Insurance Group: 19
MPG: 74.4
CO2: 99
0-62 Mph: 9.7 secs
BHP: 115 BHP
Range: 786 miles
PROS: Well built and safe, with unique styling, low running costs, and a good level of standard equipment.
CONS: The sportier set up has compromised ride comfort to a degree. Doesn’t have the same brand desirability of the very evenly matched Mini Cooper.
The Citroen DS3 e-HDI 110hp Airdream DSport Plus’ diesel engine produces 110bhp, which puts the car firmly in competition with the 112bhp Mini Cooper D. It is a close competition too, with both cars boasting an identical 0-62mph time of 9.7 seconds. The Citroen DS3 e-HDI 110hp Airdream DSport Plus has a top speed of 118mph, which is only just bested by the Mini’s 122mph top speed. Both are fitted with 6-speed manual gearboxes and, as the similar performances figures would testify, the 'box found in the Citroen DS3 e-HDI 110hp Airdream DSport Plus is the match of its rivals, and enables smooth and easy access to the power.
Ride quality in the Citroen DS3 e-HDI 110hp Airdream DSport Plus is stiffer than the ride found in lesser models in the DS3 range as a result of a sportier set up. These changes do however result in increased levels of grip, and stable and responsive handling. The steering is light and user-friendly.
As with the rest of the DS3 range, The Citroen DS3 e-HDI 110hp Airdream DSport Plus has bold exterior styling. The most obvious example of this is the distinctive fin-like design of the B-pillar. Inside there is a Citroen C3-inspired dash which has sensibly-placed dials and controls, and which feels well made. The driving position is very good, the seat and steering wheel adjustments allowing for a good degree of flexibility.
The top-of-the-range Citroen DS3 e-HDI 110hp Airdream DSport Plus has an impressive array of standard equipment. It features as standard central locking, power steering, stability control, alloy wheels, climate control, electric door mirros, electric windows, cruise control, rear parking sensors, leather seats, rear parking sensors, driver airbag, passenger airbag, front side airbags, alarm & immobiliser, bluetooth, CD player, and MP3 connectivity. The end result is that, although a Mini Cooper D is almost £2,000 cheaper to buy, it would cost more than that amount to bring the Mini’s equipment level up in line with the Citroen DS3 e-HDI 110hp Airdream DSport Plus.
The Citroen DS3 e-HDI 110hp Airdream DSport Plus achieves an overall 5-star NCAP safety rating, and comes as standard with driver, passenger, and front side airbags. The Citroen DS3 e-HDI 110hp Airdream DSport Plus feels well engineered, with no obvious reasons to question its reliability. It comes as standard with a 3-year, 60,000 mile warranty.
The Citroen DS3 e-HDI 110hp Airdream DSport Plus earns praise for its practicality. It can seat five people, an advantage over the 4-seater Mini, and although legroom is not fantastic it is adequate. The boot capacity is a very impressive 285 litres, a massive jump from the 160 litres offered by the Mini.
At first glance an £18,095 price tag for the Citroen DS3 e-HDI 110hp Airdream DSport Plus makes it look expensive compared to the £16,120 Mini Cooper D. However, the Citroen’s superior list of standard equipment does justify its higher purchase price, and the Mini Cooper D does, in fact, become more expensive when optional extras are added to match the specification. The two cars are almost identical in terms of running costs. The Citroen DS3 e-HDI 110hp Airdream DSport Plus has a fuel economy of a combined 74.4mpg, whereas the Mini Cooper D’s figure is 74.3mpg. Both emit 99g/km of C02, with both therefore occupying the lowest Road Tax Band A. The Citroen DS3 e-HDI 110hp Airdream DSport Plus falls into insurance group 19, one higher than the Mini.
The Citroen DS3 e-HDI 110hp Airdream DSport Plus is expected to perform well in the used market, with residual values aided by its comparatively high specification.
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