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DS Automobiles DS 3 vs VW Golf comparison

Compare performance (156 HP vs 325 HP), boot space and price (29,000 £ vs 28,300 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – DS Automobiles DS 3 or VW Golf?

DS Automobiles DS 3 vs VW Golf: Key differences

DS Automobiles DS 3

  • significantly more electric range
  • marginally lighter
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VW Golf

4.6 (1 Reviews)
rate
  • very slightly cheaper
  • substantially more power
  • significantly more efficient
  • considerably quicker 0–100 km/h
  • very slightly more trunk space
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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.

VW Golf is very slightly cheaper – starting at 28,300 £ , while the DS Automobiles DS 3 costs 29,000 £ . That’s a price difference of around 767 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the VW Golf uses 1.1 L/100km and is significantly more efficient than the DS Automobiles DS 3 with 5 L/100km. The difference is about 3.9 L/100km.

As for electric range, the DS Automobiles DS 3 offers significantly more range – reaching up to 400 km, about 257 km more than the VW Golf.

Golf

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 VW Golf offers substantially more power – delivering 325 HP compared to 156 HP. That’s roughly 169 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the VW Golf is considerably quicker – completing the sprint in 5.3 s, while the DS Automobiles DS 3 takes 9.1 s. That’s about 3.8 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the VW Golf delivers noticeably more torque with 420 Nm compared to 260 Nm. That’s about 160 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 marginally lighter – 1,249 kg compared to 1,307 kg. The difference is around 58 kg.

Looking at boot space, the VW Golf offers very slightly more boot space – 381 L compared to 350 L. That’s a difference of about 31 L.

When it comes to payload, the VW Golf carries very slightly more – 508 kg compared to 466 kg. That’s a difference of about 42 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The VW Golf is far ahead 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 £28,300
Golf

VW Golf

  • Engine Type : Petrol, Petrol MHEV, Diesel, Plugin Hybrid
  • Transmission : Manuel, Automatic
  • Drive Type : Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP : 116 - 325 HP
  • Consumption L/100km : 1.1 - 7.6 L/100km
  • Electric Range : 131 - 143 km
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Frequently compared as well

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DS Automobiles DS 3
VW Golf

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.

VW Golf

The VW Golf remains the everyman’s favourite — cleverly balanced, composed and just posh enough to feel grown-up without pretending to be something it’s not. It slips through town and eats up longer trips with a refined cabin, practical layout and a kindly, capable character that turns everyday driving into something a little bit special.

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Reviews VW Golf

4.6 (1 Reviews)
rate

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

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DS Automobiles DS 3
VW Golf

Costs and Consumption
Price
29,000 - 37,600 £
Price
28,300 - 46,700 £
Consumption L/100km
5 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
1.1 - 7.6 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
15.5 kWh/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
400 km
Electric Range
131 - 143 km
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
19.7 kWh
co2
0 - 112 g/km
co2
25 - 173 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
40 - 50 L

Dimensions and Body
Body Type
SUV
Body Type
Hatchback
Seats
5
Seats
5
Doors
-
Doors
5
Curb weight
1,249 - 1,646 kg
Curb weight
1,307 - 1,662 kg
Trunk capacity
350 L
Trunk capacity
273 - 381 L
Length
-
Length
4,282 - 4,292 mm
Width
1,791 mm
Width
1,789 mm
Height
-
Height
1,463 - 1,483 mm
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
1,129 - 1,230 L
Payload
362 - 466 kg
Payload
438 - 508 kg

Engine and Performance
Engine Type
Petrol MHEV, Electric
Engine Type
Petrol, Petrol MHEV, Diesel, Plugin Hybrid
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, All-Wheel Drive
Power HP
145 - 156 HP
Power HP
116 - 325 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
9.1 - 9.2 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
5.3 - 10.2 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
220 - 270 km/h
Torque
230 - 260 Nm
Torque
220 - 420 Nm
Number of Cylinders
3
Number of Cylinders
4
Power kW
107 - 115 kW
Power kW
85 - 239 kW
Engine capacity
1,199 cm3
Engine capacity
1,498 - 1,984 cm3

General
Model Year
2025
Model Year
2025
CO2 Efficiency Class
C, A
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, C, F, B
Brand
DS Automobiles
Brand
VW
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.