First Drive - EV Review - DS3
Review: Electric DS 3
What is it?
When most people think of the French brand ‘DS’, it’s likely the DS3 that’ll first spring to mind. However, alongside that original hatchback came the DS3 Crossback, which was a quirky-looking compact SUV which, in truth, never really struck a chord with buyers.
Now, however, it has been revived. And though the Crossback name has been ditched - and an electric version added - the new DS3 is here to make an impact. We’ve been finding out what it’s like.
What’s new?
That Crossback name hasn’t just been cut from the DS3, but the larger DS7 too, reflecting a company-wide streamlining. It’s been done to make things a little easier and less confusing, though you could argue that this model now instantly sounds like the smaller, older hatchback.
But naming aside, this new electric E-Tense model has gained a larger battery and more power than before, which should help it to go further and get there quicker.
What’s under the bonnet?
Though you can still get the DS3 with a petrol engine, it’s the electric version which will likely be the focus for most people. Power has been upped from 134bhp to 153bhp, with 0-60mph coming in 8.8 seconds. DS also claims a top speed of 93mph for the DS3, too.
The battery has been increased in size from 46.3kWh to 50.8kWh, but some efficiency improvements mean that there have been some big gains when it comes to outright range. On the older DS3 you might’ve struggled to see 160 miles from a full charge, whereas this latest version is much more likely to manage 220 miles from a fill-up.
What’s the electric DS 3 like to drive?
Though the DS3 might not have that immediate ‘burst’ of acceleration that you get from most EVs, it’s able to gather speed at a decent enough pace. However, switch it into ‘Sport’ mode and this really does sharpen the throttle quite a bit, so it’s a great option if you’re looking to make a swift overtake.
But this isn’t a car designed to be sporty, after all. Having said that, body roll is largely well contained and the sporty flat-bottomed steering wheel has a nice dynamic feel to it. The DS3’s compact proportions also make it a breeze to park, while its square dimensions ensure that it’s not tricky to judge where the car’s corners are.
How does it look?
As we’ve mentioned, the DS3 does have a large number of competitors to go up against but, thankfully, it does well to stand out from the crowd in the styling department. Neat touches like the flush pop-out door handles are particularly clever, as are the large LED front daytime running lights.
This new updated version features a redesigned grille, too, as well as new wheel designs and a gloss black strip at the rear of the car. There’s also a new ‘Diva Red’ exterior paint colour which looks particularly good on the DS3’s compact proportions.
What’s it like inside?
For the uninitiated, the cabin of any DS model can prove to be a bit of a challenge. It’s not that the material quality is bad, it’s just that the location of all of the major controls flies in the face of convention. The electric window switches, for instance, are located in the centre rather than on the doors. However, because of this is all feels quite unusual and special - something you don’t tend to find in this segment.
Some of the diamond-shaped buttons on the dashboard can be a bit fiddly to use, but the overall material quality is great. The seats are also comfortable and supportive.
What’s the spec like?
Whichever version of DS3 you opt for you’re going to get plenty of equipment. Standard features include a 10.3-inch central touchscreen, black Alcantara trim and climate control. Move up to Rivoli trim to get a full leather interior and extra chrome trim, which does help to add to that overall premium feel.
There are also the top-spec Opera models, which throw in everything you could want such as heated and massaging front seats and a clear head-up display.
Verdict
The tweaks that have been made to this new DS3 have really worked wonders. On an EV, any improvement in range is appreciated, but the boost for the DS3 really makes a big impact and ensures that this electric car can manage much longer journeys than before.
The interior also feels special and well made, while the level of standard equipment on offer is great too. Go easy with the options and keep the DS3’s price down and there’s no reason why this can’t be a really great electric car option.
