DS 3 Crossback 1.2 PureTech 130

DS 3 Crossback, or what?

The DS 3 Crossback plays in a bit of a league of its own. It is a small city car, 4,118 mm long, with high ground clearance, clearly inspired by crossovers. Similar sizes and very high prices may make you look at the Audi Q2 and the Villager. However, all these cars are more spacious, have bigger trunks, can have a 4×4 drive, and in the higher versions there is a 2.0 liter engine with a power of about 190 HP under the hood. The most powerful engine in the DS is a three-cylinder 1.2 with 156 HP. We drove the Crossback with the 130-horsepower PureTech.

From the stable of Audi, the closest competitor of the DS 3 Crossback may turn out to be not the usual Q2 crossover, but an elevated A1 called Citycarver.

Uniqueness comes first. And the price is very high

The DS brand has recently been working independently and from time to time wants to enter the so-called premium class. And the DS 3 Crossback is definitely worth it when you look at the price list. The PureTech 130 version with the EAT8 automatic transmission we tested costs PLN 109,900. The car from the photo, in the top version of the equipment, with equipment and Opera style, costs about PLN 170,000.

A lot. Countryman Cooper S with 192 horsepower with ALL4 engine costs PLN 145,000.

Are PSA concerns out of mind? Not amust. The main point of DS should be uniqueness. Some people want to pay a lot for a city car because the high price in the premium class should not be a disadvantage. It emphasizes the dignity and respect of the driver. The Crossback is clearly aimed at people who consider themselves private and don’t want to see cars that look like them.

DS 3 Crossback photo: Filip Trusz

Look at me!

And you won’t find a car like the DS 3 on the street. The French allowed their stylists almost everything and a unique project was created. The small DS even has retractable door handles. Driving a DS can be compared to driving a big car – everyone is looking at you, and sometimes in the parking lot someone will come up to you and ask you a few questions. DS certainly does not leave anyone indifferent. Some say he is beautiful (especially women), others criticize him for his questionable beauty.

If you like to be the center of attention, this could be the car for you. I was not convinced by his strange style, and the constant stares from passers-by and drivers were starting to annoy me.

DS 3 Crossback photo: Filip Trusz

DS 3 Crossback photo: Filip Trusz

Does DS 3 Crossback charge in the interior? Yes and no

The avant-garde interior is surprising at first. The DS was designed for a completely different purpose, also in the cabin, than other cars. That’s why the window control buttons are placed in the central tunnel, the air vents are in strange places, and there are many touch pads under the screen.

The quality of the materials used is amazing. The seats are comfortable and the cabin is finished in a way that an Audi or Mini can only dream of. Where real brands in this segment use hard plastics, the DS has soft and pleasant-to-the-touch materials. This is a big advantage – on board we have the feeling of dealing with a luxury product. The list of equipment is also impressive: good Focal sound, massage in the driver’s seat, good online clocks, smart LED lights, head-up display (on board), inductive charger and a whole host of safety systems.

At high speed, the stability is also worthy of praise.

DS 3 Crossback photo: Filip Trusz

Is it worth it? Unfortunately not. The best appearance is spoiled by the place where we meet plastics straight from Citroen. And I would not nitpick, because they are well hidden under the cabinet, if not for the fact that the Crossback is very difficult, we are sitting locked in it, and I could not find it. a position behind the wheel that would not hit my knee on the very hard plastic in front of me he reminded himself every trip.

I certainly won’t praise the multimedia system. The graphics are attractive, the operation is intuitive, and the list of functions is long, but the features cannot cope with it. It doesn’t always run smoothly and sometimes crashes. It also requires a “warm-up” period. I found myself turning off the Start/Stop after a minute of driving because I didn’t want to fight the system. This is not a paid application. Just like regular buttons can be more convenient than the funky touchpads.

DS 3 Crossback photo: Filip Trusz

Is 130 HP really enough?

We’ve known the 1.2 PureTech unit for a long time and we always praise it (in the B section, of course). The new EAT8 automatic transmission also deserves praise. A matching duo that works best in a small city car. Thanks to 130 HP, you can accelerate to 100 km / h in 9.2 seconds, and the engine can be economical – the manufacturer says about 6.0 l/100 km. In mixed cycle I got more than 7.

Since the DS wants to sit at the table with premium brands, many people point out that it has an R3 engine under the hood. Let’s remember, however, that Mini and Audi also use small engines in segment B cars. However, the German companies have offered 2.0 power units to very demanding customers. DS does not have this. Also from a photo perspective only.

How does the DS 3 Crossback drive? Very accurate. It drives admirably, although due to its light handling and rocking in the corners it certainly does not encourage the sharpest maneuvers. I feel good during a quiet, city drive. He copes well with inequality, although sometimes he has a timid attitude. However, it is more attractive on rough roads, where it seems more confident.

DS 3 Crossback photo: Filip Trusz

DS 3 Crossback 1.2 PureTech 130 – opinie Moto.pl

I haven’t driven an unusual car in a long time. The DS 3 Crossback is full of contradictions. Exclusivity, unique appearance, avant-garde and very well-made cabin, rich equipment and price – all this makes us want to include it in the premium class without hesitation. On the other hand, however, we have a small engine, neutral handling and a boring infotainment system that makes us wonder. DS 3 Crossback will be an interesting thing on the Polish market. And maybe that’s what the French wanted. DS should arouse interest, attract attention and cause a little sensation on the road.

I admit we didn’t like the little DS. Still, I’ll keep my fingers crossed for him, and if I see him on the street, I’ll smile. There has never been a cleaner and more attractive car in this class. Although it is addressed to a very narrow group of drivers.

DS 3 Crossback photo: Filip Trusz