Citroen DS3 Review (2010-2018)

What is the Citroen DS3?

The DS3 was launched to great critical acclaim in 2010, and it’s a striking-looking car, thanks to its distinctive gaping grille, boomerang front LEDs, shark’s fin B-pillar and the illusion of a floating roof, created by contrasting colour combinations.

In addition to the hatchback, there’s also a convertible version, known as the DS3 Cabrio, but this is a bit of a misnomer, because the roof doesn’t go all the way down, and you let the sun in simply by rolling back the full-length sunroof.

The modern form of DS (the name was originally borne by classic models) started as Citroen’s premium sub brand, and the DS 3 was the first new car to which it was applied. However, DS split from Citroen and became an independent brand in 2015. That meant the Citroen DS3 became known simply as the DS 3 (note the space between the letters and numbers) and it underwent a simultaneous facelift.

How practical is it?

Soft-touch materials, glossy panels, and some funky design touches are all part of the DS3’s appeal inside, but it’s short on practicality features. There are no cup holders, and the glovebox and the door pockets are tiny.

The dials and the switches are all pretty solid, and every model has a height-adjustable driver’s seat and two-way steering wheel adjustment.

At 285 litres, the boot is close to an equivalent Ford Fiesta’s, so the Citroen is more practical than a MINI or a Fiat 500 in this respect, but it isn’t the last word in spacious. Accessing the rear seats is a real contortionist’s act, due to the three-door-only body style and restrictive legroom, while the dinky rear windows make things even less accommodating. They don’t help when you’re reversing into tight spaces, either.

What's it like to drive?

The DS3 has plenty of grip and there’s little body, so it feels alert and agile in corners, but the steering is vague, so it isn’t as engaging or as responsive as a MINI, and the ride is uncomfortable. Throw in high levels of road noise at motorway speeds, and long-distance commuting becomes a bit of a chore.

Early cars came with a series of petrol engines, including a 95bhp 1.4-litre VTi, a 120bhp 1.6-litre VTi, or a 150bhp 1.6 THP turbo. They all perform well and have plenty of power for a car of this size, but the gearchange is notchy. Later models were offered with fizzier 1.2-litre, three-cylinder Puretech petrol engines, and although they are a little flat below 2,000rpm, they’re encouragingly strong above this point and happy to rev long and hard.

There is also a series of 1.6-litre HDi diesel engines, which deliver strong, smooth acceleration and exceptional fuel economy. However, to maximise that economy, flexibility is compromised by very long gearing. These engines are relatively quiet, but overall refinement is compromised by vibrations through the steering wheel and the floor, and a whine from the turbocharger.

Technology and equipment

The DS range was launched in the UK in DSign, DStyle, DStyle Plus, and DSport guises. We’d avoid the DSign model unless you’re happy to drive around with the windows open, because it doesn’t have air conditioning.

However, it does have cruise control, front fog lamps, and a leather steering wheel with audio controls, as well as remote locking and electric front windows. DStyle brings aircon, Bluetooth and alloy wheels, plus LED running lights. The DSport trim adds more exterior styling features, along with climate control, a USB socket, and an eight-speaker stereo.

Citroen DS3 running costs

The Citroen DS3 is cheap to run. The earlier 1.6-litre blue HDI diesel engines claim an official MPG in the high 70s, but this was calculated under the old NEDC test regime, which has since been replaced by the more realistic WLP standard. In real life, expect more like mid-50s MPG.

The petrol engines return between 35-40mpg but adding an automatic gearbox will reduce that figure by about 5mpg. Excluding the high-performance Racing model, the thirstiest petrol engines are the punchy 1.6 THP turbos, but many consider this a price worth paying, because they turn the DS into a pocket hot hatch.

Choose a facelifted DS 3 with the 1.2-litre 110 petrol engine and its 60mpg look pretty impressive, but like most three-cylinder engines, it needs to be driven quite hard a lot of the time, so you’re unlikely to see much more than mid-40s MPG.

The DS is no more complex than the C3 hatchback on which it’s based, so your local garage will have no problem servicing it. Even going to the main dealer won’t break the bank, because Citroen is known for affordable parts and maintenance costs.

Citroen DS3 reliability

Many of the engines found in the DS were co-developed with BMW and can also be found in a range of MINIs. A few high-mileage petrol models have had issues with light and temperature sensors, turbocharger pumps and cam chains. Some versions of the 1.6-litre THP engine, can suffer from stretched timing chains and excessive oil consumption. Make sure these engines don’t rattle or stutter at idle or smoke under acceleration.

A few owners have reported electrical faults with their DS3s, including wiring harness issues and the odd blown fuse. Trim rattles – of which there are reportedly plenty – will likely be a more common irritation.

Note, the Citroen DS3 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