DS 3 E-Tense Facelift electric car in the driving report
Seite 2: Stronger, not faster
The powertrain itself has become 15 kW more powerful, but not much changes for the customer here either. The factory still quotes a sprint to 100 km/h in 9.1 seconds, and the speed limit is still set at 150 km/h. The full power is only available to those who switch to Sport mode. Full power can only be accessed by switching to Sport mode. Most drivers will rarely do that in everyday life, because the small E-SUV already accelerates quite nimbly in "Normal". Even on the highway, you are more than well supplied in this power-reduced mode. The power is cut back again in Eco mode, which actually makes it a bit slower on the highway, but not lame. In other words: Off the highway, you can drive sufficiently fast even in Eco mode.
None of this is new, which is not to devalue it. 15 kW more no longer plays a role in a car that hardly invites you to savor the possible driving performance. There was and is enough power to handle all everyday tasks so confidently that there is almost always a generous reserve. It may be even bigger now, but that does not have a decisive impact on the driving experience.
DS 3 E-Tense 2023 (8 Bilder)
Quieter than before
DS has improved the sound insulation, which is noticeable. In an electric car, noise away from the drive comes more to the fore, and rolling or wind noise is more noticeable here. The DS 3 got thicker windows and a bit more insulating material, which has a positive effect: The car is a bit quieter than before.
Known virtues
Everything else is familiar from the model before the revision. The DS 3 is carefully crafted and nobly lined. In this respect, it towers far above its class. The seats still cannot be pushed back far enough for people with long legs, and support in the lumbar area is also missing.
As expected, the space offered is not huge. After all, the DS 3 is not much longer than a VW Polo (review). The trunk holds 350 liters, which is noticeably more than in the electric versions of the Peugeot 208 and Opel Corsa. After the facelift, the infotainment system can wirelessly integrate Android Auto and Apple CarPlay - a good thing, because the navigation system that is standard in the expensive equipment lines is not completely convincing.
Ambitious prices
Those who conclude that small dimensions mean a low price are doubly wrong about the DS 3 E-Tense. On the one hand, Stellantis wants to market the DS brand as noble and documents this with a fine interior lining and self-confident prices, among other things. On the other hand, such a high price can obviously be achieved on the market.
Even the base model costs 40,540 euros, which is a hefty price tag for a compact car with a slightly raised seating position. With one of the two mid-range equipment lines, it's already more than 45,000 euros, and at the top it's even more than 51,000 euros. But there are electric cars on the market that offer more space, charge faster and go further.
But perhaps the self-proclaimed premium claim is so far-reaching that hardly anyone from the target group asks about the actual value in the environment of similar models from other manufacturers. Of course, it helps that there is only little direct competition.
(mfz)