DS 3 Crossback E-Tense Ultra Prestige 2020 UK review
There is not enough rational advantage to match alternative styles and justify prices, but there is still room for this in the electric car market
What is it?
While sister brands Peugeot and Vauxhall are aiming for smaller and cheaper electric supermini by introducing their first battery-powered models, DS Automobiles has relied on a compact crossover hatchback with its debutant EV. And, since it can also be considered a “stylish” or “designer” car, the new DS 3 Crossback E-Tense makes a surprisingly close competitor for cars with which it will inevitably be compared - Kia Soul EV and Hyundai Kona Electric.
However, success in this niche will be higher (sorry for the terrible pun). Both Kia and Hyundai are available with larger batteries and better electric range, and for the same money as our DS top-level test car. Both Koreans accelerate faster and more powerful than the DS (provided that you drop the price from a cheaper version of Hyundai at a lower cost). And both offer better cab practicality. There is also a pseudo-internal competitor for this car in the form of the Peugeot e-2008, which has the same electric transmission and battery, but is noticeably cheaper and, at least according to our early tests, is also more practical.
All this does not seem to be the most favorable preliminary assessment, is it? DS Automobiles will argue that the practical qualities that we have already mentioned will not be so important for its clientele, which at least equally fusses in luxurious surroundings and stylish designs. And it's not as if this E-Tense was letting the electric side down with its 134-horsepower electric motor, claimed range of about 200 miles or acceleration of less than 9.0 from 0-62 mph - although it doesn't seem to break much. land too.
What's it like?
Curiously cramped DS rear seats can disappoint if you have growing children or young people to carry. I heard that people who choose small crossovers instead of hatchbacks usually do not use the rear seats. The boot volume is apparently much more important - and the 3 Crossback does an excellent job with a 350-liter boot with a variable-height floor. Nevertheless, when you can have a much more spacious four-seater in the same class and for the same money, this is hardly profitable.
The DS cabin has a rather material atmosphere. The spotted hide from artificial black basalt of our Ultra Prestige test machine looked pretty enough, albeit a bit like regular leather that needed to be treated with a damp cloth. As with this car, it is different; and if you like it, you like it.
The car also does not need automotive technology, provided that you can get its layout and ease of use. I must admit that I fought. 3 Crossback comes with a set of pretty chichi stylized switches on the center console for power windows, parking brake, child locks and driving modes. The problem is that they all look very similar and do not have such a clear label, so you will not always find the one you need on the first try. The infotainment console looks equally far-fetched and overly stylized, and even digital tools see little room for design prosperity to prevail over clarity and readability.
The car, at least, is quite easy to drive and generally pleasant. Performance seems reputable, and although it’s not quite in the league of some affordable electric vehicles, it remains strong enough to give the car a useful turn on the motorway and when overtaking on A-class roads.
You can select several driving modes (Sport provides the best response to the accelerator pedal), but only two modes of energy recovery on the back gas - “D” and “B”. Other EVs allow you to switch regeneration modes more broadly and smartly; and if the DS gives you more freedom in this regard, this could lead to a 50 kWh battery going a little further. As such, the electrical range is respectable, but not outstanding. Even on expressways, you rarely get less than 150 miles on a charge; and if you stay in the city and slow down when you are outside of urban areas, 180-190 seems possible.
The specific tuning of the 3 Crossback chassis was clearly an attempt to provide flexible comfort with a minimal compromise in body control and control accuracy. On the roads of the UK this is not the biggest success. Although it is obvious that stiff anti-roll bars prevent the vehicle from rolling when cornering and maintain reasonable control accuracy, this high lateral stiffness makes poor body control impossible even on slightly uneven roads, which is allowed by this slightly long, slightly damped suspension. The ride also tends to knock on bumps in the middle angle and is quite noisy on rough surfaces.
Should I buy one?
The DS-3 Crossback E-Tense is actually not the most practical little electric car, nor is it a car that smart shoppers will want, naturally. While car prices start at £ 5,000 lower than our test car, DS is unlikely to appeal for valuable reasons, given how its manufacturer is positioning itself; and even for £ 31,000 after your gift from HM Treasury it is not.
Based on this, this is a car that is somewhat painted in a corner; but this does not mean that it is completely without appeal. Although it can function better like a small luxury car, it drives well enough and has practicality and ease of use to satisfy many less demanding supermini and wider premium hatchback envelopes.
There are more genuinely innovative cars in the growing EV market and, in my book at least, there are also more striking and alternative-looking ones. As we’ve covered, there are also simply better cars to choose from. But if you simply like the cut of the 3 Crossback E-Tense's jib, and aren’t too worried about dealing with the particular restrictions of electric car ownership, you needn't check the urge to splurge here. The EV market is a growing one, and there's plenty of room for a bit of richness and variety within it yet.
DS 3 Crossback E-Tense Ultra Prestige specification
Where Gaydon, UK Price £35,990 (after government grant) On sale NowEngine Permanent magnet synchronous electric motor
Power 134bhp
Torque 192lb ft
Gearbox Single-speed automatic
Kerb weight 1523kg
Top speed 93mph 0-62mph 8.7sec
Range 191-206 miles (WLTP) CO2 na
Rivals Kia Soul EV, Peugeot e-2008
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