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DS Automobiles DS 3 vs SEAT Leon comparison

Compare performance (156 HP vs 272 HP), boot space and price (29,500 £ vs 24,800 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – DS Automobiles DS 3 or SEAT Leon?

DS Automobiles DS 3 vs SEAT Leon: Key differences

DS Automobiles DS 3

  • significantly more electric range
  • marginally lighter
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SEAT Leon

4.4 (2 Reviews)
rate
  • slightly cheaper
  • substantially more power
  • considerably more efficient
  • moderately quicker 0–100 km/h
  • very slightly more trunk space
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All details on performance, efficiency, range and trunk space can be found in the technical comparison below – including user reviews for both models.

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.

SEAT Leon is slightly cheaper – starting at 24,800 £ , while the DS Automobiles DS 3 costs 29,500 £ . That’s a price difference of around 4,697 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the SEAT Leon uses 1.2 L/100km and is considerably more efficient than the DS Automobiles DS 3 with 5 L/100km. The difference is about 3.8 L/100km.

As for electric range, the DS Automobiles DS 3 offers significantly more range – reaching up to 400 km, about 267 km more than the SEAT Leon.

Leon

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 SEAT Leon offers substantially more power – delivering 272 HP compared to 156 HP. That’s roughly 116 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the SEAT Leon is moderately quicker – completing the sprint in 7.7 s, while the DS Automobiles DS 3 takes 9.1 s. That’s about 1.4 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the SEAT Leon delivers visibly more torque with 360 Nm compared to 260 Nm. That’s about 100 Nm more.

DS 3

Space and Everyday Use:

Whether family car or daily driver – which one offers more room, flexibility and comfort?

Both vehicles offer seating for 5 people.

In terms of curb weight, DS Automobiles DS 3 is marginally lighter – 1,249 kg compared to 1,344 kg. The difference is around 95 kg.

Looking at boot space, the SEAT Leon offers very slightly more boot space – 380 L compared to 350 L. That’s a difference of about 30 L.

When it comes to payload, the SEAT Leon carries a bit more – 521 kg compared to 466 kg. That’s a difference of about 55 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The SEAT Leon is clearly superior overall 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 £24,800
Leon

SEAT Leon

  • Engine Type Petrol, Petrol MHEV, Plugin Hybrid, Diesel
  • Transmission Manuel, Automatic
  • Drive Type Front-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP 116 - 272 HP
  • Consumption L/100km 1.2 - 5.5 L/100km
  • Electric Range 133 km
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DS Automobiles DS 3
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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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Reviews DS Automobiles DS 3

No reviews yet. Share your experience and help others decide.

SEAT Leon

SEAT Leon pairs sharp, modern styling with a cabin that's sensible and slightly sporty, making it an appealing choice for buyers who want flair without fuss. It drives with eager composure and offers a neat balance of comfort and agility, so you get everyday usability with a wink of fun.

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Reviews SEAT Leon

4.4 (2 Reviews)
rate
FaBio
4 Jan 2026, 21:30:20

Mechanically the car is fairly well built, apart from the rear axle.
The air conditioning is effective and visibility is good, while the FR setup paired with the 18" wheels, in my view, hurts comfort — getting in and out can be awkward. Once on board, though, the seats are very comfortable. The infotainment is comprehensive, with a generously sized screen and full-link smartphone connectivity; the factory sat-nav does what it can, but obviously Maps is superior in every way.
All in all, a fun/sporty car that also winks at family life thanks to a roomy boot and modest fuel consumption.

How do you mainly use this car? (optional): Long-distance driver
Efficiency / Consumption & Range
Comfort & Interior
Driving Fun / Performance
Technology & Infotainment
Safety
Practicality / Trunk & Everyday Use
Value for Money

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DS Automobiles DS 3
SEAT Leon

Costs and Consumption
Price
29,500 - 37,600 £
Price
24,800 - 36,800 £
Consumption L/100km
5 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
1.2 - 5.5 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
15.5 kWh/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
400 km
Electric Range
133 km
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
0 - 112 g/km
co2
28 - 126 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body
Body Type
SUV
Body Type
Hatchback
Seats
5
Seats
5
Doors
-
Doors
-
Curb weight
1,249 - 1,646 kg
Curb weight
1,344 - 1,657 kg
Trunk capacity
350 L
Trunk capacity
270 - 380 L
Length
-
Length
-
Width
1,791 mm
Width
1,799 mm
Height
-
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
362 - 466 kg
Payload
473 - 521 kg

Engine and Performance
Engine Type
Petrol MHEV, Electric
Engine Type
Petrol, Petrol MHEV, Plugin Hybrid, Diesel
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission
Manuel, Automatic
Transmission Detail
Dual-Clutch Automatic, Reduction Gearbox
Transmission Detail
Manual Gearbox, Dual-Clutch Automatic
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive
Power HP
145 - 156 HP
Power HP
116 - 272 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
9.1 - 9.2 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
7.7 - 10.5 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
-
Torque
230 - 260 Nm
Torque
220 - 360 Nm
Number of Cylinders
3
Number of Cylinders
4
Power kW
107 - 115 kW
Power kW
85 - 200 kW
Engine capacity
1,199 cm3
Engine capacity
1,498 - 1,968 cm3

General
Model Year
2,025 - 2,026
Model Year
2,024 - 2,026
CO2 Efficiency Class
C, A
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, B
Brand
DS Automobiles
Brand
SEAT
What drive types are available for the DS Automobiles DS 3?

The DS Automobiles DS 3 is offered with Front-Wheel Drive.

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.