DS 3 E-Tense Review 2024

The DS 3 E-Tense version is not only a stylish small SUV but it’s also fully electric, with a 54kWh battery and up to 250 miles of driving range. Sadly it’s not as punchy as it once was and it’s not as competitively priced either.

The DS 3 E-Tense may not be the first name that springs to mind when considering an electric SUV but it has been updated for 2023 with a more powerful 54kWh battery that increases driving range to 250 miles.

Its unique looks make it stand out from its rivals, and it has an interior that is quirky and packed with technology. Sadly, it lacks the quality to define it as truly premium.

Then there’s the price, because even the entry-level DS 3 E-Tense is more expensive than most of its rivals and pricier than many electric cars with more space, bigger batteries and better resale values.

There’s lots to like about the DS 3 E-Tense, but with a soft ride, high price and space that seems in contrast to its position as a small SUV, it’s difficult to like it enough to unreservedly recommend it.

Here, the DS 3 E-Tense is a bit of a letdown. If you just want an electric commuter then it’ll do fine, but the handling and ride quality are disappointing.

The ride is soft and wallowy, the steering is light and vague and it feels unlike most other electric vehicles – which tend to have a slightly firm ride due to the weight of the batteries. If you are expecting a sporty drive to match the Mini Electric, the DS 3 E-Tense is not going to be for you.

It also doesn’t feel as sprightly as its rivals – or the DS 3 PureTech petrol versions for that matter, which is a bit odd.

If you just want something nippy and luxurious for running around town then it’ll probably do the job.

The DS 3 E-Tense is electric, with a 54kWh (50.8kWh usable) battery pack and a single electric motor on the front axle.

Power is 155PS with 260Nm of torque, all available instantaneously and pushed to the front wheels through a single-speed automatic transmission. Performance isn’t rapid, with a 0-62mph time of nine seconds and a top speed of 93mph.

It’s capable of driving up to 250 miles on a single charge, although the real-world figure will probably be closer to 200 miles. It can rapid-charge up to 100kW, which potentially means a charging time of 0-80 percent in about half an hour. Use a 7.5kW wallbox at home and it will charge to 100 percent from zero in around 7.5 hours.

There is an app to pre-warm the car, which will help to get the most from the batteries, especially in the winter. Despite its price tag, though, the entry-level Performance Line isn’t fitted with a heat pump.

Safety is high on the list for the DS 3 E-Tense, with a five-star rating from Euro NCAP that carries over from the pre-update version.

It has all the basics, such as airbags and Isofix child seat anchor points, plus lots of electronic systems. These include autonomous emergency braking, traction control, blind-spot detection and traffic sign recognition.

DS Drive Assist includes active cruise control to make motorway journeys less of a chore, as well as lane keeping assistance and cyclist and pedestrian detection.

Some versions have 360-degree cameras and DS Matrix LED Vision headlights are available as an option to provide even better night-time lighting without dazzling oncoming drivers.

The DS 3 E-Tense isn’t rated for towing.

Once you can figure out which shape does what, the layout is fairly easy to work with, and the DS 3 E-Tense has a good level of tech to complement its cool persona.

There’s lots of space up front, easy-to-use technology and the boot space is comparable to direct rivals. Quality is not what it should be, though, and the back seats are a bit cramped.

It might be described as a crossover, but the DS 3 E-Tense doesn’t have the practical characteristics of something like a Kia Niro EV or Peugeot e-2008.

Space up-front is good, but the back seats are a bit cramped. Visibility for those in the back is hindered by the rather odd fins behind the B-pillars and, at 350 litres, the boot space isn’t a match for similarly priced but larger rivals.

There is a decent amount of storage space though, with good-sized door pockets and a number of cupholders.

The quality and finish of the DS 3 E-Tense is a bit of a mixed bag. The dashboard materials all feel good, with a nice soft touch to them, but the seat upholstery seems poorly fitted, as though it will wrinkle over time.

The buttons in the centre of the dashboard might look cool and geometric, but on models we’ve driven they felt loose and poorly fitted, like a Rubik’s cube that has been well-loved. If you’re expecting a more premium finish compared to rivals, you might be disappointed.

As a modern crossover for urban trendsetters, the DS 3 E-Tense has all the cool tech. This includes a 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system on the top of the dashboard.

This is easy to use on the move, with the curved dash suitable for resting your hand on, so you don’t struggle to hit the right icon.

The menus are all straightforward and the rhombus buttons below the screen provide direct access to functions like music, telephone and vehicle settings. Some of the features can also be controlled via buttons on the steering wheel.

There’s wireless charging for your smartphone and it has both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, which are useful if you don’t want to pay extra for 3D navigation and voice recognition. There’s a digital instrumentation screen with various menu options as well, and some models have a head-up display.

DS is marketed as a premium brand and the DS 3 E-Tense definitely carries a premium price. It starts with the Performance Line at £37,200 – almost 10 grand more than the equivalent petrol model.

The price even puts it in the same league as EVs with bigger batteries such as the Cupra Born, Hyundai Kona Electric and Renault Megane E-Tech. Performance Line+ versions increase the price to £39,200.

Move up to the Rivoli and the price increases marginally to £39,700, correct at the time of writing. However, the range-topping Opera pushes the price over the forty-thousand barrier to £42,700.

It’s a tough sell: even the MINI Electric is much cheaper, although it has less than half the driving range of the DS 3 E-Tense. At this price point, there are lots of choices and it’s hard to see the DS 3 as the best one.

If you decide that the high purchase price is OK, or if you aren’t really going to notice it because you’ll be getting one on a PCP finance deal, then running costs should be good.

The DS 3 E-Tense is electric, so maintenance costs are lower than the petrol versions, and for now at least there is no VED (annual road tax) payable unless you go for the top of the range version, which exceeds the £40,000 threshold.

Being electric also means it can be very cheap to run if you charge at home. If you need to buy a new home charger, then DS has a deal with Pod Point and the device will cost you around £800 (unless DS has a special deal on).

Fit one and you’ll be looking at just a few pounds to fully charge your DS 3. Public charging is going to cost more, of course. If you’re new to EVs, then read our guide to charging here.

All DS 3 E-Tense models have lots of cool tech and equipment, starting off with the DS 3 E-Tense Performance Line. It comes with a sporty Alcantara interior, 17-inch alloy wheels, a 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, and a digital instrument cluster.

Plus, it can be connected to the My DS app, providing remote charging, range information and remote air conditioning. There’s also dual-zone climate control, front and rear parking sensors and keyless entry and start.

The DS 3 E-Tense Performance Line+ upgrades to 18-inch alloy wheels, has sporty aluminium pedals and keyless entry and start. It also features the DS Iris system with 3D connected navigation and voice recognition with a personal assistant.

The DS 3 E-Tense Rivoli then adds Basalt Black Mistral leather upholstery, sharp-looking Nice diamond-cut alloy wheels and chrome details on the badges.

At the top of the range sits the DS 3 E-Tense Opera, which gets all the equipment of the other models, plus electric, heated and massaging front seats, a head-up display, wireless smartphone charging, a reversing camera and front parking sensors.

It also has more safety tech courtesy of the Advance Safety Pack, which includes DS Drive Assist, advanced emergency braking, traffic sign recognition and blind-spot detection, all of which are available as optional extras on other models.