DS DS 3 review (2016 - 2019)
DS DS 3 cars for sale
3.0
Expert review
Pros
Lots of style for little money
Nippy and nimble, especially around town
Plenty of room in the front
Cons
Not as spacious in the back, and only three doors
Over-firm ride on big alloys
Some owners report electrical problems
The CarGurus verdict
The DS 3 gives you much of the feel and style of more expensive fashionable hatchbacks like the MINI, but for a more reasonable price. It also beats most of those boutique rivals on practicality, and while it’s not quite as much fun to drive, it’s still very enjoyable.
There are a few caveats, mind you: you’ll want to check well for the electrical problems some owners have reported, and we’d recommend avoiding models with big wheels to keep the 3 riding comfortably. But do that, and this chic little hatchback is a great way to get around with a dash of style.
Note, the DS 3 is one of the vehicles involved in a stop-drive recall issued by parent company Stellantis due to a serious airbag issue. Find out more about this in our full guide: Citroen/DS Automobiles issue rare ‘stop-drive’ recall
What is the DS 3?
So you want a small car, but you don’t want it to be dull. You’ve got your image to think about, after all, and that’s why you want something fashionable and fun; something that doesn’t just look or feel like all the other humdrum superminis on the road.
Enter the DS 3. At its launch in 2009, when it wore a Citroen badge, this petite hatchback took aim squarely at other boutique small cars like the MINI and Fiat 500. It was in 2016, though, that it became part of the new, stand-alone DS range, and with the change of name came styling tweaks that included jewel-like detailing to the headlamps, more upmarket upholstery and a wide range of new personalisation options.
Personalisation really was the name of the game with the DS 3. The plethora of paint schemes, contrasting roof options, decals and interior finishes meant you really could make it your own when you ordered one. It also means that, buying used, you’ll be able to choose from a wide range of looks that could be right up your street, or you might have to search long and hard for a style that’s right for you.
How practical is it?
Happily, whichever colour scheme you go for, you’ll find the 3 feels just as chic inside as it does on the outside. There’s a big swathe of glossy plastic that runs across the dashboard, and while not all the materials have the same high-quality feel as you’ll find in the Audi A1, the plastics all feel pleasant enough to the touch.
The front seats are plenty roomy enough, and while the rear seats are a touch more cramped than those in, say, a Ford Fiesta or a Volkswagen Polo, you do get more room than you do in either the MINI or the Fiat 500. There's more boot space, too. One thing worth noting, though, is that there’s no five-door version, so if you regularly have to carry rear-seat passengers, or need to strap a child into a car seat back there, you might find the DS 3 tiresome to live with.
What's it like to drive?
Hopefully, you shouldn’t find it too tiresome to drive, though. Around town, the 3 feels nippy and nimble, zipping around roundabouts with abandon and jinking its nose into gaps at a flick of the steering wheel.
And out on the open road, it’s just as much fun, with plenty of grip and a swift, responsive front end that follows the direction of the steering wheel faithfully. Granted, it isn’t quite as much fun as a MINI or a Ford Fiesta, but you can still have a laugh hustling the DS 3 along.
While the closely-related Citroen C3 went out of its way to prioritise comfort, the sportier setup of its DS-badged cousin does have an impact on its ride quality and refinement. It’s by no means harsh, but a MINI has more of a ‘big car’ feel when you’re cruising, and there’s a touch more noise in the cabin of the DS.
Technology and equipment
The entry-level Chic model came with 16-inch wheels and thicker tyres as standard, and that means it rides noticeably better than the rest of the range. You also got air conditioning, cruise control and a digital radio as standard. The range then progressed through Elegance and Performance Line models, which got more equipment and sportier styling respectively, to the luxurious Prestige, with front parking sensors and automatic headlights and wipers as standard.
There were also a series of limited editions, which featured a huge variety of different paint, decal and upholstery options, and are therefore worth looking out if you want your DS 3 to stand out from the crowd. Plus, the level of customisation that was offered means that there’s a wide array of different body colours, contrasting roof options and interior colours.
DS 3 running costs
The most economical petrol version isn’t actually the least powerful. In fact, the Puretech 110 engine should see around 50-55 mpg in everyday use, whereas the Puretech 82, with less power, will actually see slightly inferior economy as the smaller engine has to work harder to get the DS 3 up to speed.
The most economical DS 3 of all, however, is the diesel BlueHDI 100, which should see around 65 mpg; the more potent BlueHDI 120, however, won’t be far off that, and given the extra slug of power it gets you, that might make it a more rounded option.
Servicing costs at DS dealers are quite expensive, though, and more on a par with MINI or Audi dealers than Fiat's. You do get the benefit of slightly discounted servicing deals on older cars whose warranties have expired, but still, that doesn’t bring the cost down to that of a more mainstream rival. On the plus side, DS publishes its servicing costs online, so you’ll always know how much your next service is going to set you back.
