2021 DS3 Crossback review - plus fully electric version driven | What Car? 

Is this the best looking premium small SUV? Which do you think looks best: the DS 3 Crossback, Audi Q2 or Mini Countryman

I love the fact that the French make something different. The electric version has loads of orders in Norway.

This cars interior looks way nicer than the boreing Q2.....

People are so irritating. They all cry about how everything looks the same yet when someone brings out something that deliberately looks different, it's magically the ugliest thing in the world. Make 👏🏼 up 👏🏼 your 👏🏼 minds!

Interior is way better quality compared to Q2 and Mini !

Why do road testers not understand the whole scratchy plastic thing lower down on the door cards? They are low down & quite often get kicked & scuffed by dirty shoes, therefore you need something hard-wearing. If they were made from soft touch materials they'd get scuffed once & that damage would remain.

"Glove-box is enormous." Wait until you test the RHD version and you'll be saying "Glove-box is minuscule." because PSA never moves the fuse-box for RHD vehicles.

Great review Doug. A striking new car for DS. Looks really classy.

DS4 and DS5 were not disappointing cars. The were and still are very handsome, very exclusive and affordable. I own a fantastic DS4 ! I thing the new DS lineup is very expensive for what it offers and what it is underneath (rebadged luxurious Peugeots)...

‘Previous DS products have been disappointing’ haha! Are you joking? I own a DS3 and I’ve driven a DS4 & DS5 before. And I really enjoyed my experience and I still do. Different tastes I guess...

Style aside, the interior is better made and better materials are often used than in Mini and Q2. Hard plastics on the bottom of the door? Who would like soft materials where we so often kick this area with our not so clean shoes? Btw, compare door panel of DS3 And Audi Q5 for instance. Where are better materials are used? Still some kind of biased and cliché opinions. Am I wrong?

Beautiful car. Peasants will not like it but still its gorgeous!

I really like the DS3, it does the job of luxury car made smaller very well. I think it's well priced as well. Get the petrol though, the Electric is the same price as a VW ID3, but the range isn't as high.

The PSA Pure Tech in the DS has been elected Engine of the Year 3 years in a row.

9:15 is it though or are you saying that because it doesn't have an Audi badge? Last time I checked it cost less than the jacked-up VW Polo... excuse me Audi Q2. I just configured one and it came out more expensive than the DS3 and that's before ading stuff like the MMI nav, park assist, LUMBAR SUPPORT, electric-folding mirrors, automatic climate control, digital dials, decent audio system, adaptive cruise control, reversing camera or a head-up display.

Great Review 👍🏻 Do you remember if the electric version had electrical frontseats? I heard rumors that it has only manual seats, because all the space is needed for the battery.

I got mine brand new (4miles on the clock) on 24month lease it came on the 27th and love it so far...I was so so about how it looked from videos bit it looks great in-person so does the interior and dash, materials all excellent other than the very lower door but most are like this on the lower sections where the door bin it Drives great, screens are fantastic, I got a manual as mine was a stock car and automatics are always more expensive for some reason I have 1 issue...well it's not major but it's something that bugged me at the start....the space on the left of the clutch where you rest you're foot...it's a bit small width wide from the side to the pedal the gap needed to be bigger as I have to turn my foot a bit to not hit the side of the pedal. Other than that everything is fantastic....I am coming from a 2007 2.2 honda civic though so I've not drove any other newer cars. I got a lockdown lease bargain though with all dealers trying too get rid of their stock cars when lockdown happened as they were all worried about losing money etc I got the prestige model on a 24month lease, 8k mileage allowence a year for £130 a month haha total bargain...now the lockdown has lifted the same car is over £100 more expensive a month now I won't even use the 8k allowance either, my old car I had since 2016 and only put 12k miles on it. No tax to pay, I won't need to do a MOT either while I have the car...petrol so I'm also saving on fuel as diesel is more expensive and goes down alot quicker with smaller journeys than petrol cars. I say these cars are like mini's you either like them or you don't. Also some people don't like the touch buttons on the dash...I've zero issues with them or pressing them, what makes me laugh is in reviews for the car on RU-vid the reviewer bangs their fingers purposely in a way you wouldn't to make their opinion get across that they don't like them haha You just press them and they work....also you can just use voice command for everything if you wanted anyway which reviewers don't tell you because ....again they want to make people aware they do not like the buttons lol I'm a honest person and not someone who has something and claims them to be the best ever and make out there are no faults even though there are some. The car is pretty good with so far that 1 fault I stated The sat Nav is fantastic as well litterally don't need Google maps or to plug in you're phone to use Google maps...I'm sure some reviewers are paid to mention using Google maps and not inbuilt satnavs on most car reviews This satnav is as good as Google maps it shows litterally everything you need, voice control is presise too, and the 3 years free satnav extras are good too...it's TomTom....so it's a fantastic satnav

