Name: DS 3 E-Tense | The Car Expert
Item: DS 3 E-Tense
Rating: 66

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 January 2024, the DS 3 E-Tense has a New Car Expert Rating of B, with a score of 66%. It scores top marks for its low running costs and for having zero tailpipe emissions. However, its safety rating is only average and its media reviews are poor. We also don’t yet have reliability data, so check back again soon.

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 £37,200 on-road

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

Image gallery

Media reviews

Reviews, road tests and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Auto Express+

Model reviewed: Opera 115kW
Score: 6 / 10
“In a cheaper trim level, the revised DS 3 E-Tense might earn an extra half-star. But as tested it’s impossible to justify such a high price on a small SUV that is admittedly competitive in some areas, but class-leading in none. As a pure-electric urban runaround, the DS 3 is quiet, comfortable and even quite luxurious, but its quirky personality and compromised packaging mean rivals represent better value for money.” (Richard Ingram)
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Model reviewed: Ultra Prestige
Score: 6 / 10
“Fundamentally a good car, this DS 3 Crossback E-Tense is let down by its mediocre kit list and high price. The equally luxurious Peugeot e-2008 is thousands of pounds cheaper, which renders this Ultra Prestige model a frivolity in what is becoming a mainstream part of the market.”
Read review

Autocar+

Model reviewed: Opera
Score: 7 / 10
“The DS 3 E-Tense is definitely a car that will attract more people through the way it looks than through the way it drives. The facelifted DS 3 is only truly let down by what it already suffered from: sub-par rear space and a sporadically jerky ride.” (Will Rimell)
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Score: 8 / 10
“First and most luxurious of the PSA Group’s upcoming quartet of electric superminis shows they’ll be major players in an exciting emerging sector.”
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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)
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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”
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Carwow+

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.”
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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%.”
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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.”
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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.”
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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).”
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“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.”
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Move Electric+

Model reviewed:
Score: 6 / 10
“If you were considering a petrol or diesel DS 3 but could be swayed by an EV, then the DS 3 Crossback E-Tense is the car for you. It has the same bold style and luxury feel, but is more refined, comfortable and easier to drive. Even so, with so many talented small electric cars out there now, this quirky machine is one you’ll buy with your heart rather than your head.” (James Disdale)
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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)
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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.”
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What Car?+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“Going electric has fixed some of the weak points of the DS 3 Crossback – but not all of them. It’s quieter, for example, and a little less fractious along bumpy roads. Objectively, though, rivals such as the Kia e-Niro have a longer range, are better to drive and are much more practical.”
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 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 2024, the DS 3 E-Tense has not been lab tested 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.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

No reliability rating

As of January 2024, 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.

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	246 – 249 miles	B – B

Electrical efficiency	Average	Score	Variation	Score
EV models	4.5 m/KWh	A	4.1 – 5.3 m/KWh	A – C

Insurance group	Average	Score	Variation	Score
All models	33	C	21 – 50	A – F

Service and maintenance	Cost	Score
Year 1	£123	A
Year 2	£327	A
Year 3	£508	A
Year 4	£694	A
Year 5	£949	A
Overall	£2,601	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 excellent, meaning that even th erelatively 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.

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 Crossback 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.