DS 3 274
DS 3 117
DS 3 290
DS 3 293
DS 3 003
John Mahoney17 Mar 2016
REVIEW

DS 3 2016 Review

French hatch goes under the knife again, gets interior upgrades, new engine option, plus the automatic transmission we’ve been crying out for

DS 3 Hatchback PureTech 130
International Launch Review
London, UK

Cosmetic surgery is addictive stuff but that doesn’t explain why, less than twelve months on from the last mid-life tweak, the DS 3 has gone under the knife again. What does justify the facelift is the DS 3 is no longer a Citroen but part of the premium ‘DS’ brand. Hence the new look and badges. Now, in the twilight of its life, the tweaks have also introduced an updated infotainment system, an efficient new engine and the six-speed automatic Australian buyers demand – but is it all enough to stop you buying a MINI or Fiat?

As facelifts go, the new changes are pretty effective. Despite all the sheet metal carrying over unchanged, the new grille, front and rear bumper, plus new wheel designs and a pair of revised LED headlamps all contribute to freshening up a car that first went on sale back in 2010 in Europe.

It took three years before the French hatch made it here to Australia in 2013 but since then, the MINI and Fiat 500-rival has been updated not once, but twice.

The most recent 2015 tweaks saw the DS 3 streamlined into a one-trim, two-engine range that, strangely, considering it’s squarely aimed at stylish urbanites, saw the option of an automatic transmission dropped.

The good news is, for the 2016 updates there’s a new 96kW/230Nm version of the 1.2-litre three-cylinder PureTech and the auto returns in the shape of an Aisin-sourced six-speed automatic that’s combined with a lower-powered 81kW version of the 1.2-litre turbo that’s available in Europe.

Not yet confirmed for the Australian market, it would be crazy not to import it as the new engine can average just 4.6 litres/100km.

Other big changes for the DS hatch is the incredible amount of choice, with 78 body and roof colour combinations, ten decal options and numerous other ways to personalise your car there’s a mind-numbing three million possible outcomes for your DS 3.

Inside, the creative spree continues with differing bright-coloured fabrics to wrap your dash and new seat upholsteries like ‘watch strap’ leather – a high-quality hide normally used for wrist watches.

DS has also updated the seven-inch infotainment system that’s claimed to delete 20 buttons from the old car’s cluttered dash. It also now incorporates Apple CarPlay and the Android Mirrorlink. Thankfully, unlike the infuriating Citroen Cactus, there’s still individual controls for the climate control so you don’t have to scroll through menus to tweak the temp.

Down the track, DS will introduce a replacement for the hot DS 3 Racing. Called the DS 3 Performance, the fastest DS hatch will come with a 154kW/300Nm turbocharged 1.6-litre that comes with its own suspension tune and limited-slip differential borrowed from the 208 GTI 30 Edition.

Sadly, we didn’t get the chance to try the fastest version since it arrives later on this year. Instead we drove the 120kW/240Nm 1.6-litre turbo that’s currently the only option Down Under and the new 96kW 1.2-litre PureTech.

Just to recap, the DS 3 is based on the old Citroen C3 that’s no longer sold here which means it lacks the more sophisticated multi-link rear suspension its rival, the MINI, offers but still manages to be entertaining and well-balanced on your favourite country road – as long as you can live with the ride, that is.

The overly firm set-up we complained about last year in the DS 3 Cabrio carries over with spring and dampers unchanged for the facelift. Combine that with the not-especially-big 17-inch wheels and the ride rarely settles.

Also an issue is comfort behind the wheel. It’s difficult to find an acceptable driving position. You sit too high, even with the seat set on its lowest position. It’s also difficult to adjust the steering wheel into the optimum place but, that said, the end result is better than the horrible driving position a Fiat 500 offers.

Helping claw back some points is the fine turbocharged 1.6 that’s as sweet as ever, smoothly spinning enthusiastically to its red line. It offers all the performance you could ever need, hitting 100km/h in just 7.5 seconds – but it’s far from perfect.

Our car was surprisingly jerky to drive. Its throttle response is too sharp, while the brakes feel over-boosted.

A better bet is the less powerful 96kW 1.2 turbo.

Not only does it sound better, with a cheeky three-cylinder throb, it offers just enough punch for overtakes, hits 100km/h in 8.9 seconds and is more efficient and is easier to drive.

We also tried the 74kW 1.6-litre diesel that’s unlikely ever to make it here. Shame, because it was a pleasing match for the DS 3’s relaxed nature offering plenty of performance low down in the range but we’d still pick the smaller 1.2-litre.

The new six-speed automatic-equipped DS 3s, meanwhile, weren’t ready for our drive, but from previous experience with the less powerful, but still torquey 1.2 turbo, the automatic should prove a decent and efficient match.

Well-equipped too, since the Citroen and DS importer has already declared “base spec DS 3s don’t work in Australia” all models should come with new LED/Xenon headlamps (that use 67 per cent less energy), cruise control, climate control with perfume dispenser, sat nav, auto wipers and headlights, heated and electrically-folding wing mirrors and 17-inch alloy wheels with tyre pressure monitoring.

There’s also the valuable addition of the autonomous emergency braking that applies the brakes automatically up to speeds of 30km/h if you haven’t spotted a stationary vehicle.

Buy a DS 3 and you can also enjoy the French hatch with relative peace of mind thanks to its six-year/unlimited kilometre warranty including roadside assistance and capped-price servicing.

Pricing’s still to be confirmed for the facelifted model, but in Europe there’s been a price increase of around $1000, so expect a similar bump on the models we get.

This means the little DS 3 will be priced closer, on paper at least, to the MINI which ultimately beats the DS with the quality of both its interior and drive.

In reality, option your Cooper hatch to match the DS 3’s spec and you’ll end up paying thousands more, so it leaves just the Fiat 500.

The small Italian hatch remains a flawed, but worthy adversary, especially with its low purchase price, but the DS beats it.

It’s simply a better all-rounder, and is more enjoyable to drive and live with.

2016 DS 3 PureTech 130 pricing and specifications:
Price: TBA
Engine: 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 96kW/230Nm
Transmission: Six-speed manual
Fuel: 4.5L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 105g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP

Also Consider:
>> MINI Cooper Hatch (from $27,750)
>> Alfa Mito QV (from $32,000)
>> Ford Fiesta ST (from $25,990)

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Our team of independent expert car reviewers and journalistsMeet the team
Expert rating
67/100
Engine, Drivetrain & Chassis
15/20
Price, Packaging & Practicality
9/20
Safety & Technology
14/20
Behind The Wheel
14/20
X-Factor
15/20
Pros
  • Classy-looking cabin
  • Efficient three-cylinder turbo
  • Standard autonomous braking
Cons
  • Ride still stiff
  • Driving position compromised
  • Prices expected to increase
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