In-depth reviews

DS 3 owner reviews

"The DS 3 stands out in the upmarket supermini market thanks to its practicality, style, fun-to-drive character and well built interior"

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15 May 2019

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Carbuyer Rating

2.9 out of 5

Owners Rating

3.2 out of 5

Reviews

Owner Reviews

5 out of 5
4 out of 5
3 out of 5
2 out of 5
1 out of 5

40%of people would recommend this car to a friend

Common Problems

Electrics, Engine, Other (1 case)
Brakes, Electrics, Other (1 case)
Other (1 case)

Review 1 of 5

Tell us what you think about your car?

I have had two new C3's which I was very happy with and in Sept 2015 decided on a change and went for a new DS3 instead. I don't do a huge mileage so the 110 S&S petrol looked like the best option. It is a 3 cylinder 1199cc turbo petrol and is very quiet and smooth to drive plus surprisingly quick off the mark if you put your foot down. This particular version has nicer looking alloy wheels, satnav built into the infotainment system and Hi-Fi system with subwoofer built into the rear. It is a very pretty car and nice to drive under any conditions. The 5-Speed gearbox is positive and smooth, there's plenty of room in the rear for passengers, the interior looks very smart and is of good quality and I've had no problems in the 2+ years I have owned it. I would definitely recommend a DS3 and will probably get another one when I decide to change it.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

I have owned my DS for nearly 4 years. It’s a lovely looking car inside and out, they don’t seem to make the 1.6 petrol anymore but it’s a nippy car and, aside from a lack of cupholders, I loved it until the handle went on my drivers seat, this is a really common fault and a massive design error on DS part. The handle can rarely be fixed alone and you will find you need a whole new seat for your “affordable small car” this comes in at just under £1,000. DS insist it’s not a common problem but just google it or just ask someone that works in a garage, IT IS a common fault and a very expensive one at that. I’ve also had problems with the electrics and some sensors, silly little things but they soon add up.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

On your first drive of the DS3 you notice even with the little 1.6 diesel, you have a plenty of power around town, this is probably because of the 220lbft of torque it delivers. This makes motorway driving feel very natural and you're never usually looking for power when overtaking. Parking the DS3 is also easy enough, although be careful as the front doors open wide and the diamond cut wheels will scratch easily. Boot space is as you’d expect a hatchback of this category although bigger than the Mini and Corsa. You also get a space saver in the boot (which was needed and used after the first 90 miles in the car). Fuel consumption: I’ve been averaging around 550 miles a £45 tank, with combined driving at sensible speeds. Performance: This is an interesting subject. So this particular DS3 is a diesel, the most economical on not only fuel but your wallet. The diesel range is all 1.6L engines with a few HDI’s but ranges from 90bhp to 120bhp. This range-topping £19,995 Diesel DS3 has 120BHP under the bonnet. In my opinion, any less it would feel slow and if you do not use the gears correctly you will lose power quickly. It likes to rev happily through first (a little too happy), the power band from the engine starts at a little over 2k to around 3.5k after this you’ll feel the drop in power. Although it’s not slow for a diesel, it’s not fast…especially for the price. Personally, I think it could have done with another 30hp bumping it to 150bhp (easily done with a remap). One place the DS3 does come into its own is on country roads, the grip you get round corners and the shunt from the 220lbft engine makes it feel quick. The handling of this car makes up for the lack of power. I’ve noticed under heavy braking the rear loses traction, this is concerning as un-intentional. The other issue I have found are the brakes locking up under braking, this has happened a few times and ABS hasn’t seemed to kick in. Even with the traction control on I have felt little assistance. Negatives: • A/C broke within the first week. Citroen have re-gassed and it’s broke again, now found to be a fault with the compressor itself • 17” Diamond Cut Alloys look great but prone to scratches and corrosion • Paintwork doesn’t match all body panels (Mainly Bumpers) • Chrome bubbling (Not covered by warranty) • No cup holders (Ok I have one but the cups fall out so is it a cup holder?) • Gear ratios too long for power band • Some interior parts feel cheap • Cannot store service book in glove box • Under heavy braking back end loses traction • Paint chips easily Positives: • Grips very well…Easily take corners at high speed with no worry • Stiff suspension gives you confidence • Decent power if you keep the revs in the power band • Looks great • Standard stereo is very good • Boot is good size • Engine has performance potential • Very fuel efficient • Easy to drive in both towns/cities and on the motorway • Gearbox has a good throw

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

You can’t fault the DS3 for its looks, which 8 years on from its launch still look fresh. You also can’t fault its go-cart like handling which make it easy to drive around town and very much a fun car to drive down the twisty stuff. The 1.2 PureTech engine is responsive and pulls like a much bigger engine, it also has a nice growl to it rather than the sewing machine clatter you usually associate with 3 cylinders. The automatic gearbox for the most part is pretty decent, the odd hard shift lets it down slightly. The ludicrous decision to make the tiptronic shifts go in the opposite direction (- towards you, + away) to what is considered normal and no option for paddle shift loses further marks. The interior is well laid out and looks good, build quality however is typically French so expect things to rattle. No option for heated seats is disappointing, although the seats themselves are comfortable. The sat nav is good but could be simpler to use. The upgraded HiFi system produces a reasonable good sound, however the user interface is horribly clunky with things buried in menus you would never guess to look at in the first place. Connection with iPhones is good but at the same time is very hit and miss with connecting to the DS app. I would recommend the DS3 as overall it is a great car, it is somewhat let down by the finer details and a lack of options though. if Citroen intend the DS brand to rival the other ‘premium’ marques they will have to up their game in terms of fit and finish and offer more options for things like heated seats and keyless entry.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

I have just traded my older 61 plate Citroen DS for a new 66 DS elegance, same 1.6 diesel, but wish I'd stayed with my old model! I was led to believe this was just an updated version of mine, but infact i feel I have downgraded. This model has no automatic lights and windscreen wipers, self closing heated wing mirrors, arm rest or even a CD player...it does have ONE built in cup holder (in the rear) but 1 is better than none. So far I have found no benefit from my expensive upgrade, even the car play does not work with my iPhone..and from what I have read on forums you have to pay extra for it to be installed. Driving it is just as good as my older model, but I would advise to get the top model if you are considering buying one. I personally wish I'd looked into the specifications more before buying and wish I'd kept my older one

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down