2015 Citroen DS3 DSport Review – Style, Fun, But Manual Only
What’s Hot: Still grabs attention, perky engine and a 'fun fling' on the right road.
What’s Not: Interior practicality falls short, starting to feel a little old.
X-FACTOR: All the charm of a MINI without the retro baggage.
Vehicle Style: Premium Light Hatch
Price: $33,990 (plus on-roads)
Engine/trans: 121kW/240Nm 4cyl turbo petrol | 6spd manual
Fuel Economy claimed: 7.1 l/100km | tested: 9.3 l/100km
OVERVIEW
There’s a clear and distinct difference between style and fashion. One is timeless, elegant, and graceful - the other is Nicki Minaj wearing something almost invisible at the VMAs.
History will remember the original DS as an automotive style icon, but will the DS range of the 21st century be remembered so fondly?
When being seen with the right lifestyle accessories can do wonders for your social status, is dangling the key to a new DS3 from your Chanel keyring the right thing to do?
The updated DS3 arrived in Australia earlier this year with relatively few changes. New head and tail-lights (rich in detailed LED arrays) and new diamond-cut alloy wheels make up the biggest changes.
The range has been pared back to a single model, with only a manual transmission, but the nine exterior shades, four contrasting roof tones (a total of 29 different combinations all up) and three interior schemes remain. The individual touch still rests with you.
We spent a week with the ‘anti-retro’ DS3 to investigate if the charming French hatchback’s beauty was more than just skin-deep.
THE INTERIOR | RATING: 3/5
Quality: There are hits and misses inside the DS3. The design is pleasant, but falls a little short of some premium rivals.
The seat trim looks and feels top notch, and the huge glossy dash face is well-itted with tight gaps.
Unfortunately there were a few errant rattles, and the sole cupholder is made out of a flimsy plastic that didn't really hold cups (or bottles, or cans) very well.
Will the interior pass the test of time? Most likely, yes - but sadly the DS3 is too closely related to the more utilitarian and now discontinued Citroen C3 it is based upon.
If Citroen wants the DS line to play premium, it is going to need to step up its efforts here.