DS 3, French Glamor Concentrate

Born in 2009 under the Citroën brand umbrella, the DS 3 underwent an update in 2014, when the DS variant was remade as an independent brand. In 2016, the French brand decided to make a new restyling of its small utility vehicle, this being the one that is currently marketed.

It is an alternative to the most chic models in the segment, such as the MINI or the Audi A1. It also has a Cabrio version, with which it hopes to snatch sales from the MINI convertible.

It is a luxury line from the PSA Group, and although it still shares many elements with the previous Citroën C3, especially in the interior, this DS 3 is endowed with a quality of finishes, an image and a list of options far superior to that of model from which it comes.

Design

In this type of vehicle, whose main workplace will be the city, appearance is everything. Therefore, if you want to stand out against generalist rivals, you must do something new, and that is exactly what they have done.

The front is the most striking part of the car. In it, we can see a grill wrapped in a chrome strip that joins it with the headlights. The position of the LED daytime running lights is located on the outside of the bumper and they are positioned almost upright, trademark of the house. The set gives a very accomplished and striking air to the French model, something necessary if you want to compete with a whole MINI.

On the side, we hardly find any changes compared to the first DS 3 brought under the auspices of Citroën in 2009, with the peculiar separation between the front and rear windows and a chrome strip in the lower part of the body.

Something similar to the side view happens at the rear: it is practically identical to that of its predecessor. Already in its day it was very striking, but eight is too many years showing the same line.

Inside

Here there are hardly any changes compared to the Citroën DS 3 of yesteryear. They have improved the infotainment system and the quality of some materials, but it is the same car.

The years are beginning to show on the dashboard, typical of vehicles of a previous generation.

In the front seats, space is enough to travel comfortably. It has brushed aluminum accents that look great on you and surrounds an easy-to-use and fast-enough multifunction display. The air conditioning controls are located lower, with large buttons and a large-format screen only intended for this function. The general quality, without reaching the level of a Volkswagen Polo, is correct.

In the rear seats a height of width stands out above its rivals, three not very tall adults will travel looser than in a Renault Clio or an Audi A1, I say not very high because the height to the ceiling is somewhat fair, and you will play with the head if you are taller than 1.75 meters. Access to these squares is relatively easy.

The boot, with 285 liters, is above its most direct premium competitors ; the MINI has 211 liters and the Audi A1 270. Still, it is below the segment average. In the convertible version it  drops to 245 liters of capacity, which is not much of a loss.

Dynamic

If what you are looking for is a car with a sporty character, there are much better options. A Mini is much rounder in this regard. The problem with the DS 3 is the steering gear ratio, it transmits very little information to the driver.

Although it is clearly better than the Citroën C3, the model from which it is derived, it does not reach the expected level in a car of its price and characteristics. Its suspension is hard and contains very well the body roll, but the car in general does not transmit sporting sensations or you feel in contact with the road when you lighten the pace.

On the motorway, the DS 3 is poised and safe, the soundproofing is not outstanding but it is correct. The seats are very comfortable, and if we opt for the sports options we will get more lateral support.

On curvy roads, the French utility is very stable, although it does not transmit much. Its reactions are very noble and it turns very flat in the tight corners, something that its hard suspension achieves.

Engines

The DS 3 has a very wide range of engines, with more powerful engines than its brother, the C3.

• Gasoline : the access engine is a 1.2 PureTech 82 hp, which with an acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h in 12.3 seconds, does not take advantage of the possibilities of the French chassis, although it is ideal for urban terrain. Above we have the 1.2 PureTech with 110 hp, the option that best balances performance and consumption. As sports options, we have the 1.6 THP with 165 or 210 HP of power. The latter manages to catapult the DS 3 from 0 to 100 km / h in 6.5 seconds, a whole GTI.

• Diesel : in diesel, they all start from the 1.6 BlueHDI block, with 75, 100 and 120 HP of power. The latter is the most suitable for those who do many extra-urban kilometers, but with the 100 hp, this utility moves with great ease.

Citroën DS 3 price

Part of the € 16,730 that the 82 CV 1.2 PureTech is worth and with the Desire basic finish, up to the € 31,450 that they ask us for the 210 CV 1.6 THP Black Special Cabrio.

They are prices very similar to those of the MINI in the most basic versions, but those with more power, the British model is more expensive. We cannot forget that MINI comes from BMW and DS from Citroën. If we compare it with the generalist brands, this DS 3 is an expensive car.

conclusion

If you are looking for an attractive and exclusive car, this DS 3 is a good candidate, but if you are looking to have fun at the wheel on a mountain road there are better options.

In any case, we have not found serious faults in any section. Although it still looks a lot like the previous generation C3, this little utility is infinitely more attractive.