Citroën DS3 (10 on) - Review

Review by David Ross on
Last Updated: 18 February 2011
The DS3 is the first in a range of very different Citroen models that put the emphasis on style and personality, along with strong performance and driver appeal. With its stylish look and compact size, it's easy to see why so many comparisons have been drawn with the popular MINI and Fiat 500. In contrast to those two, the DS3 isn't a 'retro' model, but it is similar in many ways with an elegant cabin, a sporty stance and impressive handling. It really is great to drive with tremendous poise in corners and responsive steering, while the ride remains forgiving. It's also very well built - something that can't be said for all Citroens - with a genuinely premium feel to the interior and impressive refinement at higher speeds. Overall, it's the best car Citroen has made for a long time.
4 out of 5

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3 out of 5

Buying new

Citroen dealers are known for having very good offers running and for being generous with discounts. However, the DS3 - as part of the DS range - stands out from the regular Citroen line-up and is much more desirable. As a result, it might be harder to get money off, but with a wide range of personalisation options available plus plenty of optional extras, there's still room for bargaining. It also looks good value when compared to a MINI.

Buy a new Citroën DS3 and save 15% on selected models

3.5 out of 5

Buying used

With so many different paint and interior combinations available, it's very rare to find two DS3s that are the same. This means that there'll be a wide choice on offer, however, if you're after something quite specific you could find it difficult to track down. The petrols are slightly more common than the HDi diesels with the 1.6 VTi 120 the most popular.

  • Boot/Load Space Citroën DS3 (10 on)
  • Interior Citroën DS3 (10 on)

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See 264 used Citroën DS3s for sale, starting at £9,988

3.5 out of 5

Selling

The DS badge hasn't been seen on a Citroen for many years, so the majority of buyers will be more familiar with the usual Citroen 'C' badging. But with the DS range set to expand, it will quickly become well known. It may be similar in size to a C3, but the DS3 is very different, especially in terms of handling - a key point to note when selling. It will appeal to style-conscious buyers - especially females - while all the engines offer low running costs.