According to the publication, DS wants to create a more conventional crossover than the quirky DS3 Crossback to appeal to a wider audience. The new and yet-unnamed model is seen as a potential. The latest model from DS Automobiles, DS 3 CROSSBACK is a luxury compact SUV that combines refinement with advanced technology. With its striking interior and body design, DS 3 CROSSBACK stands out as modern, sophisticated and elegant. The original DS3 is now rather long in the tooth, and in any case, hatchbacks are being supplanted by compact crossovers like the Crossback. Aimed squarely at popular cars like the Audi A2 and VW T-Cross, the Crossback is similarly pumped up but modestly scaled.
The DS 3 Crossback turn heads and has an interior that’ll impress. However, plenty of alternatives are more intuitive to use, bigger inside and come with larger boots Is the DS DS 3 CROSSBACK a good car? The DS 3 Crossback is the ideal small SUV if you want your small, stylish family car to stand. The DS3 Crossback is big on style inside and out, but is there substance to match it? We find out if it's a match for the Audi Q2 and Mini Countryman, plus w.
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Introduction
What Car? says...
How do you remain relevant as a car maker in this day and age? Simple: you introduce either an SUV or an electric car. It could be a stroke of genius, then, that the DS 3 Crossback E-Tense is both of those things.
Intrigued by the name? Well, in French, the word ‘tense’ is associated with atmosphere, situation, time and silence; words that paint a picture of what the E-Tense is billed to be all about.
As with the regular fossil-fuelled DS 3 Crossback line-up, there are several trim levels to choose from, but only one electric motor and battery combination. Only the really observant will notice that the badge on the bonnet is different; the rest of the exterior is pretty much unchanged over the regular DS 3 Crossback.
As the French PSA group’s ‘premium’ brand, DS gets first dibs on most new technology and benefits from the combined electric car knowhow of Citroën and Peugeot. That’s just as well because the E-Tense finds itself up against some very capable rivals, including the Hyundai Kona Electric and a former What Car? Car of the Year, the Kia e-Niro. It’s fair to say, then, that DS has big ambitions for its first electric car.
So, has going electric made the E-Tense more recommendable than regular petrol and diesel versions of the DS 3 Crossback? Find out by reading our detailed review. And, when your mind is made up, head over to our New Car Buying pages to take the hassle out of buying your next set of wheels at a fair price.
At a glance
| Number of trims | 6see more |
|---|---|
| Number of engines | 5see more |
| Available fuel typesWhich fuel is best for you? | petrol, diesel, electric |
| MPG range across all versions | 44.8 - 62.8 |
| Avaliable doors options | 5 |
| Warranty | 3 years / 60000 miles |
| Company car tax at 20% (min/max) | £68 /£2,105 |
| Company car tax at 40% (min/max) | £136 /£4,209 |
How much is it?
| RRP price range | £22,960 - £38,600 |
|---|---|
| £22,079 - £37,465 | |
What Car? PCP range | £278 - £423 |
| Save up to £1,506 when you buy with What Car? | |
Our pick
BEST ELECTRIC
Ds Ds-3 100kW E-TENSE Performance Line 50kWh 5dr Auto
Read full version reviewWhat Car? Target Price: 33,391
RRP £34,400Save at least £1,009
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2020 DS3 Crossback will be marketed at the end of April. Will she succeed in shading her German competitors Audi Q2 and Mini Countryman?
Since the rebirth of the DS brand in 2009 and the presentation of the DS3, the launch of the DS3 Crossback is a strategic moment for the French manufacturer because this novelty must represent the “cash machine” of the brand, a little in the manner of the DS3 which has been a commercial carton. The challenge is raised but to succeed, DS invests the most buoyant segment of the moment: that of urban crossovers, but beware not general but premium. A sub-category much less developed because composed only of the Audi Q2, or even the limit of the Mini Countryman.
2020 DS3 Crossback Exterior
By adopting the Crossback name, like its big sister, the DS7, the second generation of DS3 abandons the world of city cars to become a crossover. This change of universe is accompanied by a radical transformation in its design. Thus, the DS3 Crossback is only available in 5 doors and measures 4, 12 m (+ 16 cm) while his grandmother was content with 3 doors.
Bigger, the 2020 DS3 Crossback has nothing to do with the DS3. And if indeed, we find the shark fin at the level of the central amount, it is their only point of resemblance. Everything is different, in particular, the much more massive face with a prominent grille surrounded by projectors that can adopt Matrix LED technology and having a unique light signature with wave-shaped daytime running lights. In profile, designers have focused on the fluidity of the lines.
As a result, the apparent door handles disappeared to become flush like on Tesla models or some Jaguars. Small peculiarity all the same, they unfold or fold when approaching or away from the driver. For the same purpose, the door seals are now hidden. The rear may seem out of sync with the front as it focuses on horizontality including a banner struck Crossback logo that joins the two lights. The exhaust outlets, one or two depending on the engine, can be integrated into the bumper.
Interior
If the outside is not unanimous, it is a certainty, the interior is more consensus. As we had already seen on the DS7 Crossback, the DS does nothing like the others. This is still the case here.
The DS3 Crossback and offers a series of 100% digital instrumentation but it is relatively compact, much more in all cases than those to which we are accustomed. It is relayed by a head-up display that is performed by means of a retractable blade. Too bad it is not a projection on the windshield but it was necessary to make choices in terms of cost. The dashboard also receives its share of originality within its center many lozenges that host either aerators or some radio controls or air conditioning. They are overhung by a multimedia touch screen that can reach 10.3 inches. We also notice the aerators now located on the storm doors.
