DS 3 Review 2025: Price, specs & boot space

Written by Richard Aucock
Quick overview
Pros
- Upmarket interior design
- Eye-catching styling
- Generous level of equipment
Cons
- Limited rear-seat space
- Small boot capacity
- Not very enjoyable to drive
Overall verdict on the DS 3
“The DS 3 is a defiantly leftfield take on the crossover SUV, with a focus on style and luxury. Aesthetics are put above practicality and the driving experience, though.”

The small SUV market continues to grow, with a huge amount of vehicles available. There is now an SUV to suit every taste and budget, with the DS 3 proving that even French eccentricity can be catered for.
Forget any comparisons with the old Citroen DS 3 hatchback, first introduced in 2010. Instead, this is a model from the standalone DS Automobiles luxury brand – and was first introduced in 2018 as the DS 3 Crossback. A later rebrand saw the Crossback name dropped, leaving the DS 3 compact SUV we know today.
Positioning the DS 3 as a luxury crossover means it is pitched against rivals like the Audi Q2, Volkswagen T-Cross, and MINI Countryman. Whether the DS 3 can match them on outright quality is questionable, but it certainly makes a pitch for being the most extravagant SUV.
There is a choice of two petrol engines for the DS 3, both of which are versions of a turbocharged three-cylinder unit. An electric version, badged DS 3 E-Tense, is best treated as an entirely separate model.
Ride quality is on the firm side, and the DS 3 is not particularly engaging to drive, with a surprising amount of body-roll when cornering. It means this SUV is best driven steadily and smoothly, enjoying the plush interior found inside all versions.
The standard specification for the DS 3 is also generous, but the range-topping Opera model is the genuine standout model. With Nappa leather trim, it helps justify the premium price tag attached.
The DS 3 is not going to be the compact crossover for everyone, thanks to its divisive styling and limited practicality. Being rather expensive will certainly curtail the number of buyers it appeals to as well.
However, if you want an SUV that will stand out in the car park, the DS 3 is certainly one way to make an impression. heycar has 1000s of used cars for sale, including a wide range of DS 3s for sale.
Is the DS 3 right for you?
What's the best DS 3 model/engine to choose?
What other cars are similar to the DS 3?
Comfort and design: DS 3 interior
“If you have ever wondered what it might be like to drive a designer handbag, the DS 3 will provide you with the answer.”

Diamonds need to be your best friend should you be interested in a DS 3, with the motif used extensively throughout the cabin. Everything from the air vents to the switchgear – and even the instrument panel – uses the same diamond-shaped design.
‘Avant garde’ is perhaps the best way to describe the layout of the DS 3’s interior, although it is not the most user-friendly design. Remembering what each touch-sensitive button does can be a challenge, and having an infotainment display angled slightly away from the driver in right-hand-drive models does not help.
The front seats are undeniably comfortable, regardless of the trim level chosen, but there is little in the way of side support. Combined with the DS 3’s tendency for body-roll, this will certainly limit your enthusiasm for corners.
Quality and finish
Infotainment: Touchscreen, USB, sat nav and stereo in the DS 3
Space and practicality: DS 3 boot space
Handling and ride quality: What is the DS 3 like to drive?
“The DS 3 has clearly been designed with comfort in mind, but the ride quality falls short of luxury expectations.”

It is important to remember that, unlike many other manufacturers, DS Automobiles does not pitch the DS 3 as being a sporty SUV to drive. Instead, the DS 3 is intended to be a comfortable car first, putting aside ideas of carving through corners for fun.
As a result, the DS 3 is not the most agile of compact crossovers. There is a noticeable degree of body-roll, something that wouldn’t be present in a Ford Puma, yet there is still plenty of grip on offer. The steering is light but precise, allowing the car to be threaded along country roads without much effort.
Where the DS 3 struggles is with ride quality. At motorway speeds it is acceptable, but around town the suspension struggles to deal with potholes and other bumps in the road. The result is a lot of jolts and shudders being transmitted back to the cabin.
This is amplified by Esprit de Voyage and Opera models, with their larger 18-inch alloy wheels and low-profile tyres. Rivals such as the Audi Q2 and Ford Puma deliver a sportier driving experience, but also with a more balanced and refined ride quality.
What engines and gearboxes are available in the DS 3?
Refinement and noise levels
Safety equipment: How safe is the DS 3?
MPG and fuel costs: What does a DS 3 cost to run?
“With a pair of small petrol engines, the DS 3 offers the benefit of respectable fuel economy figures.”

The DS 3 is sold with a pair of three-cylinder petrol engines, which promise to deliver relatively affordable fuel costs.
The entry-level Puretech 100 engine, offered solely for the Performance Line model, demonstrates the best official economy figures. In the WLTP combined test, this engine delivers an average of between 45.3 mpg and 54.3mpg.
Opting for the more powerful Puretech 130 engine, with its eight-speed automatic gearbox, makes the car slightly less efficient. This version has a combined average between 45.6mpg and 48.7mpg.
For those who want even lower running costs, the pure-electric DS 3 E-Tense version will appeal, particularly if you can charge the car at home.
How reliable is the DS 3?
Insurance groups and costs
VED car tax: What is the annual road tax on a DS 3?
How much should you be paying for a used DS 3?
“The DS 3 has proven to be popular in the UK, meaning there is plenty of choice on offer. Used prices now start from as low as £13,000.”

Having been on sale since late 2019, there are now numerous examples of the DS 3 to buy on the used market.
A 1.2 petrol Performance Line model from 2020, with 25,000 miles on the odometer, could be yours for just £12,500. At the other end of the scale, the equivalent 2023 DS 3 in nearly-new condition would cost less than £25,000.
Trim levels and standard equipment
Ask the heycar experts: common questions
Are DS models made by Citroen?
Is the DS 3 electric?
How long is the warranty on the DS 3?
DS DS 3 cars for sale on heycar
DS DS 31.2 PureTech Elegance 3dr
201743,500 milesPetrol£5,495
ME87JBDS DS 31.2 PureTech 130 Performance Line 3dr
201744,589 milesPetrol£156 mo£6,795
Great priceS711AJDS DS 31.2 PureTech Elegance 3dr
201647,109 milesPetrol£121 mo£5,290
Great priceWF29SEDS DS 31.2 PureTech 82 Connected Chic 3dr
201847,957 milesPetrol£143 mo£6,483
Good priceDH15DQDS DS 31.2 PureTech Ines de la Fressange 3dr
201735,861 milesPetrol£7,260
Good priceLS126EG
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