Wow!! Personally I Think The New DS3 L👀is Absolutely Gorgeous!! Such A Refreshing Change From The Norm!! If The Reliability Is Good,Then Your Looking At A Real Winner Here!! Far Better Looking Than Any Citroen Model Especially Their C5 Aircross SUV!!

That interior is gorgeous....well done 👏👏👏👍 👍

That color is just outstanding !

Need to see the DS8 next year, the real DS sedan😉!

wow the non physical buttons and the shark fin thing really kill it. the all the diamonds didn't help either

Good review. Pleasure to watch.

I was enjoying that music at the start!

I think this is great because it ISN'T like other vehicles on the road, more mfgs need to take a page from Citreon here🇺🇸

I love the diamond theme but omg the misalignment of the touch buttons and ventilation at 2:43 would drive me mental.

There was also the DS4 Crossback under the DS brand!

Not my cup of tea but I like that it's different and the interior looks solid.

Frankly, it's hard for me to imagine somebody who wants an Audi Q2 even considering a DS3. Similarly, I can't see someone who fancies DS3 looking the way of Q2. They are like wine and beer, like Serge Gainsbourg and Herbert Grönemeyer, or like J.P. Gaultier and Hugo Boss.

Does anyone know what that introduction sound/music was? That nearly made my ears came

6:15 yes all those twisty uk mountain roads well be driving on... how relevant 😄

Looks stunning

The price of this is eye watering! Is it that premium though? Or will it be that premium after a few years use? Since the change to DS they seem to sell very few in UK.

The e-tense. I want it

The DS4 is/was a very good car especially in 200bhp petrol form and a lot nicer than a Mini Countryman which has the same engine.

O man, just love this different car !

They would do better to go into the diamond and aircraft inspired design with buttons or switches with a click and vs the touch buttons and making everything very tactile

That thing must be really challenging to drive, i recommend using a ember before taking a drive.

love this car, so differente !

I'm looking forward to that.

I would do something odd. Since they are from the same group, why not stick a Maserati badge to it? It should sell much more

Both the car and the review is underrated

I kind of like it but I also kind of think it's trying a bit too hard, the DS 7 I love and I understand as well that a smaller SUV fares well to be more out there.

Wait, there`s an petrol version of this? In Norway they are only going to sell the Electric version..

Your review seemed good but you only give it 2 stars on your website ?????

Love this unic car !

No word on the diesel? For the customer really driving a lot it would be the choice to make.

It's igual at a tesla model?

There was NOTHING wrong with the Citroen badged versions. You don't know what you are talking about! Sounds like you are pro Audi, Mini, VW. Those touch sensitive buttons are clever and unique. Get over it!! If you have not driven a Citroen C4 Picasso it has a Touchscreen for everything!

So far they had disappointing products? This means that the DS3 is a disappointment?

I like different cars but that side profile is not pleasant

hyundai kona will is best small suv no contest here!

Has anyone told this dude the Mantra of Citroën’s (this is a luxury C) comfort over everything, so of course they aren’t going to be sporty

love that car !

Not convinced by the 3 cylinder petrol offerings, but the electric model could be neat... maybe. If it’s not price competitive with Leaf, Kona etc then it’s DOA. Shame they’re killing the DS3 hatch for yet another crossover, especially given the DS3 hatch was very popular. Hate the wonky proportions and bloated look of a crossover. Save the hatchback!

The grill is a bit Infiniti

Could have crashed. He just turns left without looking left 07:15.

Expect ds3 4x4!! or AWD!!!

fucking beautiful. i wish it had some more powerful engine. its too expensive for its power.

