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DS 3 E-Tense vs Tesla Model 3
Selected trimPallasChange trim248 mi · 54 kWh · £36,995
Selected trimRWDChange trim332 mi · 60 kWh · £37,990
At a glance
In this comparison, DS 3 E-Tense leads on charging speed and city driving, while the Tesla Model 3 leads on value for money, motorway range and family practicality.
Which should you choose?
Choose the DS 3 E-Tense if...
- you need the fastest charging of these options
- you need the best car for city driving and tight parking
Choose the Tesla Model 3 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 most family-friendly option with good safety and space
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 1.8p per mile on off-peak electricity
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The Tesla Model 3 leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
ValueTesla
DS
4.5
Tesla
6.4
Motorway RangeTesla
DS
4.5
Tesla
5.5
FamilyTesla
DS
1.9
Tesla
7.1
ChargingDS
DS
3
Tesla
2.3
Cost Per MileTesla
DS
8.2
Tesla
8.8
City DrivingDS
DS
7.4
Tesla
4
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Tesla Model 3
RWD
- 84 miles more WLTP range
- 332 litres more boot space
- 75 kW faster rapid charging
- 93 kW more power
- 2.8s quicker 0-62 mph
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | DS 3 E-TensePallas | Tesla Model 3RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £36,995 (better) | £37,990 |
| Official range | 248 miles | 332 miles (better) |
| Boot space | 350 L | 682 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 30 min | Not available |
| 0-62 mph | 9 sec | 6.2 sec (better) |
Size Comparison
View:
Align by:
DS 3 E-Tense
Tesla Model 3
Length
DS 3 E-Tense4,118mm-603mm
Tesla Model 34,721mm
Width
DS 3 E-Tense1,802mm-131mm
Tesla Model 31,933mm
Height
DS 3 E-Tense1,534mm
Tesla Model 31,440mm-94mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | DS 3 E-TensePallas | Tesla Model 3RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,118 mm | 4,721 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,802 mm (better) | 1,933 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | 1,988 mm (better) | 2,088 mm |
| Height | 1,534 mm | 1,440 mm |
| Turning circle | 10.7 m (better) | 11.6 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 598 mm spare (better) | 467 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | DS 3 E-TensePallas | Tesla Model 3RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 350 L | 682 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1050 L | Not available |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 0 kg | 0 kg |
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.
Tesla Model 3
- 2nd-largest boot among saloon EVs in our catalogue at 682 L.
- At 4,721 mm, shorter than 90% of saloon EVs in our UK catalogue.
- Uses 130 Wh/km on the WLTP cycle, more efficient than 100% of saloon EVs we track.
Full specifications
| Specification |  DS 3 E-Tense Pallas |  Tesla Model 3 RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.12m | 4.72m+603mm |
| Width | 1.80m | 1.93m+131mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 1.99m | 2.09m+100mm |
| Height | 1.53m | 1.44m-94mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.56m | Not available |
| Ground Clearance | 170mm | 137mm-33mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 350L | 682L* (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | 1050L | Not available |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 10.7m (better) | 11.6m |
| Kerb Weight | 1,550kg (better) | 1,772kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 54kWh | 60kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 248 mi | 332 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 100kW | 175kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £36,995 (better) | £37,990 |
| Price after EV grant | £35,495 (-£1,500) | £37,990 (not eligible) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | SUV | Saloon |
| Available | 2023+ | 2024+ |
* Tesla Model 3: Tesla publishes 682 L as total cargo volume (boot + frunk, measured to roof) — not directly comparable to standard VDA figures used by other brands.
* Tesla Model 3: Not published by Tesla; verified from multiple independent sources.
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | DS 3 E-TensePallas | Tesla Model 3RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 248 miles | 332 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 207 miles | 229 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 30 min | Not available |
| Max rapid charge rate | 100 kW | 175 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | Not available |
| Energy consumption | Not available | 130 Wh/km |
| Usable battery capacity | 50.8 kWh | 57.5 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | Not available | LFP |
| Battery architecture | 400V | Not available |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | DS 3 E-TensePallas | Tesla Model 3RWD |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 9 sec | 6.2 sec (better) |
| Power | 115 kW | 208 kW (better) |
| Torque | 260 Nm | 340 Nm (better) |
| Drivetrain | FWD | RWD |
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.
Tesla Model 3
RWD
8.5/10
average across 6 reviews
- Auto Express4.5/5
- Electrifying.com9/10
- DrivingElectric4.5/5
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 - Tesla Model 3 RWD
Tested 2025
Adult Occupant90%
Child Occupant93%
Vulnerable Road Users89%
Safety Assist87%
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 | Tesla Model 3RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,934 km | 160,934 km |
Buying options
Get a quote
DS 3 E-Tense
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Tesla Model 3
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
DS 3 E-Tense
No active listings.
Tesla Model 3
- £32,6462025Car360View
- £30,2992025Car360View
- £29,6992025Car360View
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the DS 3 E-Tense or the Tesla Model 3?
The DS 3 E-Tense is £995 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 DS 3 E-Tense comes out roughly £955 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 Tesla Model 3 like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 207 miles for the DS 3 E-Tense and 229 miles for the Tesla Model 3 - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Tesla Model 3 goes roughly 22 miles further between charging stops.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the DS 3 E-Tense or the Tesla Model 3?
The DS 3 E-Tense is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 131 mm narrower than the Tesla Model 3. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 598 mm of total clearance for the DS 3 E-Tense and about 467 mm of total clearance for the Tesla Model 3. The DS 3 E-Tense also turns in a 0.9 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 Tesla Model 3 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 Tesla Model 3 rank among the best family EVsWhere the DS 3 E-Tense and Tesla Model 3 rank among EVs under £40,000Where the DS 3 E-Tense and Tesla Model 3 rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the DS 3 E-Tense and Tesla Model 3 rank among the best city EVsWhere the DS 3 E-Tense and Tesla Model 3 rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the DS 3 E-Tense and Tesla Model 3 rank among EVs with the biggest boots
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .