The brilliant DS 3 Crossover exudes style and luxury with impressive performance to match. But is this prestige Citroen spin-off formidable enough to navigate a cluttered compact SUV market, asks James McNamara.
Let's face it, some of Citroen’s hot hatches down the years were not for the faint-hearted.
These souped-up superminis were adrenaline-inducing for all the wrong reasons. They were deliberately lightweight, terrifyingly flimsy and definitely inferior to French counterparts like Peugeot’s 205 GTI or the Renault 5 GT Turbo.
So it’s comforting to see that Citroen’s latest standalone brand DS 3 Crossback couldn’t be further removed from its predecessors.
The DS 3 first came to prominence in 2009, although it was still badged as a Citroen. Finally, in 2014, the marque DS brand broke out on its own in Europe. When the DS 3 got its next facelift in 2016, it ditched its Citroen logo and launched a solo career.
The DS 3 Crossback really does strike a chord. On first sight this modern compact SUV stops you in your tracks. Its dazzling metallic paintwork gleams in the sunshine, elegantly perched on hefty 17in diamond-cut alloy wheels.
It’s just 4.12m long and based on the same platform as the Peugeot 208 and Opel Corsa. The chrome DS wings unfurled on the diamond-effect grille give the car an executive aviation feel, while discreet ribbing pinches the bonnet to help it further punch above its weight.
There’s also an eye-catching side door shark fin which gives the car some extra bite, burnished by two chrome-finished twin exhaust tailpipes glinting at the rear.
Dazzling LED headlights with two narrow vertical lights briefly jut inwards and trail to the bumper below.
Flush chrome door handles playfully spring out as you approach, inviting you to tug just a little bit more and climb inside using keyless entry.
The interior is a fabulous space to climb into. The diamond stitched leather seats ooze luxury, while cheaper components remain well hidden. A diamond pattern distracts at every turn. Even the vents get the diamond treatment.
While space is maximised, window size has become a casualty, further compounded by the shark fin, which, while aesthetically pleasing, won’t get a thumbs up from junior passengers travelling in the back.
The DS 3 is jam-packed with tech and spec, including a rear camera, parking sensors, and helpful lane assist.
"Most ordinary car buyers would consider this price tag steep enough for a fancy runaround to complement a larger family vehicle"
The car’s 7in infotainment system is respectable enough, although not as intuitive as others you’ll find in modern vehicles. In its desire to see through on its diamond theme, the manufacturers may have indulged in style over substance here.
This car has some fantastic driving modes. 'Eco’ is sensible enough for a stop-start commute, while ‘Comfort’ produces a delicious rasp from the exhaust, which gets even huskier when ‘Sport’ mode is activated.
Once the latter is selected, a red mist descends on the digital dials, indicating that something serious is cooking in the 1.2-litre injection and turbocharged engine.
With 155bhp to play with, it’s seriously zippy and, despite its diminutive dimensions, bellows like a substantial sports car firing at will through its 8-speed automatic gearbox.
The DS 3 Crossback has a top speed of 200kph and a claimed fuel consumption of 6.1 litres per 100km. My experience, while putting the car through its paces, was 7.5 litres per 100km.
It handles really well too and delivers great traction in spite of the car’s upright position. This car is just as much at ease on bustling city streets as it is on winding country roads.
Now for the business end. The DS 3 Crossback starts at €28,990 and comes in three grades Elegance, Performance Line and Performance Line+.
But if you are looking for a bit more spec, like leather and matrix lamps, the version I was driving had an on the road price of €33,590.
Most ordinary car buyers would consider this price tag steep enough for a fancy runaround to complement a larger family vehicle.
But maybe that’s not what DS are after here. This car is probably more likely to appeal to a younger, dynamic, dare I say, image-conscious cohort, more concerned with style and performance than isofix points and buggy space.
At these kinds of prices, and with COP26 in mind, not to mention the soaring cost of petrol becoming a financial drain, you may well consider going all in and finding another €5k for the all-electric version of the DS 3 instead.
The electric model has a respectable range of 320km, without imposing on interior space as the batteries are nestled well under the floor.
But if you’re not ready just yet to help the Government hit its ambitious target of 1 million EVs by 2030, there are plenty of other options in this market space.
Audi’s fully specced out A1 can be yours for around €5k less, and a Mini 5-door hatch Cooper has an on the road price of €29,735. The new Peugeot 2008 SUV starts at €25,490 also, while VW’s T-Cross R-Line is another to consider at €29,385.
Nonetheless, the DS 3 Crossback has come an awfully long way from its forebears - and with this little number there will be plenty saying 'je t'aime' to the DS brand all over again.
