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DS Automobiles DS 3 vs Mercedes Citan Transporter comparison

Compare performance (156 HP vs 131 HP), boot space and price (29,500 £ vs 21,700 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – DS Automobiles DS 3 or Mercedes Citan Transporter?

DS Automobiles DS 3 vs Mercedes Citan Transporter: Key differences

DS Automobiles DS 3

  • moderately more power
  • only slightly more efficient
  • markedly more efficient
  • markedly more electric range
  • noticeably quicker 0–100 km/h
  • slightly lighter
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Mercedes Citan Transporter

  • noticeably cheaper
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By Achim Sedelmaier

Here’s where it gets real: The technical differences in detail

DS 3

Costs and Efficiency:

Price and efficiency are key factors when choosing a car – and this is often where the real differences emerge.

Mercedes Citan Transporter is noticeably cheaper – starting at 21,700 £ , while the DS Automobiles DS 3 costs 29,500 £ . That’s a price difference of around 7,761 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the DS Automobiles DS 3 uses 5 L/100km and is only slightly more efficient than the Mercedes Citan Transporter with 5.1 L/100km. The difference is about 0.1 L/100km.

In terms of energy consumption, the DS Automobiles DS 3 is markedly more efficient: consuming 15.5 kWh/100km compared to 18.7 kWh/100km for the Mercedes Citan Transporter. That’s a difference of about 3.2 kWh/100km.

As for electric range, the DS Automobiles DS 3 offers markedly more range – reaching up to 400 km, about 110 km more than the Mercedes Citan Transporter.

Citan Transporter

Engine and Performance:

Power, torque and acceleration say a lot about how a car feels on the road. This is where you see which model delivers more driving dynamics.

When it comes to engine power, the DS Automobiles DS 3 offers moderately more power – delivering 156 HP compared to 131 HP. That’s roughly 25 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the DS Automobiles DS 3 is noticeably quicker – completing the sprint in 9.1 s, while the Mercedes Citan Transporter takes 11.7 s. That’s about 2.6 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the Mercedes Citan Transporter delivers only slightly more torque with 270 Nm compared to 260 Nm. That’s about 10 Nm more.

DS 3

Space and Everyday Use:

Cabin size, boot volume and payload all play a role in everyday practicality. Here, comfort and flexibility make the difference.

Both vehicles offer seating for 5 people.

In terms of curb weight, DS Automobiles DS 3 is slightly lighter – 1,249 kg compared to 1,381 kg. The difference is around 132 kg.

When it comes to payload, the Mercedes Citan Transporter carries considerably more – 787 kg compared to 466 kg. That’s a difference of about 321 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The Mercedes Citan Transporter is narrowly ahead in the objective data comparison.
This result only shows which model scores more points on paper – not which of the two cars feels right for you.

from £21,700
Citan Transporter

Mercedes Citan Transporter

  • Engine Type Diesel, Petrol, Electric
  • Transmission Manuel, Automatic
  • Drive Type Front-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP 95 - 131 HP
  • Consumption L/100km 5.1 - 6.9 L/100km
  • Consumption kWh/100km 18.7 - 21.1 kWh/100km
  • Electric Range 262 - 290 km
DS Automobiles DS 3
Mercedes Citan Transporter

Costs and Consumption

View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance

View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body

View detailed analysis

DS Automobiles DS 3

The DS 3 is a chic, compact premium hatch that stands out with couture styling and an interior that feels more boutique than bargain-bin. It serves up a poised, city-friendly drive with plenty of French flair — ideal for buyers who want personality as much as practicality and don’t mind turning heads at the lights.

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Mercedes Citan Transporter

The Mercedes Citan is a practical, city-friendly van that blends Mercedes' premium touches with sensible commercial utility — it's nimble in tight streets, easy to load, and feels more polished than its price suggests. For small-business owners who want something professional-looking without fuss, the Citan is a dependable workhorse that won’t embarrass you at client meetings and is surprisingly pleasant to drive.

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DS Automobiles DS 3
Mercedes Citan Transporter

Costs and Consumption

Price
29,500 - 37,600 £
Price
21,700 - 33,300 £
Consumption L/100km
5 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
5.1 - 6.9 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
15.5 kWh/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
18.7 - 21.1 kWh/100km
Electric Range
400 km
Electric Range
262 - 290 km
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
45 kWh
co2
0 - 112 g/km
co2
0 - 156 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
54 L

Dimensions and Body

Body Type
SUV
Body Type
Cargo Van
Seats
5
Seats
2 - 5
Doors
-
Doors
4 - 5
Curb weight
1,249 - 1,646 kg
Curb weight
1,381 - 1,939 kg
Trunk capacity
350 L
Trunk capacity
-
Length
-
Length
4,498 - 4,922 mm
Width
1,791 mm
Width
1,859 mm
Height
-
Height
1,819 - 1,830 mm
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
2,900 - 3,620 L
Payload
362 - 466 kg
Payload
449 - 787 kg

Engine and Performance

Engine Type
Petrol MHEV, Electric
Engine Type
Diesel, Petrol, Electric
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission
Manuel, Automatic
Transmission Detail
Dual-Clutch Automatic, Reduction Gearbox
Transmission Detail
Manual Gearbox, Dual-Clutch Automatic, Reduction Gearbox
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive
Power HP
145 - 156 HP
Power HP
95 - 131 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
9.1 - 9.2 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
11.7 - 13.8 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
132 - 183 km/h
Torque
230 - 260 Nm
Torque
240 - 270 Nm
Number of Cylinders
3
Number of Cylinders
4
Power kW
107 - 115 kW
Power kW
70 - 96 kW
Engine capacity
1,199 cm3
Engine capacity
1,332 - 1,461 cm3

General

Model Year
2,025 - 2,026
Model Year
2,021 - 2,024
CO2 Efficiency Class
C, A
CO2 Efficiency Class
E, F, D, A
Brand
DS Automobiles
Brand
Mercedes-Benz
DriveDuel uses data analysis and artificial intelligence to evaluate vehicle data and create content. Content is regularly reviewed and improved. The displayed prices are estimates based on German list prices, adjusted to the respective country’s VAT. Country-specific registration taxes are not included. This information is not legally binding.