Skip advert
Advertisement

DS 3 review - Does French hatch match a Mini for fun? - Design

A car first, now a brand, the DS3 is Citroen’s spin-off that’s aiming at the premium players

Evo rating
RRP
from £13,995
  • Entertaining drive, fine styling, interesting interior and plenty personalisation makes for a fun Mini rival
  • The Mini does everything a little bit better

It might not be the newest premium hatch on the block, but the DS 3 still looks fresh, helped by a mild facelift in 2014 and further revisions when the model became a standalone DS product.

The reverse shark's fin on the B-pillar in body colour piercing the blacked out pillars is a neat visual trick, while DS uses LED lights to tremendous effect to create a distinctive face at the front and very cool 3D-effect tail lights. The scope for personalisation is vast, while the DS wheel choices are all distinctive. There’s even the option to colour-code the ignition key.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Squat proportions, extremely neat detailing inside and out and some clever surfacing and colour use continue to make the DS3 look fresh despite its age. The Performance models are neat, too - their colour schemes and trim appendages are among the more tasteful options in the hot hatchback class.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

2028 Land Rover Defender Sport spied – baby SUV will soon be on a school run near you
2028 Defender Sport
News

2028 Land Rover Defender Sport spied – baby SUV will soon be on a school run near you

The Land Rover Defender family is set to expand, with a smaller, more affordable Sport variant
14 Oct 2026
New Porsche Mission S previews a supercar to sit above the 911, and help turn the brand’s fortunes around
Porsche Mission S
News

New Porsche Mission S previews a supercar to sit above the 911, and help turn the brand’s fortunes around

Porsche will build a new supercar based on the Mission S concept as part of its new model strategy. The best bit? It won’t be electric
15 Oct 2026
Bentley Continental GT (Mk3, 2018 - 2024) review – the last 12-cylinder Bentley is now BMW M2 money
Bentley Continental GT Mk3
In-depth reviews

Bentley Continental GT (Mk3, 2018 - 2024) review – the last 12-cylinder Bentley is now BMW M2 money

Bentley’s last-generation GT was an major upgrade on its predecessor and now, it’s properly good value
15 Oct 2026