The trend for battery-powered small SUVs is growing. Jonathan Crouch drives the charismatic DS 3 E-TENSE.

Ten Second Review

Here's a car that taps into a couple of the fastest growing trends in the automotive market: those for full-electric vehicles and small SUVs. The DS 3 E-TENSE might have an awkward name but on paper at least, it promises to bring buyers some of the best things from both of these market genres. And it's another model that in this improved form should really move the DS brand forward.

Background

DS uses 'E-TENSE' branding across its line-up, but it doesn't always designate the same kind of powertrain. The larger DS 7 E-TENSE and DS 4 E-TENSE models are Plug-in Hybrids, which use a 1.6-litre petrol engine combined with a battery. A DS 3 E-TENSE though, dispenses with combustion engineering altogether and is a 'BEV' (or 'Battery Electric Vehicle'). At its launch in 2019, this was the first full-battery-powered small SUV on the market. And one of the first of many. It uses the same all-electric engineering we've subsequently also seen in other Stellantis Group products in this segment, the Vauxhall Mokka and Peugeot's e-2008. Here though, thanks to a redesigned electric motor and a gutsier 54kWh battery, the EV proposition's been usefully improved. Let's take a closer look.

Driving Experience

This all-electric 'E-TENSE' variant is made possible due to the fact that the CMP platform that the DS 3 sits upon has, rather cleverly, been engineered to accept both conventional and full-battery powertrains. In this revised form, the DS 3 E-TENSE gets a completely new 155hp electric motor (up from 132hp and assembled in Tremery-Metz), a revised reduction gear set-up (produced in Valenciennes) and a new 54kWh battery (assembled in Poissy) for increases in power and range (now rated at 250 miles). As before, a system for recovering energy during acceleration and braking is included, with effectiveness you can maximise via two driver-activated energy recovery settings - 'Normal' and 'Brake'. A DS 3 E-TENSE also offers three main selectable driving modes - 'Eco', 'Normal' and 'Sport', the last of which delivers the powertrain's maximum 260Nm torque figure to the tarmac the instant the wheels begin to turn. Which is why, despite the fact that this electric derivative tips the scales at over one and a half tonnes, rest to 62mph can be dispatched in just 8.7s on the way to 112mph. Of course, drive like that too often and you're not going to get anywhere near the improved WLTP-rated driving range of 250 miles. The battery weighs 350kg, but compared to the petrol version of this model, the car's kerb weight has risen by only 300kg - all of this mass low and centralised - because the engine and its ancillaries are no longer needed. All EVs are quiet, but many suffer from wind noise and tyre roar; there's little of that here. What you do get - to meet the current trend - is plenty of semi-autonomous driving technology on offer (most of it optional). The available 'DS Drive Assist' package combines 'Active Cruise Control' and 'Lane Keeping Assist' in a form that sees the vehicle managing both steering and speed.

Design and Build

At first glance, there is not much to mark this 'zero emission' model out from other variants in the DS 3 range. It's all very subtle, key visual differentiation points including a lower ride height and E-TENSE badging. Otherwise, this variant is exactly like its petrol and diesel showroom stablemates, so it's 4.18-metres long, 1.79-metres wide and 1.53-metres high, measurements which position this car amongst the bigger contenders in the segment for small premium SUVs. Styling's an emotive subject but most will probably agree that this car still offers quite an interesting take on 'B'-segment supermini-based SUV design. The visual changes to this updated model are quickly covered: revised headlamps, now of the LED variety across the range, flanking a re-styled grille, wider and enhanced with gloss black or chromed diamond tips, depending on the model. The identifying DS WINGS have been tweaked to subtly join the grille and headlamps. The bonnet gains a Clous de Paris embossed insert, the 17 and 18-inch wheels have been re-designed and the rear has been refined, lights and boot emphasised with a lacquered black strip. This features polished stainless steel 'DS Automobiles' badging. Nothing's very different inside, though all variants do now get a large 10.3-inch high definition central screen with a redesigned gloss black surround. Connected navigation and intelligent voice recognition are offered by DS IRIS SYSTEM. Users can personalise the central screen and the 7-inch instrument panel, complete with head up display that projects essential information in the driver's eye line. As before, the cabin features an over-riding diamond-shaped theme - the digital instrument pack, the dashboard switches, the air vents and many other interior fitments all bear this shape. Also as before, you can trim the cabin out to a very high standard indeed, with special leathers, alcantara and pearl stitching. More practically, you get a reasonable array of storage compartments including cup holders and a broad, functional sliding armrest. The seats are particularly comfortable thanks to a special bi-density foam the brand has developed. But over-the-shoulder vision is somewhat compromised by the rear 'D'-pillar. In the rear, the window line in the rear is rather high, so if you've got kids, you might want to make sure they're OK with that. And the boot capacity is 350-litres, the same as the petrol model.