One thing to bear in mind is that you’ll pay quite a bit more road tax on 3s registered after 1 April 2017, because of the way the road tax rules changed on that date. Before that date, the 3’s low emissions mean you’ll pay very little tax on all but the Performance version; thereafter, however, all 3s are taxed at a flat rate that’s quite a bit more expensive.
Diesel and 1.2-litre petrol engines are both fitted with timing belts that will need changing every 10 years or 112,500 miles, rather than chains which last the lifetime of the car, so keep in mind that’s an additional cost you’ll need to be prepared for. However, the 1.6-litre petrol engine uses a timing chain, which should last the lifetime of the car.
DS 3 reliability
The 1.6-litre petrol engine, badged THP, is known to suffer from issues with its timing chain, which can stretch and cause significant engine damage, potentially requiring a whole new engine to fix. With that in mind, it’s worth avoiding any car with this engine that makes any odd noises from under the bonnet. The problem is exacerbated by poor maintenance, so make sure the service history is tip-top, though even well-maintained cars can suffer.
DS 3 owners have also reported electrical problems resulting from water leaking into the fuse box under the bonnet. Again, it’s worth checking this out on any prospective purchase; look inside the fuse box for signs of water damage or corrosion, and make sure the fuse box lid fits securely.
Check beneath the door mirrors for signs of corrosion, too; the doors themselves are known to go rusty here, and the first sign is bubbling on the doors beneath the mirror housings.
If you can, it’s also worth getting a mechanic to check the suspension springs are in good order. The DS 3s’ springs have been known to snap at the bottom, and this is hard to detect without inspecting the car from beneath but do listen out for any odd clunks on the test drive, though.
Note, the DS 3 is one of the vehicles involved in a stop-drive recall issued by parent company Stellantis due to a serious airbag issue. Find out more about this in our full guide: Citroen/DS Automobiles issue rare ‘stop-drive’ recall.
- The DS 3 carried over the same range of engines and gearboxes that was introduced in its Citroen-badged predecessor shortly before its name was changed. That meant two different petrol engines, a 1.2-litre and a 1.6-litre, offering up various power outputs from 81bhp right up to 163bhp, and with a six-speed automatic gearbox available on the 108bhp version (though given this automatic was slow and rather jerky, we reckon it’s best avoided). Also available was a 1.6-litre diesel in two different states of tune – 99bhp and 119bhp – though these are rarer on the used market, and indeed, we reckon the petrol engines suit the DS 3’s character better.
- It’s rare, but there’s also a hot hatchback version of the DS 3. Called the Performance, its 207bhp 1.6-litre turbo is shared with the Peugeot 208 GTI, and puts it toe-to-toe with hot hatch greats of the day like the Ford Fiesta ST. Well, on paper at least, but sadly the DS 3 Performance is a bit disappointing in the flesh thanks to its board-rigid ride quality and numb, uncommunicative steering. Yes, it’s fast, and its handling is sporty enough, but there are better hot hatches out there, and they tend to cost less to buy and be easier to find, too.
- Fancy your DS 3 al fresco? Well, you can enjoy a spot of sunshine with the Cabrio version, if you choose to. However, there are some drawbacks to keep in mind. Firstly, the range of engines and versions is a little more limited than in the regular hatchback, especially on the latest cars, which were only available as a Performance Line model with a 108bhp engine and an automatic gearbox. Secondly, despite its name, the DS 3 Cabrio isn’t a full cabriolet; the window frames stay in place, so while you can roll back the canvas section of the roof, it doesn’t disappear completely. Finally, because the roof has been removed, the Cabrio feels a little more wobbly than the standard car; over bumps, you’ll notice the dashboard shuddering as the body isn’t quite as structurally stiff.
- We reckon the Puretech 110 Elegance is the best all-round model. It matches our favourite engine, a version of the 1.2-litre petrol that adeptly blends economy and low-down punch, with a few toys that are nice to have, such as climate control, but keeps the 16-inch wheels that keep the 3’s ride quality relatively supple.
- If you’re doing a higher-than-average mileage and you need good fuel economy, though, you might want to have a look at the BlueHDI 120 Elegance instead. Its diesel engine will keep your fuel costs down, and because it’s the more powerful of the two diesel versions on offer, it won’t feel out of its depth on the motorway.
- Buying on a budget? Then consider the Puretech 82 Chic. Its less powerful engine means it feels a bit wheezy, but this model’s the cheapest to buy, while still giving you the stylish looks and funky colour schemes of more expensive variants.
- But if style is your ultimate concern, look out one of the Cafe Racer special editions. This is arguably the most eye-catching DS 3 of all, with its green paintwork, tan leather interior, and a white roof emblazoned with a unique decal.
