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Expert Rating

DS 3

(2019 - present)

Expert Rating

New car score:

58
%
D

Used car score:

62
%
C

Expert Rating report card

Media Rating:

46
%
E

Safety Rating:

68
%
C

Eco Rating:

68
%
A

Reliability Rating:

-

Running Costs:

60
%
C

How are our Expert Rating scores calculated?

Expert Rating

New car score:

58
%
D

Used car score:

62
%
C

Expert Rating report card

Media Rating:

46
%
E

Safety Rating:

68
%
C

Eco Rating:

68
%
A

Reliability Rating:

-

Running Costs:

60
%
C

Summary


Arriving in the UK in early 2019 as the DS 3 Crossback, the DS 3 is a small SUV/crossover. It effectively takes the place of the previous DS 3 supermini hatchback in the DS Automobiles range.

The combustion-powered DS 3 is currently available with strictly petrol engine options – diesel models were available at launch, nut were removed later into the model’s lifespan. There is also an electric model called the DS 3 E-Tense. We have a separate page for the E-Tense here.

An update to this model landed in the UK in Spring 2023. Renamed simply as DS 3, the ‘Crossback’ tag has been dropped (the same thing also happened to the larger DS 7 Crossback), and the facelift also introduced a few minor exterior styling tweaks.

The crossover has received praise for its distinctive design and good equipment levels. However, it has been criticised by the UK motoring media for prioritising style over substance, with material quality and practicality not matching the best of its rivals.

Part of a very competitive small SUV sector, the majority of reviewers conclude that the DS 3 is a capable family-sized SUV that is hindered by the strengths of rivals – rivals that are often much cheaper. Parker‘s Luke Wilkinson says he feels unconformable recommending the DS 3 “without first trying to steer you towards a Ford Puma or one of the 3’s cheaper chassis siblings from within the Stellantis group.”

As of January 2025, the DS 3 holds a New Car Expert Rating of D, with a score of 58%. It scores top marks for its low CO2 emissions, but its running costs and safety rating are merely average. Its media reviews have been very poor. We also don’t currently have reliability data for the DS 3 range, so check back again soon.

DS 3 highlights

  • Well-equipped as standard
  • Upmarket interior
  • Comfortable driving experience

DS 3 lowlights

  • Expensive, base price and up
  • Rivals offer more rear legroom and boot space
  • So-so driving dynamics

Key specifications


Body style: Small SUV/crossover
Engines: petrol, diesel
Price: From £25,920 on-road

Launched: Spring 2019
Last updated: Spring 2023
Replacement due: TBA


Media reviews


Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

The Car Expert

+

Auto Express

+

Auto Trader

+

Business Car

+

Car

+

Carbuyer

+

Carwow

+

Company Car Today

+

Daily Mail

+

Daily Mirror

+

Eurekar

+

Fleetworld

+

Green Car Guide

+

Honest John

+

Parkers

+

The Sun

+

The Sunday Times

+

The Telegraph

+

Top Gear

+

Safety rating


Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: July 2019
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 96%
Child protection: 86%
Vulnerable road users: 64%
Safety assist: 76%

Note on safety rating

All DS 3 models sold in the UK qualify for a five-star Euro NCAP rating, although additional safety equipment is available at extra cost. In some other European markets, the DS 3 Crossback only has a four-star rating as standard due to lower levels of safety equipment.

Eco rating


Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

As of January 2025, the DS 3 has not been assessed by Green NCAP.

Reliability rating


Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

No reliability rating

As of January 2025, we don’t have enough reliability data on the DS 3 to generate a reliability rating.

The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy. As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the DS 3 Crossback, we’ll publish the score here.

Running cost rating


Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Fuel consumptionAverageScoreVariationScore
Petrol models57 mpgB57 – 57 mpgB – B
CO₂ outputAverageScoreVariationScore
Petrol models132 g/kmA112 – 143 g/kmA – B
Diesel models120 g/kmA120 – 123 g/kmA – A
Insurance groupAverageScoreVariationScore
All models27B14 – 50A – F
Service and maintenanceCostScore
Year 1£177A
Year 2£485A
Year 3£761A
Year 4£983A
Year 5£1,359A
Overall£3,765A

The DS 3 is a relatively affordable car to own and run, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.

Fuel consumption is good, but there are other cars in this price bracket that do better. The good news is that insurance and servicing costs should be very competitive.

Security rating


Independent vehicle theft and security ratings from Thatcham Research

Rating: Superior | Good | Basic | Poor | Unacceptable
Relay Attack: Fail

Date: 2019

The DS 3 automatically received a Poor rating from Thatcham Research because it failed a relay attack test, which measures the security of a car’s keyless entry and/or keyless start system. All DS 3 Crossback models (petrol, diesel and E-Tense electric versions) are susceptible to thieves intercepting the car’s keyless signal and using it to steal the car.

Similar cars


If you’re looking at the DS 3, you might also be interested in these alternatives

Audi Q2 | BMW X1 | BMW X2 | Citroën C3 Aircross | Fiat 500X | Ford Puma | Jeep Renegade | Mazda CX-3 | Mini Countryman | Nissan Juke | Peugeot 2008 | Renault Captur | SEAT Arona | Skoda Kamiq | Volkswagen T-Cross | Volkswagen T-Roc


More news, reviews and information about the DS range at The Car Expert

Electric DS No 8 coupé-SUV now on sale

Electric DS No 8 coupé-SUV now on sale

Plug-in hybrid cars – what’s on sale and what’s coming in 2025?

Plug-in hybrid cars – what’s on sale and what’s coming in 2025?

New DS No 8 coupe-SUV debuts

New DS No 8 coupe-SUV debuts

The 10 worst new cars on sale in 2024

The 10 worst new cars on sale in 2024

2024 half-year report – who’s up and who’s down?

2024 half-year report – who’s up and who’s down?

DS 4 hatchback gets engine and trim updates

DS 4 hatchback gets engine and trim updates

Plug-in hybrid cars – what’s on sale and what’s coming in 2024?

Plug-in hybrid cars – what’s on sale and what’s coming in 2024?

Electric cars – what’s on sale and what’s coming in 2024?

Electric cars – what’s on sale and what’s coming in 2024?

Who or what is Stellantis?

Who or what is Stellantis?

Who or what is DS Automobiles?

Who or what is DS Automobiles?

Plug-in hybrids – what’s on sale and what’s coming in 2023?

Plug-in hybrids – what’s on sale and what’s coming in 2023?

Electric cars – what’s on sale and what’s coming in 2023?

Electric cars – what’s on sale and what’s coming in 2023?

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The DS 3 Crossback has received average scores from the UK media, with an Expert Rating that places it in the midfield of the small crossover sector.DS 3