Since 2010 the Citroen DS3 has enjoyed good sales in the UK. It came at a time when the supermini market was stale, where the only flamboyance to be seen was a white Ford Fiesta. Four years on, and the Citroen DS3 is still enjoying solid sales, although it is due an update very soon, as this car’s main competitor the BMW Mini has recently been updated for 2014.
With that in mind, I recommend looking for a used Citroen (click here), and not a new one. It’s only a matter of time before the new DS3 comes out, at which point new models of this generation will depreciate badly.
Still, if you are buying used from Bristol Street Motors, the Citroen DS3 is no car to turn your nose up at.
This car certainly looks better than a Ford Fiesta and Volkswagen Polo – each version has alloy wheels as standard and a playful, well put together interior. The range kicks off with the 1.2 VTi DSign with an on-the-road price of £12,495 new, and ends with the 1.6 e-HDI A’dream Ultra with an on-the-road price of £21,650. As you can see, there’s a DS3 for everyone.
The best version is the Hatchback 1.6e-HDi 90 A’dream DStyle 91g 3dr, which has stunning economy figures, which are a 91 g /km CO2 rating and the potential to return 78.5 miles per gallon on a combined cycle.
It’s good to drive too is the DS3. It feels very playful and agile around town yet refined and grown up at speed. It can feel unsettled on uneven surfaces and the suspension can send a jolt or two up your spine if you hit a pothole, but that’s the price you pay for excellent handling and grip. On the limit, all versions of the DS3 are great fun to drive and from the driver’s seat, the stylish and playful interior brings a smile to the face.
Still, there’s no getting away from the fact that this car is not as sharp to drive as a Ford Fiesta nor as high quality as a VW Polo. What it does offer, though, is a good combination of the two, with better quality than the Ford and better driving than the premium Volkswagen Polo.
So, is the Citroen DS3 the world’s best supermini?
No, it isn’t. It isn’t as fun to drive as a Ford Fiesta and it lacks the quality of a Volkswagen Polo. What it is better than all other super mini’s at though is style – I can’t think of a more stylish super mini on the market right now. In fact, the only car that comes close is the Fiat 500, but that’s in a different class.
So, if you are looking for the world’s most stylish super mini, the Citroen DS3 is it. You might also like to check out the latest range of BMW Mini’s, though, as the updated version is really rather good.
