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DS Automobiles DS 3 vs Vauxhall Zafira Life comparison

Compare performance (156 HP vs 180 HP), boot space and price (29,500 £ vs 36,000 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – DS Automobiles DS 3 or Vauxhall Zafira Life?

DS Automobiles DS 3 vs Vauxhall Zafira Life: Key differences

DS Automobiles DS 3

  • markedly cheaper
  • considerably more efficient
  • moderately quicker 0–100 km/h
  • substantially lighter
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Vauxhall Zafira Life

  • a bit more power
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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.

DS Automobiles DS 3 is markedly cheaper – starting at 29,500 £ , while the Vauxhall Zafira Life costs 36,000 £ . That’s a price difference of around 6,489 £.

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

Zafira Life

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 Vauxhall Zafira Life offers a bit more power – delivering 180 HP compared to 156 HP. That’s roughly 24 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the DS Automobiles DS 3 is moderately quicker – completing the sprint in 9.1 s, while the Vauxhall Zafira Life takes 10.6 s. That’s about 1.5 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the Vauxhall Zafira Life delivers markedly more torque with 400 Nm compared to 260 Nm. That’s about 140 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: Vauxhall Zafira Life offers more seats – 8 vs 5.

In terms of curb weight, DS Automobiles DS 3 is substantially lighter – 1,249 kg compared to 1,953 kg. The difference is around 704 kg.

When it comes to payload, the Vauxhall Zafira Life carries substantially more – 883 kg compared to 466 kg. That’s a difference of about 417 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The DS Automobiles DS 3 is slightly 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 £29,500
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
Vauxhall Zafira Life

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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Vauxhall Zafira Life

The Opel Zafira Life is a practical, no-nonsense people carrier that wraps flexible space and family-friendly features into a tidy, grown-up package. It’s comfy on long runs, easy to live with day to day, and wears its van roots with surprising style — the kind of sensible buy that still manages to smile.

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DS Automobiles DS 3
Vauxhall Zafira Life

Costs and Consumption

Price
29,500 - 37,600 £
Price
36,000 - 43,300 £
Consumption L/100km
5 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
7.1 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
186 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body

Body Type
SUV
Body Type
Bus
Seats
5
Seats
8
Doors
-
Doors
-
Curb weight
1,249 - 1,646 kg
Curb weight
1,953 - 1,986 kg
Trunk capacity
350 L
Trunk capacity
-
Length
-
Length
-
Width
1,791 mm
Width
2,010 mm
Height
-
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
362 - 466 kg
Payload
877 - 883 kg

Engine and Performance

Engine Type
Petrol MHEV, Electric
Engine Type
Diesel
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission Detail
Dual-Clutch Automatic, Reduction Gearbox
Transmission Detail
Automatic Gearbox
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive
Power HP
145 - 156 HP
Power HP
180 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
9.1 - 9.2 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
10.6 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
-
Torque
230 - 260 Nm
Torque
400 Nm
Number of Cylinders
3
Number of Cylinders
4
Power kW
107 - 115 kW
Power kW
132 kW
Engine capacity
1,199 cm3
Engine capacity
2,184 cm3

General

Model Year
2,025 - 2,026
Model Year
2025
CO2 Efficiency Class
C, A
CO2 Efficiency Class
G
Brand
DS Automobiles
Brand
Vauxhall
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.