Market and Model

Expect DS 3 E-TENSE pricing to start from just over £37,000 and range up to just under £43,000. There's (thankfully) a simplified trim range, starting with 'PERFORMANCE Line' where the seats, the dashboard strips and the door panels are embellished with Alcantara. Mid-range spec is 'Esprit De Voyage'. At the top of the range, 'OPERA' trim features a Basalt Black Nappa Leather interior with the brand's signature 'watchstrap' seat finishing. Safety-wise, all variants get a 'Safety Park', which includes an Emergency Braking System, Lane Keeping Assist, Speed recognition and Intelligent Speed Adaptation. Other standard features include an alarm system, a space saver spare wheel, air conditioning and a 10.3-inch touchscreen, with 'Apple CarPlay' and 'Android Auto' smartphone-mirroring, Bluetooth and a DAB digital radio with eight speakers.

Cost of Ownership

Make the most of the two driver-activated energy recovery settings ('Normal' and 'Brake') and consistently drive with the car in its most frugal 'Eco' drive mode setting and you might potentially get somewhere close to the quoted WLTP-rated driving range of up to 250 miles. That's partly due to the efficiency of this updated model's improved electric motor, plus the powertrain's ability to recover energy. Also adding to efficiency is a standard heat pump, there's thermal pre-conditioning and aerodynamics have been optimised by the brand's decision to lower ground clearance by 10mm. Like most full-EVs, the DS 3 E-TENSE carries a high-capacity 11kW on board charger. As usual with a car of this kind, there are a host of charging options for the improved 54kWh battery (50.8kWh usable). Charging at a dedicated wall box or standard public terminal will take 8 or 5 hours respectively. Additionally the car can of course be charged from a standard domestic socket. At a public 100kW rapid charge terminal, 80% of the battery can be recharged in just 30 minutes, which represents an average range of 5.5 miles per charging minute. You might expect a newly-established brand to make an extra effort with warranty provision, but there's only the usual unremarkable three year/60,000-mile package. The electric 'E-Tense' model gets a separate eight year / 100,000 mile warranty for its electrical powertrain.

Summary

The DS 3 E-TENSE is hardly inexpensive but in compensation it's a satisfyingly desirable take on full battery-powered small SUV motoring. The design is individual, the cabin feels special and it's reasonably well equipped. Plus the full-electric technology works unobtrusively and the cabin's supremely quiet. Are there issues? Well the improved driving range being offered here is more competitive, but it's still not quite at the forefront of the class. If that's not really an issue, you want an SUV body style and you'd like something a little showier than this car's cousins, the Peugeot e-2008 and the Vauxhall Mokka Electric, then this E-TENSE model should figure on your wish list. This car, like its brand, is aspirational. If you are too and you're shopping in this segment while looking for something a bit different, you might well like it.

Body Glass

Acoustic and tinted windscreen

Dark tinted rear windows

Dark tinted acoustic rear windows with heated rear windscreen

Electric front and rear windows

Brakes

Electronic Stability Programme (ESP)

Hill start assist

EBD - Electronic brakeforce distribution

Front ventilated disc brakes and rear disc brakes

Electric parking brake

Communication

Wireless charging for smartphone

Driver Aids

Power assisted steering

Mirror screen with Apple CarPlay and Android auto

DS Connect Box emergency and assistance system

Drive mode selector includes eco,normal,manual and sport

Parking camera - 360 Vision

Front and rear parking sensors

Driver Information

DS Iris system - 3D connected navigation, natural voice recognition, bluetooth connectivity and over-the-air updates

Emergency call service

10.3" HD touchscreen

7 inch digital instrument cluster display

Multi function on board trip computer

Driving Mirrors

Frameless and electrochrome rear view mirror

Gloss black door mirrors

Electrically adjustable, power folding, heated and tinted door mirrors

Embellishment Trims

Dashboard facia dйcor - Basalt black decor with scale effect

Sunvisors with LED lighting

Lower dashboard metal work detailing in satin chrome, Clous De Paris embossing

Door panel dйcor - Basalt black decor with scale effect

Entertainment

DAB Digital radio

Stereo system with 8 speakers

Exterior Body Features

Chrome finish DS emblem located on tailgate

Flush fitting door handles

Rear side wing doors

Chrome finish DS 3 inscription located on tailgate

Brilliant black rear tailgate trim and rear light surround

Brilliant black front grille with chrome accents, black DS wings and chrome DS emblem

E-TENSE inscription - chrome finish, located on tailgate

Exterior Lights

LED daytime running lights

LED Headlights

LED third brake light

Automatic lights

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

Programmable heater with temperature regulator

Heat pump

Interior Features

Interior grab handles damped (x4)

Rear USB-C port

12V socket

Front centre armrest in Isabella mistral black leather effect

Engine start button - gloss back and chrome with Clous De Paris embossing

Black perforated leather steering wheel with contrast stitching

Rear door pocket 0.5 litres bottle storage

Front door pocket 1.5 litres bottle storage

Steering column mounted gearbox paddles

Steering wheel reach and rake adjustment

Front central armrest with storage

Light grey headlining

Front USB-C port

2 cup holders in front

Interior Lights

Boot lighting

Front and rear LED interior reading lights

Front foot well with LED lighting

Gearbox selector in basalt black leather, satin chrome and piano black trim

Packs

Auto comfort pack - DS3

Advanced safety pack - DS 3

Safety

Driver and front passenger side airbags with optimised thorax protection

Seatbelts rear - three point retractable seatbelts with pre tensioners and load limiters to outer rear seats

Indirect tyre pressure monitoring system (ITPMS)

Front and rear curtain airbags, head protection for side impacts

Adaptive driver and front passenger airbags includes passenger airbag deactivation function

Seatbelts front - three point retractable seatbelts with pre tensioners and progressive load limiters

Child lock function with electronic rear windows and manual rear doors

Passenger detection system - seat cushion mounted pressure sensors, illumination in roof control panel if belt unfastening detected

Second row side airbags

3x3 point rear seatbelts

Seats

Single front passenger seat

Premium design front seats with comfort foam and padding incl. map pockets

Easy folding rear seating system

Rear headrests with mechanical height adjustment

Front headrests with mechanical height adjustment

Front seats with manual longitudinal, height and backrest angle adjustment

3 seat bench in 2nd row

1/3 - 2/3 rear foldable back rest seats

1x front passenger seat isofix mounting points includes top tether

2x rear outer seat isofix mounting points includes top tether

Security

Automatic door locking while driving

Locking wheel nuts

Alarm covers perimeter,interior of vehicle and tow-away instances

Deadlocks

Remote control central locking

Vanity Mirrors

Cloth sunvisors with LED courtesy mirror and ticket holder

Vehicle Charging

Accelerated charging cable (Type 2/mode 3)

