Name: DS 3 E-Tense | The Car Expert
Item: DS 3 E-Tense
Rating: 65.0

Summary

Formerly known as the DS 3 Crossback E-Tense, the DS 3 E-Tense is an electric version of the regular DS 3 crossover. It arrived in the UK in early 2020, joining the petrol and diesel versions that had been on sale for about a year already.

The E-Tense shares both its overall platform and electric powertrain with the Peugeot e-2008, Vauxhall Corsa Electric and other small vehicles in the Stellantis family.

In late 2021, an update was announced that improved the DS 3 Crossback’s driving range. A further mid-life update landed in early 2023, which dropped the ‘Crossback’ tag, introduced a few cosmetic tweaks and another battery upgrade.

The DS 3 Crossback E-Tense has been praised for its distinctive styling, both inside and out. It’s smoother and quieter than the petrol or diesel models, with a comfortable ride. However, it’s not as practical as other vehicles that use the same platform, like the Peugeot e-2008, and is a similar price as larger vehicles with better battery range from other brands, like the Kia Niro EV or Hyundai Kona Electric.

As of August 2025, the DS 3 E-Tense has a New Car Expert Rating of B, with a score of 65%. It scores top marks for its low running costs and for having zero tailpipe emissions. However, its safety rating and new car warranty coverage are only average, while its media review scores are very poor.

DS 3 E-Tense highlights

Lavish and refined interior
Leisurely driving experience
Stylish exterior
Intuitive infotainment
Rather agile for an SUV

DS 3 E-Tense lowlights

Rivals have more battery range
Poor rear visibility
Expensive compared to alternatives
Less cabin and storage space than others
Susceptible to thieves due to poor tech

Key specifications

Body style: Small SUV/crossover
Motor: electric, battery-powered
Price: From £36,995 on-road

Launched: Winter 2019/20
Last updated: Spring 2023
Replacement due: TBA

Image gallery

Media reviews

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

Featured reviews

“There are lots of things to like about the new DS 3. Its composed and well judged electric powertrain makes it easy and reassuring to drive, with a decent real-world range, while the interior flair is more interesting than many other EVs in its class. But put simply, there’s just no getting around the fact that it’s an expensive compact SUV.”

Model reviewed: Opera 115kW

Score: 6 / 10

Read full review

Auto Express

James Brodie

“The DS 3 E-Tense is a sharp-looking small EV with a decent range and front space, but the rear seats are cramped and it’s not the most refined to drive.”

Model reviewed: DS 3 E-Tense (facelifted model)

Score: 6 / 10

Read full review

Carwow

Jack Healy

More reviews

Car

Model reviewed: Facelift DS 3 range
Score: 6 / 10
“Compared with old this feels like a better product. And compared with the regular petrol model, it’s light years ahead in terms of noise and comfort. The DS 3 E-Tense won’t set the world alight but then most buyers will be more concerned with charging times than lap sectors. It’s interesting enough to make it on your shopping list if range and practicality aren’t top of your wants.” (Murray Scullion)
Read review

Score: 6 / 10
“Chic styling, bags of tech and a comfortable drive only mean so much when the DS 3 Crossback E-Tense’s range is down on its rivals.”
Read review

Carbuyer

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6.6 / 10
“The DS 3 Crossback E-Tense offers enough range for most people, but it’s far from the best electric car on sale”
Read review

Carwow

Model reviewed: DS 3 Crossback E-Tense (pre-facelift)
Score: 6 / 10
“The DS 3 Crossback E-Tense is a seriously stylish electric car with comfy suspension and a stunning interior but it’s let down by cramped back seats and limited electric range.”
Read review

Company Car Today

Model reviewed: Ultra Prestige
“Not quite as impressive as the Hyundai Kona Electric or Kia e-Niro for range, but the DS 3 Crossback E-Tense is very well-priced and whole-life costs look good thanks to a residual value of more than 40%.”
Read review

Discover EV

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“People are not brand loyal when it comes to EVs, so to that extent DS are on a good footing – and seeing as this is the first electric premium compact SUV on the market it has no direct rivals anyway. Better still, with the orders that DS has projected they don’t foresee any problems with battery supply – so that may entice those who are waiting for an e-Niro or Kona Electric.”
Read review

Driving Electric

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“The DS 3 Crossback E-Tense is a decent – if not quite class-leading – electric SUV that has refinement and unique styling on its side.”
Read review

Electrifying.com

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“An upmarket electric SUV would seem to be the type of car which everyone is after. But the DS 3 Crossback doesn’t do anything better than cheaper rivals, so you’ll be choosing it for the looks alone.”
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Fleetworld

Model reviewed: Performance Line
Score: 8 / 10
“The DS 3 Crossback E-Tense manages to appeal more than the petrol or diesel variants, but if you don’t need the range there are cheaper alternatives.”
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Green Car Guide

Score: 9 / 10
“The DS 3 Crossback E-Tense is an all-electric compact SUV with characterful design and a cosseting ride that is ideal for our poor quality urban road surfaces.”
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Honest John

“Cosmetically similar to the standard DS3 Crossback, the E-Tense features exclusive Pearl Crystal paint finish, satin-chrome finishes, E-Tense signature emblems and a special rear bumper (without an exhaust pipe).”
Read review

