Road Test - Citroen DS3

Author: Ian Strachan

Citroen’s new premium small hatchback – the attractively styled DS3 – has started scooping awards already. The supermini beat all comers to scoop the Top Gear Magazine Car of the Year award.

And it's not hard to see why the Top Gear team liked it. This car has head turning style and bags of personality, backed up by good performance and some innovative ideas.

I test drove the 1.6i petrol powered DS3 DSport. It came in Sport Red - one of the most vivid reds I've seen on a car, with a black roof adorned by "Urban Tribe" roof graphics. You're left in no doubt that this car is going to be different. A nice touch is the splash of Sport Red body colour on the key fob - no danger of picking up the wrong keys here.

The 150 horsepower engine is willing, smooth and gutsy. With a six-speed manual gearbox it has effortless performance. 

Inside the DS3 has a distinctly sporty feel, with a black roof and aviation-inspired dials. Despite the black roof it still feels bright and airy, helped by large expanses of glass. Seats are nicely contoured and supportive, and controls are angled in to the driver. Gauges include a gear efficiency indicator, telling the driver the optimum moment to change gear.

My only criticism of the interior is the highly polished black dashboard trim finish which reflects the world going past the side windows and can be a little distracting. 

Storage space is generous, with decent sized door bins and stowage in the folding arm rest. Leg and headroom is adequate and boot space is more generous than you'd expect for a car of this size. 

Colours and trims can be customised to suit the owners' preferences, even down to the wheel colours. There are 38 different rim combinations in all.

Fuel economy is good, returning more than 42 miles to the gallon in mixed driving.

On the road, the DS3 handles extremely well. Cornering is positive and effortless, and the suspension absorbs bumps well. This car's suspension feels a little harder than you'd expect from a Citroen but it's still very comfortable.

Safety gets a high priority. The DS3 has achieved a five star Euro NCAP rating and includes all-round airbags, electronic stability, speed limiter and energy-absorbing side impact protection.

Automatic digital air conditioning, remote central locking with immobiliser and automatic door-locking, rear soiler with high-level brake light, RDS radio with MP3/CD player, 17 inch alloys, cruise control, leather steering wheel with controls for the radio, electric windows and electric door mirrors are all standard.

This is a good package and well worth the £15,900 on the road price. 

Road test by Ian Strachan Communications Ltd

Ian Strachan is a motoring and business writer and PR consultant. He can be contacted on 01543 490932 or 07949 202596 or via email: ian@strachan13.freeserv