Used DS 3 for sale: everything you need to know

The DS 3 name has been around for a while now, first applied to a stylish Citroen supermini in 2009, before being relaunched under the separate DS Automobiles brand in 2016. In 2019, the DS 3 disappeared to be replaced by the DS 3 Crossback, an upscale rival to the likes of the Nissan Juke - and in 2022, it was renamed DS 3 once again.

It’s the 2019-on models we’re covering here, but to avoid complication we’ll refer to it simply as the DS 3. Should you buy one though? Well, the DS 3 is neither the most practical nor most fun to drive compact SUV in its segment, but its style and luxury may be enough to swing some buyers away from less imaginatively designed alternatives.

The market is chock-full of small SUVs like the DS 3 though, with the UK top-ten best-sellers list currently including the Ford Puma, Nissan Juke and Vauxhall Mokka, while the Renault Captur, Peugeot 2008, Skoda Kamiq, Hyundai Kona, and several others are all competing for your money too.

Should you buy a DS 3?

The original DS 3 hatchback always served as a stylish alternative to more mainstream choices, and the DS 3 crossover serves much the same purpose today. You won’t have to try hard to find a car that offers more interior space, a more logical dashboard layout, or greater entertainment to drive, but fewer that are as interesting to look at or sit in, or feel quite as upmarket inside.

Generous levels of equipment help too, with plenty of kit even in entry level versions and a nicely-trimmed cabin whichever model you opt for - but especially in higher-spec cars. The DS 3’s diamond-themed interior really stands out, though it’s worth trying before you buy, since some of the buttons and switches aren’t as logical as they might be in a more conventional layout.

It’s also not that large inside. Rear space is definitely better suited to kids than adults (though may feel a bit dark for any child unable to see out of the windows), and while the 350-litre boot is decent in isolation, it’s a long way off the 456 litres you get in a Ford Puma.

There’s more room in the front and the car’s compact size does make it feel wieldy around town and on country lanes. It’s not as nimble as some rivals and the ride on larger wheel options can be somewhat sudden too, but once again, if you’re prioritising style then you may be prepared to overlook some of the DS 3’s deficiencies.

You do have plenty of other options though. Other cars riding on the same platform as the DS 3 include the Citroen C3 Aircross, Peugeot 2008, and Vauxhall Mokka, while the Ford Puma is one of the best-driving cars in this class and the Renault Captur one of the most comfortable and grown-up. The Nissan Juke is an evergreen choice too, and also majors on striking looks.

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What’s the best used DS 3 model to buy?

High levels of equipment across the range means there’s not as much priority on trim level here as there might be for some of the DS 3’s rivals. Performance Line is the one to go for if you’re not keen on chrome trim, and anything from Prestige trim and up (or Rivoli and up on post-2022 cars) is the way to get leather-trimmed seats. Prestige and up, and all post-2022 cars, also have a larger 10-inch touchscreen.

As far as engines and transmissions go, the Puretech 130 with its standard automatic gearbox feels like a sweet spot for the DS 3, with enough power to get where you’re going and a more relaxed experience than the manual, which plays into the compact luxury car feel. If it works for you though, the electric E-Tense model enhances this impression further.

Used DS 3 fuel economy and performance

• DS 3 Puretech 100: A 100PS 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol three-cylinder kicks off the DS 3 range, making 101PS through a six-speed manual gearbox. 0-62mph comes up in 10.9 seconds and combined economy is up to 52mpg.
• DS 3 Puretech 130: Next up is a 131PS variant of the same 1.2 petrol, though an eight-speed auto is the only transmission this time. DS quotes 9.2 seconds from 0-62mph and up to 47.1mpg combined.
• DS 3 Puretech 155: No longer offered new, the Puretech 155 was an even more powerful version of the 1.2-litre petrol, making 155PS through an eight-speed automatic, and getting from 0-62mph in 8.2 seconds. Economy was up to 46.6mpg.
• DS 3 BlueHDi 100: The only diesel in the DS 3, now only available used, was a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel making 102PS, with a standard six-speed manual gearbox. 0-62mph took 11.4 seconds and DS claimed up to 62.7mpg combined.
• DS 3 E-Tense: The all-electric E-Tense has been available in two specifications since it was launched, a 136PS model with a 50kWh battery, and post-2022, a more powerful 155PS version with the same battery capacity. Strangely DS reckoned the earlier car was quicker, with a 0-62mph of 8.7 seconds to the current 9 seconds, but despite the similar battery, range has climbed from 200 miles to between 232-270.

What used DS 3 trim levels are available?

The DS 3’s trim lines are a little complicated at a glance, having changed a couple of times since the model was introduced as the DS 3 Crossback, and sometimes varying in equipment depending on what engine (or electric motor) is under the bonnet. Below we’ve covered most of the significant ones, with the first four being models offered prior to 2022’s update, and the final three being offered since - though we’d also note that regular Performance Line trim is where the new range currently starts. Don’t over-think it if you’re in the market though - the main changes you need to be aware of are that in pre-2022 models, Prestige and up got a larger touchscreen and post-2022 all models did, while visually Performance Line models can be distinguished by a relative absence of chrome trim and by black-painted alloy wheels.

• The DS 3 Elegance kicked off the original DS 3 Crossback range with 17-inch alloy wheels, auto headlights, a leather steering wheel, cruise control, rear parking sensors, air conditioning, and a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
• The DS 3 Performance Line added Alcantara trim, a different 17-inch wheel design, a sport driving mode on automatic variants, tinted rear windows, a perforated leather steering wheel, and aluminium pedals. It currently serves as the entry-level model for brand new DS 3s and has a larger 10.3-inch touchscreen.
• The DS 3 Prestige is not offered in the current DS 3 range but added leather trim, a larger 10-inch touchscreen, navigation, automatic climate control, and front parking sensors.
• The DS 3 Ultra Prestige stepped up further with 18-inch alloy wheels, ‘watchstrap’ Nappa leather seats, a head-up display, reversing camera, and LED matrix headlights.
• The DS 3 Performance Line+ jumps back to the updated post-2022 range and sits above Performance Line trim, adding 18-inch alloys and keyless entry.
• The DS 3 Rivoli is one step above Performance Line+ and adds a black leather interior, a different 18-inch wheel design, a ‘chrome diamond’ front grille design, and chrome badging.
• The DS 3 Opera gets a different leather interior theme, electric heated and massaging front seats, a head-up display, wireless phone charging, a reversing camera, front parking sensors, and an advanced safety pack with additional driver assistance features.

Used DS 3 dimensions and boot size

The DS 3’s dimensions are:

• Length: 4118mm
• Width: 1802mm (without mirrors)
• Height: 1534mm

The DS 3’s boot size is:

• 350 litres

Used DS 3 road tax

If you’re looking at the all-electric DS 3 E-Tense, then you won’t have to pay anything at all to tax it each year. For petrol and diesel models though, all are subject to the same flat rate of VED, which currently stands at £180 per year.

How much is it to insure a DS 3?

The least expensive DS 3 to insure is the Puretech 100 with the manual gearbox, which starts in group 15 insurance. The more powerful Puretech 155 rises to group 24 in some variants while the electric ones climb higher still, to group 29. For comparison, the all-petrol Ford Puma range spans groups 11-16 in the regular range and the ST rises to group 22.

Read our full DS 3 review