DS 3 Crossback E-Tense

Overview

The DS 3 E-Tense Crossback E-Tense was a chic, compact electric SUV from the French premium brand DS Automobiles, aiming to blend Parisian haute couture with zero-emission motoring. Though never officially sold new in the US, meaning no direct US MSRP, it positioned itself as a stylish alternative in the European small EV Crossover segment. Its key draw was its distinctive, avant-garde design and a focus on interior refinement. Production of this specific trim ran from 2020 to 2022. Think of it as a fashion-forward city runabout with an electric heart.

What's New for 2022?

For the 2022 model year, which was also its final year of production, the DS 3 Crossback E-Tense largely carried over its existing specs and features. DS had introduced an updated version with a new motor and slightly larger battery for the *2023 model year* DS 3 E-TENSE (dropping the "Crossback" name), which also brought a modest range increase. However, the "Crossback E-Tense" specified, ending in 2022, didn't receive these later updates, making the 2022 version very similar to the 2021 model, essentially a stylish swan song for this iteration.

Design & Exterior

The DS 3 Crossback E-Tense screams French flair! It’s a real head-turner with its distinctive front grille, striking vertical LED daytime running lights (DS WINGS), and those super cool flush-fitting door handles that pop out as you approach. The unique "shark fin" design on the B-pillar is a signature DS touch. Rolling on stylish alloy wheels, its compact dimensions (Length: 162.1 inches, Width excl. mirrors: 70.9 inches, Height: 60.4 inches) make it a doddle to park, while still having plenty of road presence for a small SUV.

Interior, Tech & Cargo

Inside, the DS 3 E-Tense Crossback offers a posh, five-seat cabin, dripping with diamond-shaped design motifs – very chic! Material quality feels premium. Passenger space is decent up front, a bit cozier in the back. Tech-wise, you typically get a central touchscreen (often 10.3 inches in later models) with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus a digital driver’s display. Cargo space is 12.4 cubic feet in the trunk, expanding to 37.1 cubic feet with seats down; no frunk here, though, so all your luggage goes in the back.

Performance & Driving Experience

Under the hood (figuratively speaking!), the Crossback E-Tense packs a single Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) driving the front wheels. It delivers 100 kW (around 134 hp) and a handy 192 lb-ft of torque, making it feel peppy for city driving. Nought to 60 mph takes a respectable 8.4 seconds, with a top speed of 93 mph. The ride is generally comfort-focused, soaking up bumps well, and it’s wonderfully quiet. It offers a few driving modes and adjustable regenerative braking to help you eke out more range from every charge.

Range, Battery & Charging

The 2022 Crossback E-Tense features a 46.3 kWh usable battery pack (50 kWh nominal). Green Cars Compare calculates a real-world range estimate of around 182 miles, with an efficiency of about 3.93 mi/kWh. For charging, its 7.4 kW standard AC on-board charger can juice it up fully in roughly 6-7 hours at home. On the go, its 400V architecture supports DC fast charging up to 101 kW, meaning a 10-80% top-up could take around 30 minutes. It uses a CCS Type 2 port, common in Europe but not directly compatible with US CCS Type 1 stations.

Safety & Driver-Assistance Features

While not tested by the US NHTSA (as it wasn't sold stateside), the DS 3 Crossback, upon which the E-Tense is based, earned a 4-star Euro NCAP rating in 2019 with standard safety kit, and 5 stars with the optional safety pack. You could expect a suite of driver aids, often including automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assist, speed limit recognition, and cruise control. Higher-spec trims or option packs would add features like adaptive cruise control with stop & go, blind-spot monitoring, and DS DRIVE ASSIST for Level 2 semi-autonomous driving capabilities.

Warranty & Maintenance Coverage

Since the DS 3 E-Tense Crossback wasn't officially sold in the US, any warranty would be based on European market terms – typically something like a 2 or 3-year basic vehicle warranty and an 8-year/100,000-mile warranty for the battery, often covering degradation below 70%. As a discontinued model (production ended in 2022), any original warranty would be tied to its initial sale date in Europe. Like most EVs, maintenance is generally lower than internal combustion engine cars, focusing on tires, brakes, and cabin filters, offering potentially fuss-free motoring.