Pros and cons
DS Automobiles (Stellantis) DS 3 E-Tense pros and cons — the honest buyer's verdict (2020)
3 min read·Last updated: 2020-01-01·By ev.care editorial team
TL;DR
4 pros, 3 cons. The DS Automobiles (Stellantis) DS 3 E-Tense is best for european premium subcompact suv buyers wanting french style over german engineering — within that envelope it is one of the strongest picks in its segment.
Every EV is a set of trade-offs. The DS Automobiles (Stellantis) DS 3 E-Tense's 402 km range and DS Automobiles (Stellantis)'s segment position are the headlines — but the 4 pros and 3 cons below are what actually drive customer satisfaction one year in. This is a structured look at both columns.
DS Automobiles (Stellantis) DS 3 E-Tense — the pros
The DS Automobiles (Stellantis) DS 3 E-Tense has earned its strongest praise for these reasons. Strength 1 — Distinctive French luxury chic. On the DS Automobiles (Stellantis) DS 3 E-Tense specifically, this matters more than the brochure suggests, and it shows up clearly in daily use. Strength 2 — Diamond-cushioned leather is class-leading. On the DS Automobiles (Stellantis) DS 3 E-Tense specifically, this matters more than the brochure suggests, and it shows up clearly in daily use. Strength 3 — Stellantis e-CMP2 platform. On the DS Automobiles (Stellantis) DS 3 E-Tense specifically, this matters more than the brochure suggests, and it shows up clearly in daily use. Strength 4 — 250 mi WLTP is decent. On the DS Automobiles (Stellantis) DS 3 E-Tense specifically, this matters more than the brochure suggests, and it shows up clearly in daily use. Anchoring all of this: a 54 kWh battery, 402 km range, and a EUR 36,800 - 47,000 (European market) starting price that defines the DS Automobiles (Stellantis) DS 3 E-Tense's value envelope.
DS Automobiles (Stellantis) DS 3 E-Tense — the cons
On the other side, the DS Automobiles (Stellantis) DS 3 E-Tense has these honest weaknesses you should price in. Weakness 1 — Not sold globally. On the DS Automobiles (Stellantis) DS 3 E-Tense specifically, this matters more than the brochure suggests, and it shows up clearly in daily use. Weakness 2 — 100 kW DC charging modest. On the DS Automobiles (Stellantis) DS 3 E-Tense specifically, this matters more than the brochure suggests, and it shows up clearly in daily use. Weakness 3 — DS dealer network sparse. On the DS Automobiles (Stellantis) DS 3 E-Tense specifically, this matters more than the brochure suggests, and it shows up clearly in daily use. For a premium electric subcompact suv weighing 1620 kg with 150 km/h top speed, these trade-offs are within segment norms but worth pricing in.
Who the DS Automobiles (Stellantis) DS 3 E-Tense is for
DS Automobiles (Stellantis) pitches the DS Automobiles (Stellantis) DS 3 E-Tense at "European premium subcompact SUV buyers wanting French style over German engineering", and that framing holds up. If your driving fits that shape, the pros above land hardest and the cons fade fastest. 402 km of range is enough for most weekly profiles, and 20-80% in 30 min (100kW DC) of fast charging keep occasional long trips practical.
Practical next steps
If the cons all touch one part of your week (long highway runs, say, or boot space) — that's the dealbreaker. If they touch unrelated edges, the DS Automobiles (Stellantis) DS 3 E-Tense is probably the right buy.
Related DS Automobiles (Stellantis) EVs
If the cons above are dealbreakers, look at peugeot e 208, opel astra electric, fiat 500e — each makes a different set of trade-offs. The DS Automobiles (Stellantis) DS 3 E-Tense wins more often than not in its tier, but cross-shopping protects you from buying the wrong shape.
Frequently asked questions
- What's the biggest reason to choose the DS Automobiles (Stellantis) DS 3 E-Tense?
- Pick the pro in the list above that most matches your weekly use. If it's range, value, charging speed, or feature set — whichever sits at the top for you — that's the buy signal.
- Can the cons be fixed with aftermarket changes?
- A few — wheels, tyres, interior comforts, dashcam, charging cables. Most cons in the list above are structural and not modifiable after purchase, so buy with eyes open.
- Does DS Automobiles (Stellantis) address the cons in newer models?
- Some, not all. DS Automobiles (Stellantis) has improved the DS Automobiles (Stellantis) DS 3 E-Tense platform with each refresh — software updates close a few cons, hardware refresh cycles close more. But fundamental layout decisions (boot space, seating, charge port placement) are baked in for the life of the model.
- Is the DS Automobiles (Stellantis) DS 3 E-Tense worth buying overall?
- For european premium subcompact suv buyers wanting french style over german engineering, yes. The DS Automobiles (Stellantis) DS 3 E-Tense's pros pay back week after week for that use case. For substantially different needs, you'll find better fits in other models.
In short: european premium subcompact suv buyers wanting french style over german engineering is where the DS Automobiles (Stellantis) DS 3 E-Tense shines. The cons matter, but they matter less every month as software and parts mature.