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Citroen DS3 Sport 2014 Review

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EXPERT RATING
7.0

Likes

  • Funky looks
  • Best of hard and soft tops
  • Sharp handling

Dislikes

  • Not cheap
  • Inconsistent drivetrains
  • Compromised packaging with soft top
Peter Barnwell
https://www.carsguide.com.au/authors/peter-barnwell
23 Apr 2014
3 min read

There’s plenty of stove hot competition in the light car class including Ford’s very excellent Fiesta ST. It’s a mini rocket ship. But not everyone wants a missile in the garage. Some people like a bit of comfort, class and luxury - enter the Citroen DS3 hatch, a sweet little car out of France with plenty of kit and a totally different look.

PRICE / FEATURES

At $29,740, the DS3 is up towards the top of the light car class against the likes of the Fiesta ST, Peugeot 208GTi, Renault Clio RS, Skoda Fabia RS and VW Polo GTi. The interior is arguably the best in class with stylish carbon-look fascia and a really funky looking instrument binnacle with metal surrounds and slick-looking dials.

Actually controlling all the car’s functions is easy if a little crowded around the steering wheel column that houses a couple of multi button satellite switches. The audio system is good as is the satnav and we wouldn’t necessarily pay the extra two grand for leather because the seats are comfortable in cloth.

ENGINE

The powertrain ain’t half bad either as it’s essentially the same as you’ll find in Peugeot, BMW and Mini products as well as Citroen. That means 1.6-litre, turbo petrol four cylinder with direct fuel injection and variable valve timing along with staged oil and water pumps for more efficiency gains. The DS3 version cranks out some 115kW/240Nm with fuel consumption averaging around 6.0-litres of premium/100km.

DRIVING

But the thing about this car is its drive feel. Put simply, the diminutive Citroen makes you feel good thanks to the comfortable but sporty ride, direct steering, slick gear change and plucky engine with more than enough oomph for most applications short of track days.

It even sounds good with a muted rumble rolling out of the twin exhausts. While we wouldn’t describe the DS3’s styling as sexy, it’s certainly cute in a puppy dog sort of way with an array of LED daytime drivers on the outside of each headlight picking it out in a crowd.

There’s adequate room inside for four adults and access to the rear seats is aided by front pews that slide and fold out of the way. The boot is OK – better with the rear seats folded. It can’t meet these for outright sporty driving but the sporty 'flavour' of the Citroen DS3 is more than enough to satisfy most drivers, particularly those looking for a bit more refinement and easy everyday driving for their dollar.

Citroen DS3 D Sport
Price: from $29,740
Engine: 1.6-litre trubo 4-cyl petrol, 115kW/240Nm
Transmission: six-speed manual, FWD
Thirst: 6 litres/100km

Citroen DS3 2014: Dsport

Engine Type Turbo 4, 1.6L
Fuel Type
Fuel Efficiency 6.7L/100km (combined)
Seating 5
Price From $6,380 - $8,910
Safety Rating
Peter Barnwell
https://www.carsguide.com.au/authors/peter-barnwell
Peter Barnwell is a former CarsGuide contributor and News Corp Australia Editor. During his decades of experience as an automotive expert, he has specialised in writing about performance vehicles.
About Author
Disclaimer: The pricing information shown in the editorial content (Review Prices) is to be used as a guide only and is based on information provided to Carsguide Autotrader Media Solutions Pty Ltd (Carsguide) both by third party sources and the car manufacturer at the time of publication. The Review Prices were correct at the time of publication. Carsguide does not warrant or represent that the information is accurate, reliable, complete, current or suitable for any particular purpose. You should not use or rely upon this information without conducting an independent assessment and valuation of the vehicle.
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