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Cupra Raval vs DS 3 E-Tense
Selected trimPallasChange trim248 mi · 54 kWh · £36,995
At a glance
In this comparison, Cupra Raval leads on value for money, family practicality and charging speed, while the DS 3 E-Tense leads on running costs.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Cupra Raval if...
- you want the most for your money - best overall spec per pound
- you have a family - it has the best combination of boot space, safety, and rear legroom
- you need the fastest charging of these options
- you need the best car for city driving and tight parking
Choose the DS 3 E-Tense if...
- 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 Cupra Raval leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
ValueCupra
Cupra
5.2
DS
4.5
Motorway Range
Cupra
4.2
DS
4.5
Too close to call
FamilyCupra
Cupra
5.1
DS
1.9
ChargingCupra
Cupra
6.3
DS
3
Cost Per MileDS
Cupra
7.7
DS
8.2
City DrivingCupra
Cupra
8
DS
7.4
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | Cupra RavalV1 37kWh | DS 3 E-TensePallas |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £26,995 (better) | £36,995 |
| Official range | 204 miles | 248 miles (better) |
| Boot space | 441 L (better) | 350 L |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 23 min (better) | 30 min |
| 0-62 mph | 9.5 sec | 9 sec (better) |
Size Comparison
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Cupra Raval
DS 3 E-Tense
Length
Cupra Raval4,046mm-72mm
DS 3 E-Tense4,118mm
Width
Cupra Raval1,784mm-18mm
DS 3 E-Tense1,802mm
Height
Cupra Raval1,514mm-20mm
DS 3 E-Tense1,534mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Cupra RavalV1 37kWh | DS 3 E-TensePallas |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,046 mm | 4,118 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,784 mm (better) | 1,802 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,000 mm | 1,988 mm (better) |
| Height | 1,514 mm | 1,534 mm |
| Turning circle | 10.9 m | 10.7 m (better) |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 616 mm spare (better) | 598 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Cupra RavalV1 37kWh | DS 3 E-TensePallas |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 441 L (better) | 350 L |
| Boot space (seats down) | Not available | 1050 L |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 500 kg (better) | 0 kg |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
Cupra Raval
- 3rd-largest boot among hatchback EVs in our catalogue at 441 L.
- Uses 138 Wh/km on the WLTP cycle, more efficient than 95% of hatchback EVs we track.
DS 3 E-Tense
Not enough peers to make confident percentile claims.
Full specifications
| Specification |  Cupra Raval V1 37kWh |  DS 3 E-Tense Pallas |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.05m | 4.12m+72mm |
| Width | 1.78m | 1.80m+18mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.00m | 1.99m-12mm |
| Height | 1.51m | 1.53m+20mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.60m | 2.56m-41mm |
| Ground Clearance | Not available | 170mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 441L (better) | 350L |
| Boot (seats down) | Not available | 1050L |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 10.9m | 10.7m (better) |
| Kerb Weight | 1,589kg | 1,550kg (better) |
| Towing Capacity | 500kg (better) | Not available |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 38.5kWh | 54kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 204 mi | 248 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 88kW | 100kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £26,995 (better) | £36,995 |
| Price after EV grant | £25,495 (-£1,500) (better) | £35,495 (-£1,500) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | SUV |
| Available | 2026+ | 2023+ |
* Cupra Raval: Not yet Euro NCAP tested as of 2026-05. Limited-production / halo / pre-launch / new-brand models are typically rated some time after general sale.
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Cupra RavalV1 37kWh | DS 3 E-TensePallas |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 204 miles | 248 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 139 miles | 207 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 23 min (better) | 30 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 88 kW | 100 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Energy consumption | 138 Wh/km | Not available |
| Usable battery capacity | 37 kWh | 50.8 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | LFP | Not available |
| Battery architecture | 400V | 400V |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | Cupra RavalV1 37kWh | DS 3 E-TensePallas |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 9.5 sec | 9 sec (better) |
| Power | 99 kW | 115 kW (better) |
| Torque | 264 Nm (better) | 260 Nm |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
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 - Cupra Raval V1 37kWh
Cupra Raval V1 37kWh
Not yet Euro NCAP tested as of 2026-05. Limited-production / halo / pre-launch / new-brand models are typically rated some time after general sale.
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | Cupra RavalV1 37kWh | DS 3 E-TensePallas |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | Not available | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | Not available | 160,934 km |
Buying options
Get a quote
Cupra Raval
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
DS 3 E-Tense
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Frequently asked questions
Is the DS 3 E-Tense worth the extra £10,000 over the Cupra Raval?
The DS 3 E-Tense costs £10,000 more than the Cupra Raval. For that premium it adds 44 miles more WLTP range. The Cupra Raval is not just cheaper - it also offers 91 litres more boot space. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the Cupra Raval comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the Cupra Raval or the DS 3 E-Tense?
The Cupra Raval is £10,000 cheaper to buy. Running costs are almost identical - about £152 a year either way, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the Cupra Raval comes out roughly £10,000 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the Cupra Raval and DS 3 E-Tense like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 139 miles for the Cupra Raval 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 68 miles further between charging stops. Both rapid-charge to 80% in a similar time, around 23-30 minutes.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Cupra Raval or the DS 3 E-Tense?
The two are within 18 mm on width, so neither is meaningfully easier to thread into a tight space. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 616 mm of total clearance for the Cupra Raval 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 Cupra Raval and DS 3 E-Tense rank among the cheapest EVs after the grantWhere the Cupra Raval and DS 3 E-Tense rank among the best family EVsWhere the Cupra Raval and DS 3 E-Tense rank among EVs under £40,000Where the Cupra Raval and DS 3 E-Tense rank among the best small electric carsWhere the Cupra Raval and DS 3 E-Tense rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Cupra Raval and DS 3 E-Tense rank among the best city EVs
If neither is quite right
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Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .