DS 3 Crossback practicality and boot space

• More passenger space than a Q2
• E-Tense model doesn’t compromise on cabin space
• Boot smaller than rivals

At 4,118mm-long, the DS 3 Crossback is about 30mm shorter and wider than the Citroen C3 Aircross, but it’s more than 100mm lower, which does wonders for the stocky stance. 

Visibilty is good all-round, although the front windscreen pillars are quite thick, making certain junctions a little tricky to navigate. The rear-view camera and light steering allows for easy parking manoeuvres.

There’s enough space for four passengers, with more knee room than the Audi Q2 and Mazda CX-3, although there’s no foot space beaneath the front seats. The box-shaped MINI Countryman is still the most spacious overall.

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There are hooks for hanging bags in the boot, which is large enough for a few cases of hand luggage, but the DS 3 Crossback trails both the Audi Q2 and MINI Countryman for outright space. The rear seat backrest splits 40:60 for larger items, and while the boot floor is low, you’ll have to lift heavier, bulkier items over a high bumper sill.

That said, the DS 3 Crossback uses a platform that was designed to package BEV technology from day one, so here there’s less compromise on the car’s packaging and allows it to be built on the same factory line. Boot space remains the same and there’s no raised cabin floor to accommodate the batteries beneath.

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Extra storage around the interior isn’t particularly remarkable. The door bins are large and easily accessible, while a pair of cupholders reside on the centre console as well as a tray for wireless charging smartphones. There’s a large front centre armrest, although the glovebox on right-hand drive models is little more than a token gesture.

Safety

• Four star Euro NCAP score
• Five stars with safety pack
• Plenty of safety kit available

The 3 Crossback doesn’t quite have the most sophisticated safety equipment currently available, but there’s a good level included as standard. All cars get autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection (though not cyclist detection), lane-keeping assist and traffic sign recognition, plus a full suite of six airbags.

The optional safety pack is needed for a full five-star Euro NCAP rating, though, and it adds high beam assist, blind-spot detection and adaptive cruise control capable of driving the car for itself on motorways. Top-spec Ultra Prestige cars also get a head-up display.