2013 Citroen DS3 Review – DS3 Cabrio DStyle

Small, stylish runabouts used to be French manufacturers’ forte. But in recent times, the Germans have been leading the way with the reborn MINI and its endlessly customisable options. Fiat followed suit with its adorable Fiat 500 and lately, Audi has been tempting buyers with its A1.

Citroen, a brand known for its original, albeit occasionally quirky, designs is capitalising on this growing segment with its DS3 hatchback.

The DS3 has a monumental task cut-out for it. It has to be stylish to see off the A1, dynamically competent to fend off the MINI and deliver on price against the 500.

Based on the tallboy Citroen C3 which is priced from $19,990, the DS3 comes in two flavours – the 88kW DStyle at $27,740 and the 115kW DSport at $29,740. Earlier this year, the French automaker added a Cabriolet variant to the range that replaces the steel roof with a canvas top and adds $3,250 to the price.

With spring/summer upon us, it’s the perfect time to put the chic little cabriolet to the test.

Design and Comfort

While the DS3 is based on the inoffensive C3, Citroen has stretched the wheelbase slightly, tweaked the suspension settings and popped a more dramatic three-door body on top. Consequently, the car is, strangely, 88mm longer than the five-door. It is, however, substantially lengthier than the MINI – by 249mm.

Even in the test car’s base model DStyle trim, the DS3 Cabriolet looks stylish without being garish. The recent update brings three-dimensional light signature inspired by those found on the Revolte concept. The 3D LED taillight technology has 31 LEDs in the central part of the light and 15 LEDs in the blade on the upper part of the light housing. The effect is both stylish and mesmerising.

Like all DS3s, the centre hub and key fob is colour coded to the body colour, while the canvas roof is available in a trio of colours, with the test car equipped with what Citroen calls Bleu Infiniti which the company claims is comprised of hues of blue and violet. Matched with a silver paint finish, our DS3 Cabriolet looks decidedly good.

Other notable design cues include vertical LED daytime running lights in the front bumper and a ‘reversed’ B-pillar that points up from the rear to the front, stopping just shy of the roof. Together with blacked-out A-pillars, the effect is a roof that seemingly floats above the car.

Like the rest of the DS range, Citroen has cleverly incorporated its double chevron in the DS3’s grille, with the DS badge sitting above it.

Inside, the cabin is modern and clean, with clear instrumentation presented in front of the driver. However, it is a puzzle to all but Peugeot/Citroen as to why they persist with the clumsy dongles behind the steering wheel for cruise and audio control.

Like the Fiat 500 Cabriolet, the DS3 Cabrio’s isn’t strictly an open top in the true sense of the word, because the car’s main pillars – B and C – are still very much in place. It’s more akin to a giant sunroof that slides all the way to the back of the car, stopping at the C-pillars. A further push of the roof-mounted button will see the rear windscreen drop forward and the canvas roof stack on top of it. The whole action takes just 16 seconds to complete. Crucially, it can be done at speeds of up to 120km/h, something which true cabriolet is incapable of. Roof up, the cabin remains relatively quiet until you hit freeway speed.

There is however, one major issue. With the roof stacked, rear vision is reduced to almost zero. Sure, you can just make out the roof line of an approaching bus if you stretch your neck, but you can forget about anything less sizable than it.

Disappointingly, a rear view camera isn’t available even as an option, with only rear parking sensors as standard.

While the DS3 Cabrio may have the largest boot in its class, at 245 litres, its petite opening – due to structural reinforcement added around the boot – makes access a challenge.

Score: 7.0/10

Performance and Handling

The DS3 DStyle, as its name suggests, is more about style than substance. The 1.6-litre VTi four-cylinder petrol engine develops 88kW @ 6,000rpm and 160Nm @ 4,250rpm. It is adequate for a leisurely cruise down the local café strip but is unexciting beyond that.

To make matters worse, it is mated with a 4-speed automatic transmission that is out of date even in 1980. It is deem witted and reluctant to kick down, even in sports mode. There is also a dead plateau when downshifting from 3^rd to 2^nd gear that impinges on the already lack lustre progress.

While its ride quality is acceptably plush on the straights, the DStyle, like its DS5 sibling, has a tendency to understeer in corners. Throw in a splash of wet weather and it can be a bit of a handful, especially with the narrow (195/55 R16) Eco tyres.

The DStyle does, however display good body control with little body roll. Its steering is precise and consistent, although could use a little more feedback.

Those who enjoy driving are advised to dig dipper into their pockets for the dynamically better DS3 DSport. Not only does it come with a more powerful 115kW/240Nm 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine shared with Peugeot and MINI, it is also paired with a 6-speed manual gearbox and tauter suspension.

Score: 6.5/10

Quality

Unlike the significantly more expensive DS5, the development budget didn’t stretch to higher-grade plastic for the dashboard in the DS3, especially for the bottom half. That is however, forgivable since the Fiat 500 suffers from a similar flaw.

Score: 7.0/10

Economy

Our time spent with the little open top cruiser sees the trip computer display 8.7L/100km of average fuel consumption, with a good mix of urban and freeway driving.

Admittedly, like most car testers, the right pedal is given a good prod most of the time. Treated gently, we have no doubt it will return close to the claimed 6.6L/100km.

Citroen has also sweetened the deal with capped servicing costing $360 per year or 20,000km, whichever comes first.

Score: 7.0/10

Features

Standard features in the Citroen DS3 DStyle includes leather bound steering wheel, 16-inch “Ashera” alloy wheels, cruise control with speed limiter, Bluetooth, satellite navigation, aluminium pedals, automatic climate control and built-in air-freshener.

The DSport adds 17-inch “Bellone” black alloy wheels, interior LED mood lighting and HIFI System with 7 speakers and subwoofer.

Score: 8.0/10

Verdict

The Citroen DS3 will have no trouble competing with its rivals on style. It delivers a comfortable ride and competent handling, although the latter is only true in the more expensive DSport model.

Yes, it might be cheaper than the MINI Cabriolet, but it also lacks the British marque’s (although German engineered) brand credibility, dynamics and resale value.

What the DS3 brings to the table is a credible alternative to its mainstream rivals.