Review: Citroen DS3 Cabrio DSport 1.6 THP 155

The DS3 is arguably the best looking and most desirable car in Citroen’s current range so adding a soft-top fabric roof should be a surefire move to up its appeal amongst its relatively fresh-faced target market.

This youthful buyer may also be considering the Fiat 500C, Mini Convertible, or Audi A1, however the latter isn’t currently available as a drop-top.

As the name suggests, the DS3 Cabrio is almost identical to the hatchback supermini.

However, key changes include a smaller boot, which swaps its wide opening hatch boot for an awkwardly narrow slot-like opening, and a compromised acceleration due to the extra weight brought about by the tech required for the retractable roof; more on that later.

Up on the roof

The DS3’s customisable fabric roof can be peeled back to various stages. It can be retracted so only the front occupants are exposed, it can be set back to sit at the top of the rear window, or it can be completely retracted at the expense of your rear view.

Some may complain that the DS3 isn’t a full blown drop-top because the roof pillars are fixed in place, and they’re right.

The clue’s in the name and those in tune with the true definition of ‘cabrio’ will know that it entails a retractable fabric roof, so if you’re after true wind-in-your-hair thrills, look to cabriolets like the Mazda MX-5 or Audi A3.

Lease a DS3 Cabrio for your business from £129.99 a month

Tamed acceleration

Engine options include a 1.56-litre diesel with 120bhp and a 1.2 82bhp Puretech petrol but we’re driving the 1.6 THP 155 petrol, the same engine which was shared by the Mini Cooper before the third gen model arrived early 2014.

With 155bhp and 240Nm of torque at 1,400 rpm, our DS3 Cabrio hits 62mph in 8.2 seconds with a top speed of 132mph. Definitely enough to qualify as a ‘warm hatch’ but in the standard hatch equivalent, which weighs 85kg less, that’s trimmed by almost a second to 7.3s, the same as in the current Mini Convertible (1.6 122PS), which is still MK2-based.

Regardless, the Cabrio certainly shifts quick enough to deliver a lively and enthused drive. The bold yet compact silhouette contributes to its nimble if slightly vague handling which we prefer to the overly weighty Mini Convertible, although when Mini eventually gets round to dropping the top on its third gen Hatch, the tables would almost certainly be turned.

About town, the ride is rigid but comfortable and only really becomes an achy gripe on long journeys.

If strong fuel economy is your thing, the 1.6 120hp diesel DS3 Cabrio can return 78.5mpg on a combined cycle at 94g/km CO2 emissions, unchanged from the standard hatch.

But in this performance-focussed variant, drivers can expect to achieve around half that. Combined fuel consumption is reported at 47.9mpg but we managed just 34.1mpg. CO2 emissions are rated at 137g/km, which means 12 months road tax costs £130. For company car drivers, Benefit in Kind is rated at 20% for 20% taxpayers.

Personal leasing rates start at £159.99 a month

Practicality problems

With 245 litres (just 40 fewer than the hatchback and almost twice the size of the Mini Convertible), boot size isn’t the problem; it’s access.

Inside, the boot measures just over a metre wall-to-wall, but the opening is just 71cm wide. Same again height-wise, there’s 68cm from boot floor to parcel shelf, but there’s only 28cm to squeeze it in.

That means our baby buggy, which easily plonks into the hatch, was a no-go. Physically, there’s enough space for it, in all fairness we could have loaded it by collapsing the passenger seats, but which baby-toting parent has the time for that?

The rest of the interior though is difficult to fault. Again, storage is a weak point with a tiny glovebox and side bins that just about take a can of coke but aesthetically, the cabin is well styled with an impressive build quality that shatters any snipes riding on the jittery reputation of French cars from the past.

The steering wheel is kept bare and basic, a refreshing and welcome break from the ridiculously button-heavy C3 and C4 Picassos, with audio and cruise controls kept below and behind the steering wheel.

Customisation has exploded in recent years and every DS3 rival can be specced to the point that you could go through more than one million models before spotting an identical model.

Our test car came in Whisper Purple with Moondust Grey fabric roof. It may have suited pint-sized pop genius Prince, but we’d have gone for something rather less effeminate and the nine exterior shades and three roof designs available, there’s certain to be a combination that pleases everyone. ]

It’s not the most affordable though. The typical business leasing rate for this DS3 sits at £253.99; that’s more than both the Mini Convertible 1.6 122PS (£219.33) and Fiat 500C 0.9 Twinair (£195.73).

Verdict

For all its flaws, it’s tough to dislike the DS3 Cabrio.

There are two-seater roadsters out there that are more practical than this but its well-sculpted silhouette, slick looks and enthusiastic petrol engine give the DS3 Cabrio an irresistible charm.

Why Citroen wants to segregate it along with the other DS models into a separate luxury-focussed division is baffling but that’s a topic for another time…

Our DS3 at a glance:

Engine: 1598cc 4-cylinder 155bhp 6MT
0-62mph: 8.2 seconds
Top speed: 132mph
Max torque: 240Nm @ 1,400rpm
Combined fuel consumption: 47.9mpg
What we achieved: 34.1mpg
CO2 emissions: 137g/km
Length: 3948mm
Width: 1715mm
Height: 1483mm
Wheelbase: 2464mm
Boot space: 245 litres
Insurance group: 25E
OTR Price: £20,845 (£21,640 as tested)
Starting monthly leasing rate: £129.99 –business, £155.99 personal
Average business leasing rate: £253.99 (6 + 35, 10k miles)
Main rivals: Mini Convertible/Hatch, Fiat 500, Audi A1, Vauxhall Adam

All prices and data correct at time of publication. Leasing rates based on a 24 month/8,000 miles a year contract.