11kW on board V2L charger

Wheels - Spare

Tyre repair kit

Electric Vehicle Data

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Charge Time (Mins): 450

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Power Supply - kW: 7.4

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Percentage Change: 0-100

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Charge Time (Mins): 300

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Power Supply - kW: 11

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Percentage Change: 0-100

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Charge Time (Mins): 30

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Power Supply - kW: 100

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Percentage Change: 0-80

Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Charge Time (Mins): N

Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Power Supply - kW: N

Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Percentage Change: N

Coupler/Connector Type: CCS Type 2

Standard manufacturers Battery warranty - Years: 8

Standard manufacturers Battery warranty - Mileage: 100000

Battery Capacity in kWh: 54

Battery Leased: 0

Battery Type: Lithium-ion

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - Comb: 399

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - Comb - TEL: 435

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - Comb - TEH: 373

WLTP - EC (kWh/100km) - Comb - TEL: 14.2

WLTP - EC (kWh/100km) - Comb - TEH: 16.4

WLTP - EC (miles/kWh) - Comb - TEH: 3.8

WLTP - EC (miles/kWh) - Comb - TEL: 4.4

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - Comb: 248

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - Comb - TEH: 232

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - Comb - TEL: 270

Battery Capacity % guaranteed under warranty: 70

Charging Port Location: Left Side Rear

Usable Battery Capacity: 50.8

Maximum Charging Rate - kW: 100

Emissions - ICE

CO2 (g/km): 0

Standard Euro Emissions: N

CO: N

HC: N

NOx: N

HC+NOx: N

Particles: N

Engine and Drive Train

Cylinders - Bore (mm): N

Cylinders - Stroke (mm): N

CC: 1

Cylinders: N

Cylinder Layout: N

Number of Valves: N

Camshaft: N

Fuel Delivery: N

Catalytic Convertor: N

Engine Layout: N

Compression Ratio: N

Transmission: AUTO

Gears: 1 SPEED

Engine Code: N

Fuel Consumption - ICE

EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: N

EC Urban (mpg): N

EC Extra Urban (mpg): N

EC Combined (mpg): N

General

Coin Series: Pallas

Coin Description: 54kWh

Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 3

Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 60000

Manufacturers Paintwork Guarantee - Years: 3

Manufacturers Corrosion Perforation Guarantee - Years: 12

Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?: 0

Special Edition: 0

Special Order: 0

Based On ID: N

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 29E

Service Interval Mileage: 16000

Service Interval Frequency - Months: 24

Timing Belt Interval Mileage: N

Timing Belt Interval Frequency - Months: N

Badge Power: 155

Badge Engine CC: 0.0

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

Generation Mark: 2

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: No

Performance

0 to 62 mph (secs): 9

Top Speed: 93

Engine Power - BHP: 155

Engine Power - PS: No

0 to 60 mph (secs): 0

Engine Power - KW: 115

Engine Power - RPM: N

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 192

Engine Torque - NM: 260

Engine Torque - MKG: 26.5

Test Cycles

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

RDE Certification Level: N/A

Tyres

Tyre Size Front: 215/60 R17

Tyre Size Rear: 215/60 R17

Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT

Wheel Type: 17" ALLOY

Wheel Style: DUBLIN

Alloys?: No

Space Saver?: 0

Vehicle Dimensions

Length: 4118

Width: 1802

Wheelbase: 2558

Width (including mirrors): 1988

Height: 1534

Height (including roof rails): N

Weight and Capacities

Minimum Kerbweight: 1550

Gross Vehicle Weight: 2008

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): N

Max. Towing Weight - Braked: N

Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: N

Max. Loading Weight: 458

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 350

No. of Seats: 5

Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): 1050

Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 10.7

Exterior Body Features

Perla nera black metallic roof

Special metallic paint

Metallic paint

Additional metallic paint

Solid paint with black roof

Interior Features

Leather upholstery

Packs

Comfort pack - DS3

Paint - Metallic

Metallic - Perla nera black

Additional metallic paint - Pearl crystal

Additional metallic paint - Artense grey

Paint - Solid

Solid - Bianca white

Solid - Bianca white with Perla nera black roof

Paint - Special

Special metallic - Diva red

Special metallic - Night flight

Trim - Cloth

Cloth - Silicium Perruzi cloth with Basalt DS canvas seat and Basalt black decor with scale effect

Trim - Leather

Leather - Basalt black grained leather seat with Basalt black decor with scale effect

Wheels - Alloy

18" Nice diamond cut alloy wheels