Car review: Citroen DS three DSport

Cool, collected and competent: these are the words that neatly sum up the 3-door Citroen DS 3 DSport, writes auto reviewer Tim Barnes-Clay.

The DS 3 supplying from the French automobile maker has often looked achieved – but Citroen’s moved things up a notch.

Fresh, subtle, state-of-the-art headlights now make the automobile stand out even much more.

Citroen has combined light-emitting diode (LED) and piercing Xenon headlights with clearer indicators.

New lights and improved efficiency

These offer exceptional lighting efficiency and supply exceptional visibility at evening.

At the rear, the DS 3 has a distinctive 3D-impact LED light set up, with a chrome finished DS logo in a black embossed pattern setting.

These new lights imply efficiency has been improved simply because energy consumption is up to 75% reduce than the lights used in older DS 3 models.

This may possibly not seem much, but it counts towards the French automaker’s green efforts – and it equals savings.

Enhanced colour choices

For instance, the LEDs last up to 20 times longer than halogen lights, with an impressive standard lifetime of 20,000 hours.

To additional improve the allure of the DS 3, and to ensure it remains desirable, Citroen has also introduced a range of personalisation possibilities.

The DS 3’s colour alternatives have been enhanced, with the addition of Pearl White and Belle-Ile Blue to make it look even funkier.

On leading of that, the car gains visually striking 17″ alloy wheels.

Performance and comfort

But this mini motor is significantly much more than a auto with pretty lights, vibrant colours and flashy wheels: it strikes a best balance amongst functionality and comfort.

The most current engine, fitted to my DS 3 DSport test auto – the Blue HDi 120 – boasts up to 78mpg and emits just 94g/km of CO2. This indicates the automobile is low-cost to run.

On the practical side, you may feel little automobiles – or superminis, like the DS 3, are not any great.

You’d be wrong because the Citroen has one particular the biggest boots in its class and 5 “true” seats.

Automatic braking technique assists avoid low-speed crashes

It also now possesses new characteristics to boost the city driving expertise.

My car was fitted with Active City Brake. This is an automatic braking system that assists to avert low-speed crashes.

This is achieved thanks to a radar mounted at the leading of the windscreen, which identifies slow moving or stationary automobiles on the road ahead.

If the vehicle is driving at speeds reduce than 20mph, the sensor activates the brakes to stay away from a prospective collision.

Very good-looking, little and safe

Day-to-day manoeuvres are created simpler too, with the addition of a reversing camera on the DS 3.

This is an alternative, but I very suggest it. If you do add it to your Citroen, it automatically hyperlinks to the navigation system for ease of use.

The DS 3 DSport, fitted with a Blue HD 120 engine, will do -62mph in 10.4 seconds and maxes out at 118mph.

Those figures don’t look rapidly on paper, but the automobile feels swift and has arrow-like steering precision.

So, if you want a excellent hunting, tiny, secure motor with a decent boot, perky performance and low running costs – then the DS 3 is a good bet, as long as you don’t mind a 3-door automobile.

Pros & cons

• Emissions √


• Practicality √


• Looks √


• Economy √


• Security √


• Only 3 doors X

Quick details

• Max speed: 118 mph


• -62 mph: 8.4 secs


• Combined mpg: 78.5


• Engine: 1598cc 4 cylinder 16 valve Diesel


• Max. energy (bhp): 120 at 3500 rpm


• Max. torque (lb.ft): 210 at 1750 rpm


• CO2: 94 g/km


• Cost: £20,165 on the road

Examine auto insurance coverage – you could locate a fantastic deal in minutes Get a car insurance coverage quote

Car review: Citroen DS three DSport