Model tested: Citroen DS3 1.6 THP 150hp Dsport
Price: £15,900
Date tested: March 2010
Road tester Stuart Milne
 
The 1990s were the days of the small hot hatch, and Citroen vied for position at the head of the pack. Its Saxo embodied the very essence of the hot hatche genre: fast, light, fun and affordable. Ten years later, Citroen is back, with the DS3.

Citroen expects big things of the DS3. It will go into battle with the Mini Cooper and Fiat 500, but unlike those, Citroen refuses to go down the retro route of building a pastiche of an iconic model.

Instead it has created a fashionable hatchback which looks thoroughly modern, and all the better for it. This clean-sheet approach has allowed Citroen to design without being constrained by design cues penned many years ago.

The results are impressive. Even without dipping into the vast list of personalisation options, the Citroen DS3 really stands out from the pack. Its LED daytime running strips - unique in its class - the "shark fin" kick up line on its flanks, and the roof, which appears to float without the aid of pillars, all add up to make this one very distinctive little car.

Citroen wants to emulate the Mini's success with its accessories, and expects many DS3 buyers to choose from different body and roof colour combinations, roof graphics, alloys wheels, interior trim, mats and gear levers. The DS3 is a prime candidate for this kind of individualism, with its funky, fashionable appearance.

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The DS3 has one of the best interiors in a Citroen for a long time, in terms of style and quality. The instrumentation is clear and the piano black dash is attractive, although it'll get grubby quickly.

There's a feeling of space in the front, and a decent-sized boot; the DS3 is offered only as a three-door, which hasn't put off thousands of Mini buyers.

The DS3 is an excellent driver's car, with a well-balanced chassis, and nicely weighted steering that makes it a joy to drive fast. It's the best handling Citroen for years, and outclasses the Alfa Romeo Mito, while matching the Mini Cooper. Even the ride is good: firm but comfortable.

The 150bhp turbocharged 1.6 THP engine offers low-down fizz; the other two petrol engines are a 95bhp 1.4 and a 120bhp 1.6 - diesel options are all 1.6s.

There are three trim levels: Dsign, Dstyle and Dsport; the Dstyle is expected to be the big seller with its air-con, contrasting roof colours, tinted windows and 16-inch alloys.

Prices start at £11,700 rising to £15,900, and even a Dsport with the THP 150 engine and every available option is less than £19,000; only slightly more than a standard Mini Cooper S.

As an all-round package, the DS3 is superbly executed. It blends funky looks with great driving dynamics and an appealing price tag. It could even put Citroen back on the throne as the king of the hot hatch.