“The DS 3 Crossback E-Tense is more fashionable than the Hyundai Kona Electric and Kia e-Niro, while it really looks the part without shouting about its eco credentials. It can’t travel as far as the Hyundai, though, while it’s compromised compared to in-house rival, the Peugeot e-208 hatchback.”
Read review

Parkers

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“Elegant and chic in accomplished EV form.”
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The Sunday Times

Model reviewed: Opera (DS 3 facelift model)
Score: 6 / 10
“With alternatives offering more space, better material quality and longer range, the DS 3 E-Tense struggles to justify its lofty price tag.” (James Fossdyke)
Read review

Score: 8 / 10
“The white leather is exclusive to the E-Tense and DS says it’s likely to use the white leather steering wheel as a signifier for future pure-electric models, suggesting electric DS drivers will do well to carry with them some wet wipes, to keep it grime-free.”
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The Telegraph

“One particularly strong aspect of the performance is the highly refined performance of the regeneration and friction brakes which allow the DS 3 Crossback E-Tense to stop smoothly and progressively, unlike so many rivals which clatter to a halt, particularly from low speeds.”
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Top Gear

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“Not the EV we’d recommend, but if you like the way it looks and battery-power suits your lifestyle then by all means.”
Read review

Which EV?

Model reviewed:
Score: 7 / 10
“The DS 3 does have a quirky look, befitting the DS brand and heritage, but underneath that is the same Stellantis motor and battery found in so many of the group’s cars. It’s not a bad vehicle and it’s well-equipped at the premium trim levels, but these top trim levels are overpriced. We would suggest the Citroen e-C4 instead, which looks even nicer, has more space inside, and can provide similar features for less.” (James Morris)
Read review

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 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 August 2025, the DS 3 E-Tense has not been assessed by Green NCAP.

The Green NCAP programme measures exhaust pollution (which is zero for an electric car) and energy efficiency. Electric cars are much more energy-efficient than combustion cars, so the DS 3 E-Tense is likely to score very highly in Green NCAP testing if and when it ever takes place. Check back again soon.

Running cost rating

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

Battery range	Average	Score	Variation	Score
EV models	247 miles	B

Electrical efficiency	Average	Score	Variation	Score
EV models	4.3 m/KWh	B

Insurance group	Average	Score	Variation	Score
All models	32	C

Service and maintenance	Cost	Score
Year 1	£128	A
Year 2	£342	A
Year 3	£534	A
Year 4	£733	A
Year 5	£1,012	A
Overall	£2,749	A

The DS 3 E-Tense is a very 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.

Electrical efficiency (the EV equivalent of miles per gallon for a petrol or diesel car) is good, meaning that even the relatively small battery offers a decent amount of driving range.

Servicing and maintenance costs are also exemplary, with the five-year predictions showing a straight-A result. Insurance is the worst-performing cost here, and even that is merely average rather than being poor.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

No reliability rating

As of August 2025, we don’t have enough reliability data on the DS 3 range 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, we’ll publish the score here.

Warranty rating

New car warranty information for the DS 3 E-Tense

Overall ratingC56%
New car warranty duration3 years
New car warranty mileage60,000 miles
Battery warranty duration8 years
Battery warranty mileage100,000 miles

DS Automobiles’ new car warranty is pretty much the bare minimum offered in the UK, with a duration of three years and a limit of 60,000 miles. Other rivals in the price bracket do better (and in some cases, much better).

In addition to the standard new car warranty, there is an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty for the battery components.

Warranty on a used DS 3 E-Tense

If you are buying an ‘Approved Used’ DS3 or DS 3 Crossback from an official DS Automobiles dealership, you will get a minimum six months’ warranty included.
If you are buying a used DS3 or DS 3 Crossback from an independent dealership, any warranty offered will vary and will probably be managed by a third-party warranty company.
If you are buying a used DS3 or DS 3 Crossback from a private seller, there are no warranty protections beyond any remaining portion of the original new car warranty.

If you’re looking to buy a used car that is approaching the end of its warranty period, a used car warranty is usually a worthwhile investment. Check out The Car Expert’s guide to the best used car warranty providers, which will probably be cheaper than a warranty sold by a dealer.

Recalls

Official DVSA safety recalls that have been issued for the DS 3 E-Tense

Date: January 2022
Recall number: R/2022/013
Model types: All
Build dates: 05/2019 to 09/2020
Number of vehicles affected: 194
Defect: The open circuit detection system could be over-sensitive, causing a number of operational issues including sudden power loss.
Remedy: Download the latest software configuration, check some electronic units and replace them if necessary.

As of September 2024 (our most recent data point), there has been one DVSA vehicle safety recalls on the DS 3 Crossback E-Tense to address different issues. There have also been recalls on the broader DS 3 range, so check to see if your car is affected by any of those

Not all vehicles are affected by recalls. You can check to see if your car is included in any of the above recalls by visiting the DVLA website or contacting your local DS Automobiles dealer.

If your car is affected by a recall, the vehicle must be repaired and you should not be charged for any work required. If you are buying a used DS 3 or DS 3 Crossback, you should insist that any outstanding recall work is completed before you take delivery of the vehicle.