The DS 3 Crossback is a subcompact premium family SUV designed to compete with fairly established German brands. In order to even be able to threaten the likes of VW, Audi, BMW, and Mercedes, the DS 3 has to be different, but at least as good as the T-Roc, the Audi Q3, the BMW X1, and the Mercedes GLA. So, is DS 3 Crossback E-Tense a good car?
The DS 3 Crossback E-Tense is indeed a good car, but it resides in arguably the most competitive segment of premium cars today as a subcompact and compact SUVs and crossovers are the most popular premium cars in existence. The E-Tense badge is only reserved for an electric DS 3 Crossback which means that the DS 3 borrows the well-known Stellantis EV platform.
Design-wise, the DS 3 is an eye-catcher for sure, but some deem it to be a bit too over-styled and lacking identity. The interior of the DS 3 Crossback is really nicely laid-out with high-end materials, but it does not scream luxury in the same way as the Germans do. Reliability is not the best, but that is the case with the Germans as well.
The DS 3 Crossback E-Tense drives in a fairly relaxed fashion without trying to be overly sporty. Value-wise, the DS 3 E-Tense is firmly in the premium segment. Practicality is really good, but the overall trunk and seating space are not on par with the Germans.
DS 3 Crossback E-Tense – The Powertrain
The DS 3 Crossback E-Tense gets the familiar 50kWh battery you tend to find in plenty of Stellantis-owned brands such as Peugeot, Fiat, Opel, or Citroen. This means 136hp and a 0-60mph time of 9 seconds, the top speed is rated at 93mph. This powertrain is mated to a 1-speed gearbox and power is being sent to just the front wheels.
You can expect to get around 200 miles on a full charge which is okay-ish. The maximum charging rate is capped at 100kW which means that you can charge the DS 3 E-Tense from 20% to 80% in around 23 minutes. On the other hand, slow AC charging is likely going to take you more than 5 and less than 7 hours.
DS 3 Crossback E-Tense – Design and Driving
DS used to be a brand under the Citroen umbrella, but they decided to branch out back in 2015 and are now making standalone cars. The DS design language can be considered bold or striking which means that the DS 3 Crossback E-Tense is bound to turn heads wherever you go. The interior of the DS 3 Crossback is equally as striking.
When it comes to the driving experience, we can easily say that the DS 3 Crossback E-Tense manages to stay comfortable and well-controlled no matter where you drive it. It is fairly comfortable with good noise isolation. Moreover, DS does not try to make their cars sporty which means that you can expect a gentle and chilled cruising experience with the E-Tense.
DS 3 Crossback E-Tense – Reliability and Common Issues
The jury is still out on reliability with the E-Tense as this car has only been around for a short while. This means that we can’t fully assess how reliable or unreliable it is and thus will have to wait a few years before trying to. Either way, it does seem like the DS 3 E-Tense suffers from certain relatively minor issues that do need to be addressed.
For starters, certain advanced driver assistance systems such as the lane keep assist feature can be overly assertive which prompts most owners to turn it off. The door handles are known to be unreliable at times and the app that comes with the car is not the easiest to use which means that many owners don’t know how to set up charging sessions beforehand.
DS 3 Crossback E-Tense – Value and Practicality
You can expect to pay a little under €40,000 for the DS 3 Crossback E-Tense in Europe which is a fairly high price tag for a Stellantis-based car. However, the DS 3 E-Tense is much better than many other EVs based on this platform as it truly does feel like a premium product throughout.
Practicality is also really good as the DS 3 E-Tense manages to pack in quite a lot of stuff for its size. However, most German rivals offer more seating space and more trunk space. Furthermore, they are also a tad bit more intuitive to use overall.
FAQ Section
Should I buy the DS 3 Crossback E-Tense?
If you are interested in buying a high-end family compact electric SUV, you truly are spoiled for choice here. Virtually every premium brand out there offers something in this segment which means that there are dozens upon dozens of options you can go with. What makes the DS 3 stand out in this crowd?
I’d say that the DS 3 follows a completely authentic design trajectory, both inside and out. Where Germans like to be conservative with design, DS goes all out and makes the car truly eye-catching. This, in my opinion, is the main selling point of the DS 3 E-Tense and is also the reason why one should go for the DS-3 over its competitors.
Is the DS 3 Crossback E-Tense a luxury car?
The DS 3 Crossback E-Tense is a luxury car, both price-wise and substance-wise. However, we do need to point out that there are many other luxury cars from this segment that do hold greater weight in most motorists’ hearts. The DS 3 is a truly exciting-looking car that somehow feels fresh in a segment where being fresh is fairly difficult.
As such, the DS 3 definitely earns its place at a corporate car park, even though it isn’t the best luxury car in this segment, not even by a long shot.
Is the DS 3 Crossback available as a hybrid?
As mentioned in the beginning, the E-Tense naming comes from the fact that the DS 3 Crossback E-Tense is the EV version of the DS3. There are no DS 3 hybrid versions at the moment, and that is unlikely to change anytime soon.