The DS3 hatch was a ‘disappointing product’? I think not

Q2 looks like a box of matchsticks with lipstick. Mini just looks like a sad owl with chrome. Funny how every time a better looking car inside and out, not German made has flaws no matter what. poo

Any new car do thet . The real test its after 10 years

Zeroback over 8seconds is... too slow.. almost like a truck

At 07:16 he turns without checking.

The electric version is the only one that matters

Is not a " small SUV" is wrong, is a crossover! Same as Citroen Cactus in size, crossover with 17 " tyres. Dont buy Cirtroen, i has a CACTUS 2019, car has a construction problem with the suspension, make noise and jump over a dump on road! And after 6 months start / stop stop working!

my DS3 is new with 4000 km or 3000 miles, the gearbox was damaged, I am fighting for the return of my money

Shark fin deal breaker

Top up ds3 goooood

what with all reviews and hard scratchy plastics. Is it the standard comment to make?

Don’t see anything premium , does that mean rip off , changing a badge and putting up the price for the gullible

👍🏻🚘👍🏻🚘👍🏻🚘👍🏻🚘👍🏻🚘

make hydrogen car no need petrol gas diesel battery

So special cars deserv much better name then just stupid DS!

Came for the ev news, what a waist of time, title abit miss leading

The grill looks like something from Audi

I’d like to support Citroen/DS in being different but it just seems too contrived. Style and no substance. Shame. Likely to depreciate fast

It’s still a Citroen!

sexy.......... car !

You can keep it 🤣

Please use a better term than ‘scratchy plastic’ to describe the feel of the surface ....you scratch it not the other way round. To describe how it feels to the touch try, cheap, brittle, industrial, thin, low value, etc.. Car Wow use ‘Scratchy’ and it drives me nuts... poor journalism.

Ugliest interior i have ever seen....to much really that is to much overthinking it looks like a car for some1 which sings trap and has bling bling and teeth grill :))))) premium looks :))))))))))

The Price is ridicules and Expensive 30K ??? You can get a Mercedes GLA , Or BMW X1 for less than 30K

Well, how can I break the news about this peculiar design... To start with it is more gimmicky rather than practical, over priced by far considering how small the car is, not practical at all, lots of after thoughts, door handles which are clumsy & not lasting at all, ride is all over & range is smallish not mentioning how closetrofic is the car specially on the back seats! Over all if you like the look then, I recomend don't pay dealership price of whoopi £35,000....!!!! Yes, 35k for a car which hardly worth 20K.. Thanks

They've killed their only successful DS car with this. First they replaced their first gen hatch with nothing more than a new grille and some stencil stickers of the Paris skyline in the rear windows, and now they're making a car that is at least £5k too expensive and is too much of an ask for their core demographic: single women who work as HR admins. And I liked my DS3, so it's a shame, because when this only sells 12 units across the whole of Europe next year, DS will be axed immediately.

If you stop prodding the touch buttons and treat them like a touch screen on a iPad or other tablet you will see that they work extremely well. So, stop being neanderthal about this and the design of the dash. Its different and cool, just not your typical Fiesta look.

Those interior plastic look awful and cheap

That is HIDEOUS! And when the car is converted to right hand drive, that huge glovebox will be miniscule due to the fusebox and the lazy French.

Excelent review ! Thank YOU ! But mi Troc is better car than this by far!

Looks hideous compared to the old ds3

Who is this 40 k Euro trash supposed to appeal to ? It's not even style over substance, all the aesthetic gimmicks here are just blue washing material... Car looks very dull indeed.

Some cars look good and over time age badly. This one is just ugly right out of the gate. Man, is there any French car that doesn't look like a joke on wheels? "style" over substance again. Give me a clean, smart German car build any day over this mess.

I never saw such an ugly car since the fiat multipla

WHAT COMPLETE MESS.

i don’t like it at all. small inside and claustrophobic, small boot space, confusing layout of the dashboard, kitsch styling, too many chrome let it feels heavy and baroque, pricier than real premium cars (this is not wathever they tries to let us believe it) and when you will sell it.... Well to me it is a complete disaster, and a real lemon as american says. I’m afraid it will be a true business failure

No. It’s not! Sorry it’s hideous

It wouldn't look so hideous if it wasn't so pointlessly talll

It cant comete Audi never