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DS Automobiles DS 3 vs VW Passat comparison

Compare performance (156 HP vs 272 HP), boot space and price (29,000 £ vs 36,500 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – DS Automobiles DS 3 or VW Passat?

DS Automobiles DS 3 vs VW Passat: Key differences

DS Automobiles DS 3

  • noticeably cheaper
  • clearly more electric range
  • markedly lighter
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VW Passat

5 (3 Reviews)
rate
  • significantly more power
  • clearly more efficient
  • clearly quicker 0–100 km/h
  • significantly 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 often the first things buyers look at. Here it becomes clear which model has the long-term edge – whether at the pump, the plug, or in purchase price.

DS Automobiles DS 3 is noticeably cheaper – starting at 29,000 £ , while the VW Passat costs 36,500 £ . That’s a price difference of around 7,414 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the VW Passat uses 1.2 L/100km and is clearly 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 clearly more range – reaching up to 400 km, about 265 km more than the VW Passat.

Passat

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 Passat offers significantly 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 VW Passat is clearly quicker – completing the sprint in 7.1 s, while the DS Automobiles DS 3 takes 9.1 s. That’s about 2 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the VW Passat delivers markedly more torque with 400 Nm compared to 260 Nm. That’s about 140 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 markedly lighter – 1,249 kg compared to 1,573 kg. The difference is around 324 kg.

Looking at boot space, the VW Passat offers significantly more boot space – 690 L compared to 350 L. That’s a difference of about 340 L.

When it comes to payload, the VW Passat carries moderately more – 577 kg compared to 466 kg. That’s a difference of about 111 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The VW Passat 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 £36,500
Passat

VW Passat

  • Engine Type : Petrol MHEV, Diesel, Plugin Hybrid
  • Transmission : Automatic
  • Drive Type : Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP : 122 - 272 HP
  • Consumption L/100km : 1.2 - 5.8 L/100km
  • Electric Range : 124 - 135 km
DS Automobiles DS 3
VW Passat

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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VW Passat

The VW Passat is the grown-up family car that gets the basics absolutely right — roomy, comfortable and built to handle weekday commutes and weekend getaways without fuss. It won't set your pulse racing, but its calm composure and sensible packaging make it boring in the best possible way: a dependable, no‑drama choice for buyers who value practicality over flash.

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DS Automobiles DS 3
VW Passat

Costs and Consumption

Price
29,000 - 36,100 £
Price
36,500 - 58,500 £
Consumption L/100km
5 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
1.2 - 5.8 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
15.5 kWh/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
400 km
Electric Range
124 - 135 km
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
0 - 112 g/km
co2
28 - 153 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body

Body Type
SUV
Body Type
Estate
Seats
5
Seats
5
Doors
-
Doors
-
Curb weight
1,249 - 1,646 kg
Curb weight
1,573 - 1,858 kg
Trunk capacity
350 L
Trunk capacity
510 - 690 L
Length
-
Length
-
Width
1,791 mm
Width
1,849 mm
Height
-
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
362 - 466 kg
Payload
501 - 577 kg

Engine and Performance

Engine Type
Petrol MHEV, Electric
Engine Type
Petrol MHEV, Diesel, Plugin Hybrid
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission Detail
Dual-Clutch Automatic, Reduction Gearbox
Transmission Detail
Dual-Clutch Automatic
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Power HP
145 - 156 HP
Power HP
122 - 272 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
9.1 - 9.2 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
7.1 - 10.7 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
-
Torque
230 - 260 Nm
Torque
250 - 400 Nm
Number of Cylinders
3
Number of Cylinders
4
Power kW
107 - 115 kW
Power kW
90 - 200 kW
Engine capacity
1,199 cm3
Engine capacity
1,498 - 1,968 cm3

General

Model Year
2025
Model Year
2,024 - 2,025
CO2 Efficiency Class
C, A
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, E, B
Brand
DS Automobiles
Brand
VW
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.