividends here, making the ride even smoother and with less tyre noise at motorway speeds.

DS 3 dashboard

The DS 3’s dashboard is something of a mixed bag, because while the designers are to be applauded for its originality and style, the recurring diamond shapes inside do come at the cost of some user-friendliness. For a start, the button clusters that sit between the air vents are fiddly and difficult to see, and frustratingly, you still have to use the touchscreen interface to change the temperature of the climate control.

On a more positive note, there are lots of attractive design touches, including the use of upmarket materials like leather and Alcantara suede-like fabric. Top versions even have a 'watchstrap design' for the Nappa leather seats, something you'd only have found in a far more expensive car a few decades ago.

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Equipment

Trim levels have changed multiple times since launch, but the latest are Performance Line, Esprit de Voyage and Opera. Performance Line kicks off with 17-inch wheels, a 10.3-inch touchscreen system, a digital dial cluster, keyless start, flush-fitting door handles, automatic air conditioning and an Alcantara interior in black. 

Esprit de Voyage sits in the middle of the range, with unique 18-inch wheels, an exclusive Pebble Grey interior with Nappa leather, unique ‘Esprit de Voyage’ motifs and embroidered upholstery, aluminium-finished pedals, a central armrest, LED lights, keyless entry and start, 3D navigation and voice recognition tech on the infotainment system.

Opera is the top-spec trim, and brings niceties such as electric, heated and massaging front seats, wireless smartphone charging, a reversing camera and parking sensors, plus a suite of safety features – kit not always seen in the small SUV class.