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DS 3 E-Tense vs Kia EV2
Selected trimPallasChange trim248 mi · 54 kWh · £36,995
Selected trimAirChange trim281 mi · 61 kWh · £27,995
At a glance
In this comparison, DS 3 E-Tense stays competitive across the board, while the Kia EV2 leads on value for money, motorway range and charging speed.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Kia EV2 if...
- you want the most for your money - best overall spec per pound
- you do long motorway journeys - it has the best estimated real-world range at speed
- you need the fastest charging of these options
- you drive in the city - it's compact with an excellent turning circle
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The Kia EV2 wins almost every category - it's the clear choice unless price is the deciding factor.
ValueKia
DS
4.5
Kia
5.1
Motorway RangeKia
DS
4.5
Kia
5.5
ChargingKia
DS
3
Kia
4.8
Cost Per Mile
DS
8.2
Kia
8.3
Too close to call
City DrivingKia
DS
7.4
Kia
8.8
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Kia EV2
Air
- £9,000 cheaper
- 33 miles more WLTP range
- 50 kW faster rapid charging
- 0.7 m tighter turning circle
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | DS 3 E-TensePallas | Kia EV2Air |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £36,995 | £27,995 (better) |
| Official range | 248 miles | 281 miles (better) |
| Boot space | 350 L | 362 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 30 min | Not available |
| 0-62 mph | 9 sec (better) | 9.5 sec |
Size Comparison
View:
Align by:
DS 3 E-Tense
Kia EV2
Length
DS 3 E-Tense4,118mm
Kia EV24,060mm-58mm
Width
DS 3 E-Tense1,802mm
Kia EV21,800mm-2mm
Height
DS 3 E-Tense1,534mm-41mm
Kia EV21,575mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | DS 3 E-TensePallas | Kia EV2Air |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,118 mm | 4,060 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,802 mm | 1,800 mm (better) |
| Width with mirrors out | 1,988 mm | Not available |
| Height | 1,534 mm | 1,575 mm |
| Turning circle | 10.7 m | 10 m (better) |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 598 mm spare | 600 mm spare (better) |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | DS 3 E-TensePallas | Kia EV2Air |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 350 L | 362 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1050 L | Not available |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 0 kg | Not available |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
DS 3 E-Tense
Not enough peers to make confident percentile claims.
Kia EV2
- At 4,060 mm, shorter than 100% of SUVs in our UK catalogue.
- Eligible for the full £3,750 UK Electric Car Grant, one of 7 SUVs we track that qualifies for the top band.
- One of 33 of 232 UK EVs in our catalogue with V2L (vehicle-to-load) support.
Full specifications
| Specification |  DS 3 E-Tense Pallas |  Kia EV2 Air |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.12m | 4.06m-58mm |
| Width | 1.80m | 1.80m-2mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 1.99m | Not available |
| Height | 1.53m | 1.57m+41mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.56m | 2.56m+7mm |
| Ground Clearance | 170mm | Not available |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 350L | 362L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | 1050L | Not available |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 10.7m | 10.02m (better) |
| Kerb Weight | 1,550kg | Not available |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 54kWh | 61kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 248 mi | 281 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 100kW | 150kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £36,995 | £27,995 (better) |
| Price after EV grant | £35,495 (-£1,500) | £24,245 (-£3,750) (better) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | SUV | SUV |
| Available | 2023+ | 2026+ |
* Kia EV2: 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 | DS 3 E-TensePallas | Kia EV2Air |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 248 miles | 281 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 207 miles | 234 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 30 min | Not available |
| Max rapid charge rate | 100 kW | 150 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Usable battery capacity | 50.8 kWh | 61 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | Not available | NMC |
| Battery architecture | 400V | 400V |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | DS 3 E-TensePallas | Kia EV2Air |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 9 sec (better) | 9.5 sec |
| Power | 115 kW (better) | 100 kW |
| Torque | 260 Nm (better) | 250 Nm |
| 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.
DS 3 E-Tense
Pallas
No critic reviews gathered yet for this car.
Kia EV2
Air
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
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 - Kia EV2 Air
Kia EV2 Air
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 | DS 3 E-TensePallas | Kia EV2Air |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years (better) | 7 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,934 km (better) | 160,000 km |
Buying options
Get a quote
DS 3 E-Tense
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Kia EV2
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Frequently asked questions
Is the DS 3 E-Tense worth the extra £9,000 over the Kia EV2?
The DS 3 E-Tense costs £9,000 more than the Kia EV2. On the headline specs that premium buys little measurable advantage - the two are closely matched on range, charging and space. The Kia EV2 is not just cheaper - it also offers 33 miles more WLTP range and 50 kW faster peak rapid charging. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the Kia EV2 comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the DS 3 E-Tense or the Kia EV2?
The Kia EV2 is £9,000 cheaper to buy. Running costs are almost identical - about £144 a year either way, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the Kia EV2 comes out roughly £9,040 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the DS 3 E-Tense and Kia EV2 like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 207 miles for the DS 3 E-Tense and 234 miles for the Kia EV2 - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Kia EV2 goes roughly 27 miles further between charging stops.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the DS 3 E-Tense or the Kia EV2?
The two are within 2 mm on width, so neither is meaningfully easier to thread into a tight space. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 600 mm of total clearance for the Kia EV2 and about 598 mm of total clearance for the DS 3 E-Tense. The Kia EV2 also turns in a 0.7 m tighter circle, which helps with U-turns and multi-storey ramps.
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.
More DS 3 E-Tense comparisons
More Kia EV2 comparisons
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 DS 3 E-Tense and Kia EV2 rank among the cheapest EVs after the grantWhere the DS 3 E-Tense and Kia EV2 rank among the best family EVsWhere the DS 3 E-Tense and Kia EV2 rank among EVs under £40,000Where the DS 3 E-Tense and Kia EV2 rank among the best electric SUVsWhere the DS 3 E-Tense and Kia EV2 rank among the best small electric carsWhere the DS 3 E-Tense and Kia EV2 rank among the best motorway EVs
If neither is quite right
Explore other verified electric cars that may better suit the priorities this pair does not meet.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .