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Citroën ë-C3 vs DS 3 E-Tense
Selected trimPallasChange trim248 mi · 54 kWh · £36,995
At a glance
In this comparison, Citroën ë-C3 leads on city driving, while the DS 3 E-Tense leads on motorway range, charging speed and running costs.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Citroën ë-C3 if...
- you need the best car for city driving and tight parking
Choose the DS 3 E-Tense if...
- you do long motorway journeys - it has the best estimated real-world range at speed
- you need the fastest charging of these options
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 1.9p per mile on off-peak electricity
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The DS 3 E-Tense leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
Value
Citroën
4.8
DS
4.5
Too close to call
Motorway RangeDS
Citroën
1.9
DS
4.5
ChargingDS
Citroën
1.3
DS
3
Cost Per MileDS
Citroën
3.4
DS
8.2
City DrivingCitroën
Citroën
8
DS
7.4
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
DS 3 E-Tense
Pallas
- 114 miles more WLTP range
- 70 kW faster rapid charging
- 32 kW more power
- 2.6s quicker 0-62 mph
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | Citroën ë-C3Urban Range | DS 3 E-TensePallas |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £19,995 (better) | £36,995 |
| Official range | 134 miles | 248 miles (better) |
| Boot space | 310 L | 350 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 36 min | 30 min (better) |
| 0-62 mph | 11.6 sec | 9 sec (better) |
Size Comparison
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Citroën ë-C3
DS 3 E-Tense
Length
Citroën ë-C34,015mm-103mm
DS 3 E-Tense4,118mm
Width
Citroën ë-C31,755mm-47mm
DS 3 E-Tense1,802mm
Height
Citroën ë-C31,577mm
DS 3 E-Tense1,534mm-43mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Citroën ë-C3Urban Range | DS 3 E-TensePallas |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,015 mm | 4,118 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,755 mm (better) | 1,802 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | Not available | 1,988 mm |
| Height | 1,577 mm | 1,534 mm |
| Turning circle | 10.6 m (better) | 10.7 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 645 mm spare (better) | 598 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Citroën ë-C3Urban Range | DS 3 E-TensePallas |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 310 L | 350 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | Not available | 1050 L |
| Towing capacity (braked) | Not available | 0 kg |
Full specifications
| Specification |  Citroën ë-C3 Urban Range |  DS 3 E-Tense Pallas |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.01m | 4.12m+103mm |
| Width | 1.75m | 1.80m+47mm |
| Width (mirrors) | Not available | 1.99m |
| Height | 1.58m | 1.53m-43mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.54m | 2.56m+18mm |
| Ground Clearance | Not available | 170mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 310L | 350L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | Not available | 1050L |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 10.6m (better) | 10.7m |
| Kerb Weight | 1,413kg (better) | 1,550kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 30kWh | 54kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 134 mi | 248 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 30kW | 100kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £19,995 (better) | £36,995 |
| Price after EV grant | £18,495 (-£1,500) (better) | £35,495 (-£1,500) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | SUV |
| Available | 2024+ | 2023+ |
* Citroën ë-C3: Euro NCAP crash-safety rating not published. The vehicle has been assessed under the Green NCAP sustainability programme only.
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Citroën ë-C3Urban Range | DS 3 E-TensePallas |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 134 miles | 248 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 94 miles | 207 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 36 min | 30 min (better) |
| Max rapid charge rate | 30 kW | 100 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 7.4 kW | 11 kW (better) |
| Energy consumption | 165 Wh/km | Not available |
| Usable battery capacity | 29.8 kWh | 50.8 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | LFP | Not available |
| Battery architecture | Not available | 400V |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | Citroën ë-C3Urban Range | DS 3 E-TensePallas |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 11.6 sec | 9 sec (better) |
| Power | 83 kW | 115 kW (better) |
| Torque | 120 Nm | 260 Nm (better) |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests. One car has more review coverage than the other - we show that rather than guessing.
Citroën ë-C3
Urban Range
DS 3 E-Tense
Pallas
No critic reviews gathered yet for this car.
Reviews and videos discuss each model overall; the specifications above apply to your selected trims.
Prices & deals
Calculate your real costs
For a useful running-cost comparison, factor in your mileage, charging access and current petrol or diesel car alongside the EV estimate.
Compare with petrol or diesel
Compare purchase price, energy, road tax and maintenance with a petrol or diesel alternative.
Calculate company-car tax
Work out monthly Benefit-in-Kind using current and future HMRC rates.
Cost per mile
Compare EV charging costs per mile with petrol and diesel using your charging options.
Check a lease quote
Assess the effective monthly cost alongside the list price and expected depreciation.
Safety & ownership confidence
Euro NCAP - Citroën ë-C3 Urban Range
Citroën ë-C3 Urban Range
Euro NCAP crash-safety rating not published. The vehicle has been assessed under the Green NCAP sustainability programme only.
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | Citroën ë-C3Urban Range | DS 3 E-TensePallas |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,000 km | 160,934 km (better) |
Buying options
Get a quote
Citroën ë-C3
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
DS 3 E-Tense
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Frequently asked questions
Is the DS 3 E-Tense worth the extra £17,000 over the Citroën ë-C3?
The DS 3 E-Tense costs £17,000 more than the Citroën ë-C3. For that premium it adds 114 miles more WLTP range, 70 kW faster peak rapid charging and 32 kW more power. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the DS 3 E-Tense comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the Citroën ë-C3 or the DS 3 E-Tense?
The Citroën ë-C3 is £17,000 cheaper to buy. The DS 3 E-Tense is cheaper to charge, roughly £152 a year versus £184 for the Citroën ë-C3, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the Citroën ë-C3 comes out roughly £16,840 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the Citroën ë-C3 and DS 3 E-Tense like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 94 miles for the Citroën ë-C3 and 207 miles for the DS 3 E-Tense - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The DS 3 E-Tense goes roughly 113 miles further between charging stops. Both rapid-charge to 80% in a similar time, around 30-36 minutes.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Citroën ë-C3 or the DS 3 E-Tense?
The Citroën ë-C3 is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 47 mm narrower than the DS 3 E-Tense. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 645 mm of total clearance for the Citroën ë-C3 and about 598 mm of total clearance for the DS 3 E-Tense.
Go deeper on each car
Visit the full model pages for owner feedback, expert reviews, used prices and battery-health information.
Compare against other rivals
Compare similarly sized and priced electric cars before finalising your shortlist.
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See both cars in our rankings
EVcarsguide scores every verified EV on price, range, family use and running costs. Here is where this pair appears.
Where the Citroën ë-C3 and DS 3 E-Tense rank among the cheapest EVs after the grantWhere the Citroën ë-C3 and DS 3 E-Tense rank among the best family EVsWhere the Citroën ë-C3 and DS 3 E-Tense rank among EVs under £40,000Where the Citroën ë-C3 and DS 3 E-Tense rank among the best small electric carsWhere the Citroën ë-C3 and DS 3 E-Tense rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Citroën ë-C3 and DS 3 E-Tense rank among the best city EVs
If neither is quite right
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Further reading
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Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .