The great and the good of Britain's motoring press have been tootling around in Citroën's cute-looking DS3 DSport Plus THP 165 S&S 6-speed Manual – and encouraging noises have come out of car drivers and journalist alike.
That said, reviewers did note whiny, unpleasant sounds from first and second gears – but third and above were much smoother. Switches from fifth to sixth were even more impressive.
Despite looking like the ideal car for a bit of start-stop in-town action, apparently it isn't ideal – but this gripe can be quickly forgiven.
At higher speeds, on long distance journeys, the DS3 DSport Plus comes into its own. The interior has been praised for its leather-covered comfort and more importantly for its spaciousness – particularly at the front. It also boasts five seats and a 285 litre boot.
In terms of looks, ‘cute’ is a word that crops up a lot in relation to this 3.95m runabout. This styling is likely to make it a hit with female drivers, although there are plenty of broodier paint-jobs available to keep male buyers happy.
While it does deliver a decent combined fuel consumption figure of 50.4mph – an impressive number considering its sportiness – but its 129g/km of CO2 emissions means this particular model isn't the most environmentally friendly. If you are willing to forgo a little acceleration, then you could get emissions under 100g/km.
Overall, reviewers have been impressed by this car's practicality and comfort, as well as its prowess in the realm of long distance travel.
- Price from £19,000
- Top speed 135mph
- Acceleration 0-62mph in 7.5 seconds
- Combined fuel consumption 50.4mpg
- CO2 emissions 129g/km
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