The DS3 retains some similarities with other models of the brand such as the treatment of the central console that receives the power windows buttons. Even if it is done to free space in the door, we knew better in terms of use. And precisely the ergonomics perfectible and too complex is the main fault of this 2020 DS3 Crossback. So, why did you put the start button at the bottom of the center console? The position of the opening handle is not natural and we tend to catch the storage bin .. And the list is still long.
The practicality is also not the major advantage of the DS3 Crossback which offers a trunk of only 350 liters while a Q2 offers 50 liters more. Rear roominess is correct but passengers may feel a sense of confinement due to reduced glass area.
Nothing wrong with the choice of materials. On high finishes, you will be entitled to leather (Nappa or even patina) on the dashboard or seats with a watchband pattern or Alcantara. The DS3 benefits from some refinements specific to the manufacturer, such as the pearl point that replaces traditional stitching or guilloche, a particular way of working aluminum. What to make the atmosphere on board this DS3 Crossback different. It should be noted, however, the presence of some hard plastics on the storm doors and the bottom of the dashboard.
2020 DS3 Crossback Performance
If all the stylistic aspects (interior and exterior) of the 2020 DS3 Crossback are unique, it is not the same engines that are taken from other models of the PSA group and therefore well known.
In essence, carburation which should represent the majority of the sales, one will find the Puretech 100 (manual transmission), 130 and 155 (automatic transmission for both). In the diesel, customers will have the choice between the BlueHDi 100 hp ((manual transmission) or the BlueHDI 130 hp (automatic transmission). For the real novelty, it will be necessary to wait to discover the DS3 Crossback E-Tense, namely version 100 % electric Designed on the e-CMP platform (the same as that of the e-208), it will be able to travel up to 300 km according to the WLTP standard with its 50 kWh battery.
No electric for this first version, but the most powerful petrol version, the Puretech 155 hp coupled exclusively to the automatic 8-speed gearbox. It is a new engine since it inherits a particulate filter and gains an additional 10 Nm, which allows it to benefit from 240 Nm of torque.
Acceleration & Fuel Economy of 2020 DS3 Crossback
Like all three cylinders, this engine shows a great liveliness and a certain tone, as evidenced by the 0 to 100 km/h shot in 8.2 seconds. This is accompanied by a typical sound of this type of architecture, which is amplified when we adopt the sport mode. Although its marriage with the automatic transmission is generally convincing, it has nevertheless demonstrated certain limits, especially in the mountains where the transmission has shown less responsiveness and fluidity, hence the presence of some jolts. Attention to consumption, on our test, we found an average of around 9, 5 l/100 km.
Equipped with original 18-inch wheels, our test model has shown a good compromise comfort/dynamism. While there is some air and rolling noise, the atmosphere on board is serene. The comfort is of good level despite the diameter of the rims. The cash movements are well contained and roll virtually nonexistent, even if the seats would have deserved better support. Anyway, this approval is not at the expense of driving pleasure thanks to a precise and consistent direction, something to delight all occupants of this DS3 Crossback.
Full Equipment
The range of 2020 DS3 Crossback logically takes the same names as the rest of the other models of the brand, but it remains relatively complex.
The entry-level “Chic” (from $26603) is richly provided. It comes standard with 6 airbags, unintentional lane departure warning, automatic headlamp ignition, manual air conditioning, digital instrumentation, tire pressure monitoring, 5 inch touch screen multimedia display, brake automatic parking, emergency braking up to 85 km/h, hands-free starting, 4 electric windows, tinted and acoustic windshield, recognition of traffic signs, electric mirrors, cruise control and DS Montmartre inspiration (upholstery and upholstery fabric, matte black details).
From there, the range is split in two with a luxury-oriented part (So Chic and Grand Chic) and another one focused on the sport (Performance Line and Performance Line +).
The first includes the “So Chic” level (price star from $30678). It features rear parking assist, automatic climate control, 17-inch alloy wheels, frameless rearview mirror, high-speed rear windows, 7-inch touchscreen with 8 speakers, Mirror Screen function and DS Bastille inspiration (upholstery and upholstery fabric, satin details).
Then there is the finish “Grand Chic” (price start from $37131). It consists of automatic door handles, head-up display, front and rear park assist with rearview camera, wireless charging, Matrix LED headlamps, navigation, remote control 10.3-inch multimedia display, 18-inch wheels, safety pack (emergency braking up to 140 km / h, blind-spot monitoring, and assistance in keeping track) and choice of inspiration DS Bastille with black grained leather or DS Rivoli inspiration (gray nappa leather upholstery, door panel trim and TEP dashboard).
Ds3 Crossover Fanfiction
On the other side, the “Performance Line” (from 30904) uses the same equipment as the “So Chic” finish, but with a few different presentation details such as fabric door trim and fabric dashboard. and Alcantara or aluminum pedals.
Finally, the “Performance Line +” level (from $34640) is based on the previous finish by taking over the “Grand Chic” version with the distinctive 18-inch wheels as a distinguishing feature.
Ds3 Cross Region
The high-end is represented by the series called “La Première” (from $44,149). It will be available only with the two most powerful gasoline engines, namely the Puretech 130 and 155 hp, but also in electric. It is characterized in particular by Nappa Art Rubis leather decorations on the dashboard and the door panels, the leather seats in the shape of a wristwatch with Point Perle stitching. It is also the only one to own the Extended Security and DS Drive Assist package including automatic emergency braking up to 140 km / h, active lane departure warning, active blind spot monitoring, reconnaissance panels, automatic switching of the main beam and adaptive cruise control with help in keeping in the lane.