The first offering from the new DS range, the Citroen DS3 was officially launched in 2010 though production began the earlier year. While hints of the DS3 were teased with the concept car DS Inside, the DS3 is most reminiscent of the classic Citroen DS. However, the DS3 doesn’t resemble the classic car in any way except in name. Classified as a supermini, the DS3 was recognized by Top Gear Magazine as the Car of the Year for 2010. A limited-edition Matière Grise line was announced for the DS3, made up of 750 cars that will be just available in European markets, as well as a road version of the rally-specification DS3 R3 called the DS3 Racing.

Pros

One of the strongest selling points that the Citroen DS3 has going for it is the range of options it offers to allow a customer to personalise their car. When you buy a DS3, you can mix and match roof and body colors, as well as place decals of your choosing. Car owners generally consider their vehicles an extension of themselves so being able to personalise your ride is a great bonus. There are also three trim levels available to be considered also.

The DS3 is bigger than a Mini so you can expect cabin space to be bigger as well. Leg and knee room are ample for rear passengers and more could be enjoyed by adjusting the front seats. Very tall passengers may have a bit of trouble though with head room but the DS3 is a relatively small car so that’s forgivable. Boot space is at 285 litres, decent enough compared to other competitors in its class.

It’s easy enough to assume that a small car would be swift but the DS3 is also fitted with engine units to take advantage of that, allowing the car to go from 0 to 62 mph within 7.3 seconds. Power delivery is also refined so the DS3 offers a smooth ride as you speed up. A popular choice for speed and power is a 1.6-litre petrol unit that puts out 154bhp. If you want even more though, the DS3 Racing model with a 204-bhp capacity should fit you nicely.

On the road, there decent body control and comfort is sustained for all passengers. There might be a bit of a push here and there but these are brief and are usually resolved as soon as enough throttle is achieved. There’s also a stability control system that supports your driving with subtlety and eases any sort of trouble you may encounter. All models offer reasonable efficiency too, with an average of 35.8mpg, so fuel economy should not be a concern as well.

Cons

The Citroen DS3 inside is not much different from what you’ll see inside a C3. The customisation option adds a great deal of personality to the interior but it can only do so much. The DS3’s interior is not all that bad but it does make it harder to move upmarket. The Mini has similar problems with the DS3 but it did a better job of making them less obvious.

                In 2009, the Citroën DS3 was officially produced by Citroën, the known French maker of automobiles. This was first a concept car named Citroën DS Inside, which was shown in February 2009 at the Geneva Motor Show. Yet, despite being created under the same concept, the DS3 bears little resemblance to the DS Inside.

                This compact car is available as a two door convertible and as a three door hatchback, providing consumers with a multitude of choices to satisfy their own liking. It was featured in the music video of Pixie Lott’s What Do You Take Me For, which makes it the first car to have a product placement in a British music video.

                In 2011, the DS3 was redesigned to create a limited edition model. This version is colored brun Hickory with a dark brown shade. The body, roof colors, and most of the exterior can be personalized by the consumers to suit their own tastes, making it even more ideal for the buyers. The DS3 is a supermini car that rivals the Audi A1, Mini Hatch, and Alfa Romeo MiTo, all of which are hatchback superminis. Citroën DS3 is named as the Car of the Year in 2010 by Top Gear Magazine, giving it superior recognition for its sophisticated design and features.