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DS Automobiles DS 3 vs Mercedes V Class comparison

Compare performance (156 HP vs 237 HP), boot space and price (29,000 £ vs 48,200 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – DS Automobiles DS 3 or Mercedes V Class?

DS Automobiles DS 3 vs Mercedes V Class: Key differences

DS Automobiles DS 3

  • clearly cheaper
  • considerably more efficient
  • considerably lighter
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Mercedes V Class

  • visibly more power
  • noticeably quicker 0–100 km/h
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By Achim Sedelmaier

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

DS 3

Costs and Efficiency:

Looking at overall running costs, both models reveal some interesting differences in everyday economy.

DS Automobiles DS 3 is clearly cheaper – starting at 29,000 £ , while the Mercedes V Class costs 48,200 £ . That’s a price difference of around 19,116 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the DS Automobiles DS 3 uses 5 L/100km and is considerably more efficient than the Mercedes V Class with 7.1 L/100km. The difference is about 2.1 L/100km.

V Class

Engine and Performance:

Power, torque and acceleration are the classic benchmarks for car enthusiasts – and here, some clear differences start to show.

When it comes to engine power, the Mercedes V Class offers visibly more power – delivering 237 HP compared to 156 HP. That’s roughly 81 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the Mercedes V Class is noticeably quicker – completing the sprint in 7.4 s, while the DS Automobiles DS 3 takes 9.1 s. That’s about 1.7 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the Mercedes V Class delivers significantly more torque with 500 Nm compared to 260 Nm. That’s about 240 Nm more.

DS 3

Space and Everyday Use:

Beyond pure performance, interior space and usability matter most in daily life. This is where you see which car is more practical and versatile.

Seats: Mercedes V Class offers more seats – 6 vs 5.

In terms of curb weight, DS Automobiles DS 3 is considerably lighter – 1,249 kg compared to 2,192 kg. The difference is around 943 kg.

When it comes to payload, the Mercedes V Class carries substantially more – 908 kg compared to 466 kg. That’s a difference of about 442 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The DS Automobiles DS 3 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 £29,000
DS 3

DS Automobiles DS 3

  • Engine Type : Petrol MHEV, Electric
  • Transmission : Automatic
  • Drive Type : Front-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP : 145 - 156 HP
  • Consumption L/100km : 5 L/100km
  • Consumption kWh/100km : 15.5 kWh/100km
  • Electric Range : 400 km
DS Automobiles DS 3
Mercedes V Class

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 V Class

The V‑Class is the grown-up people mover that blends executive-level comfort with van practicality, ideal for those who want to ferry family and gear without sacrificing luxury. Inside it's plush and flexible, with clever touches that turn long hauls into a comfortable commute and still manage to look serious on the school run.

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DS Automobiles DS 3
Mercedes V Class

Costs and Consumption

Price
29,000 - 36,100 £
Price
48,200 - 83,300 £
Consumption L/100km
5 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
7.1 - 10.2 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
15.5 kWh/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
400 km
Electric Range
-
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
0 - 112 g/km
co2
187 - 232 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body

Body Type
SUV
Body Type
Bus
Seats
5
Seats
6
Doors
-
Doors
-
Curb weight
1,249 - 1,646 kg
Curb weight
2,192 - 2,464 kg
Trunk capacity
350 L
Trunk capacity
-
Length
-
Length
-
Width
1,791 mm
Width
1,928 mm
Height
-
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
362 - 466 kg
Payload
636 - 908 kg

Engine and Performance

Engine Type
Petrol MHEV, Electric
Engine Type
Diesel, Petrol
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission Detail
Dual-Clutch Automatic, Reduction Gearbox
Transmission Detail
Automatic Gearbox
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Power HP
145 - 156 HP
Power HP
163 - 237 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
9.1 - 9.2 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
7.4 - 10.7 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
-
Torque
230 - 260 Nm
Torque
370 - 500 Nm
Number of Cylinders
3
Number of Cylinders
4
Power kW
107 - 115 kW
Power kW
120 - 174 kW
Engine capacity
1,199 cm3
Engine capacity
1,950 - 1,999 cm3

General

Model Year
2025
Model Year
2025
CO2 Efficiency Class
C, A
CO2 Efficiency Class
G
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.