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DS 3 E-Tense vs MINI Aceman
Selected trimPallasChange trim248 mi · 54 kWh · £36,995
Selected trimEChange trim191 mi · 38.5 kWh · £28,310
At a glance
In this comparison, DS 3 E-Tense leads on motorway range, while the MINI Aceman leads on value for money, family practicality and running costs.
Which should you choose?
Choose the DS 3 E-Tense if...
- you do long motorway journeys - it has the best estimated real-world range at speed
Choose the MINI Aceman if...
- you want the most for your money - best overall spec per pound
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 1.7p per mile on off-peak electricity
- you need the best car for city driving and tight parking
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The MINI Aceman leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
ValueMINI
DS
4.5
MINI
5.7
Motorway RangeDS
DS
4.5
MINI
3.9
FamilyMINI
DS
1.9
MINI
4.7
Charging
DS
3
MINI
2.9
Too close to call
Cost Per MileMINI
DS
8.2
MINI
9.3
City DrivingMINI
DS
7.4
MINI
8.1
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
DS 3 E-Tense
Pallas
- 57 miles more WLTP range
- 50 litres more boot space
- 25 kW faster rapid charging
- 3.7s quicker 0-62 mph
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | DS 3 E-TensePallas | MINI AcemanE |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £36,995 | £28,310 (better) |
| Official range | 248 miles (better) | 191 miles |
| Boot space | 350 L (better) | 300 L |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 30 min | 29 min (better) |
| 0-62 mph | 9 sec (better) | 12.7 sec |
Size Comparison
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DS 3 E-Tense
MINI Aceman
Length
DS 3 E-Tense4,118mm
MINI Aceman4,079mm-39mm
Width
DS 3 E-Tense1,802mm
MINI Aceman1,754mm-48mm
Height
DS 3 E-Tense1,534mm
MINI Aceman1,514mm-20mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | DS 3 E-TensePallas | MINI AcemanE |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,118 mm | 4,079 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,802 mm | 1,754 mm (better) |
| Width with mirrors out | 1,988 mm | 1,984 mm (better) |
| Height | 1,534 mm | 1,514 mm |
| Turning circle | 10.7 m (better) | 10.8 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 598 mm spare | 646 mm spare (better) |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | DS 3 E-TensePallas | MINI AcemanE |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Rear legroom | Not available | 822 mm |
| Boot space (seats up) | 350 L (better) | 300 L |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1050 L (better) | 1005 L |
| Frunk | Not available | 0 L |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 0 kg | 750 kg (better) |
Full specifications
| Specification |  DS 3 E-Tense Pallas |  MINI Aceman E |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.12m | 4.08m-39mm |
| Width | 1.80m | 1.75m-48mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 1.99m | 1.98m-4mm |
| Height | 1.53m | 1.51m-20mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.56m | 2.61m+48mm |
| Ground Clearance | 170mm | Not available |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 350L (better) | 300L |
| Boot (seats down) | 1050L (better) | 1005L |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Rear Legroom | Not available | 822mm |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 10.7m (better) | 10.8m |
| Kerb Weight | 1,550kg (better) | 1,720kg |
| Towing Capacity | Not available | 750kg (better) |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 54kWh (better) | 38.5kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 248 mi (better) | 191 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 100kW (better) | 75kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £36,995 | £28,310 (better) |
| Price after EV grant | £35,495 (-£1,500) | £28,310 (not eligible) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | SUV | SUV |
| Available | 2023+ | 2024+ |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | DS 3 E-TensePallas | MINI AcemanE |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 248 miles (better) | 191 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 207 miles (better) | 159 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 30 min | 29 min (better) |
| Max rapid charge rate | 100 kW (better) | 75 kW |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Usable battery capacity | 50.8 kWh (better) | 38.5 kWh |
| 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 | MINI AcemanE |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 9 sec (better) | 12.7 sec |
| Power | 115 kW | 135 kW (better) |
| Torque | 260 Nm | 290 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.
DS 3 E-Tense
Pallas
No critic reviews gathered yet for this car.
MINI Aceman
E
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 - MINI Aceman E
Tested 2025
Adult Occupant83%
Child Occupant87%
Vulnerable Road Users77%
Safety Assist79%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | DS 3 E-TensePallas | MINI AcemanE |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | Not available |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,934 km | Not available |
Buying options
Get a quote
DS 3 E-Tense
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
MINI Aceman
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Frequently asked questions
Is the DS 3 E-Tense worth the extra £8,685 over the MINI Aceman?
The DS 3 E-Tense costs £8,685 more than the MINI Aceman. For that premium it adds 57 miles more WLTP range, 25 kW faster peak rapid charging and 50 litres more boot space. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the MINI Aceman comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the DS 3 E-Tense or the MINI Aceman?
The MINI Aceman is £8,685 cheaper to buy. Running costs are almost identical - about £136 a year either way, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the MINI Aceman comes out roughly £8,765 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 MINI Aceman like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 207 miles for the DS 3 E-Tense and 159 miles for the MINI Aceman - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The DS 3 E-Tense goes roughly 48 miles further between charging stops. Both rapid-charge to 80% in a similar time, around 29-30 minutes.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the DS 3 E-Tense or the MINI Aceman?
The MINI Aceman is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 48 mm narrower than the DS 3 E-Tense. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 646 mm of total clearance for the MINI Aceman 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.
More DS 3 E-Tense comparisons
More MINI Aceman 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 MINI Aceman rank among the best family EVsWhere the DS 3 E-Tense and MINI Aceman rank among EVs under £40,000Where the DS 3 E-Tense and MINI Aceman rank among the best electric SUVsWhere the DS 3 E-Tense and MINI Aceman rank among the best small electric carsWhere the DS 3 E-Tense and MINI Aceman rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the DS 3 E-Tense and MINI Aceman rank among the best city 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 .