Video Summary
- The DS 3 E-Tense has dropped “Crossback” from its name.- It has a wider grill and redesigned lights.
- It has a new efficient motor and a larger battery pack.
- DS says it has no rivals, but it competes with the Vauxhall Mokka E, Jeep Avenger, and Peugeot E-2008. These are from the same parent company, Stellantis, with the same hardware, but different styling and lower prices.
- The top-spec Opera model costs £42,700, and with extras £43,675.
- Lower spec models can be just over £37,000, which is still a lot of money when the petrol entry model is £26,000, which is £11,000 cheaper.
- Its Tesla Model 3 starts at £43,000 and BMW 3 Series rival. This car uses Vauxhall Corsa underpinnings.
- Its luxury isn't equated to size.
- It is 4.2 meters long, fairly compact, but still has a decent 350-litre boot. With the rear seats folded, it has 1,050 litres.
- It has a boot-loading lip and no dedicated compartment to store the charging cables.
- It charges up to 100kW, which means at a public charger 80% in a half hour and at home with a 7kW wall charger, 7.5 hours.
- 50kWh usable battery gives it a 270-mile range, theoretically. It has a heat pump standard.
- Legroom in rear is limited. Rear seat space is cramped, and it has small rear windows and big C-pillars.
- Up front, it feels cozy, but that's by design. First impressions are that it looks premium.
- It has padded leather seats, a jeweled effect, but is poorly placed switchgear.
- It has plenty of equipment as standard. Climate control, rear parking sensors, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
- The high-spec car has wireless smartphone charging, a head-up display, auto high beams, and an advanced driver assistance pack.
- Menus can be convoluted, and it's hard to make some adjustments. The climate control needs to be adjusted on the screen.
- It is smooth and spirited acceleration, but has a 93 mph top speed.
- A downside to EVs is weight. It has 1,550 kg. It's 400 kg heavier than the entry petrol model. There is quite a bit of body roll in the corners. The soft suspension means the ride is comfortable, but rough surfaces will jostle.
- The energy efficiency is good. 3.5 miles per kWh on motorways, 4 with a mix of urban and country driving. Larger EVs give around 3 and 3.5.
- The regenerative braking is good but not one-pedal driving.
- The rivals are better and cheaper: the Kia Niro, Vauxhall, Peugeot, and Jeep.
- In isolation, the DS3 E-Tense is a good car, but its rivals are better.
