Compare performance (156 HP vs 286 HP), boot space and price (29,500 £ vs 41,500 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – DS Automobiles DS 3 or VW Transporter Bus?
Price and efficiency are key factors when choosing a car – and this is often where the real differences emerge.
DS Automobiles DS 3 is significantly cheaper – starting at 29,500 £ , while the VW Transporter Bus costs 41,500 £ . That’s a price difference of around 11,976 £.
Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the VW Transporter Bus uses 0.8 L/100km and is clearly more efficient than the DS Automobiles DS 3 with 5 L/100km. The difference is about 4.2 L/100km.
In terms of energy consumption, the DS Automobiles DS 3 is significantly more efficient: consuming 15.5 kWh/100km compared to 22.4 kWh/100km for the VW Transporter Bus. That’s a difference of about 6.9 kWh/100km.
As for electric range, the DS Automobiles DS 3 offers slightly more range – reaching up to 400 km, about 76 km more than the VW Transporter Bus.
Under the bonnet, it becomes clear which model is tuned for sportiness and which one takes the lead when you hit the accelerator.
When it comes to engine power, the VW Transporter Bus offers substantially more power – delivering 286 HP compared to 156 HP. That’s roughly 130 HP more horsepower.
When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the VW Transporter Bus is clearly 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 VW Transporter Bus delivers markedly more torque with 415 Nm compared to 260 Nm. That’s about 155 Nm more.
Cabin size, boot volume and payload all play a role in everyday practicality. Here, comfort and flexibility make the difference.
Seats: VW Transporter Bus offers more seats – 8 vs 5.
In terms of curb weight, DS Automobiles DS 3 is substantially lighter – 1,249 kg compared to 1,998 kg. The difference is around 749 kg.
Looking at boot space, the VW Transporter Bus offers significantly more boot space – 763 L compared to 350 L. That’s a difference of about 413 L.
When it comes to payload, the VW Transporter Bus carries considerably more – 1,143 kg compared to 466 kg. That’s a difference of about 677 kg.
The VW Transporter Bus is decisively 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.
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.
detailsThe VW Transporter is the Swiss Army knife of vans — rugged, practical and surprisingly civilized on the road, whether you’re hauling kit for a job or converting it into a weekend camper. It isn’t trying to be glamorous, but its blend of durability, clever packaging and familiar VW charm makes it a sensible choice for buyers who need space without sacrificing driveability.
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Costs and Consumption |
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Price
29,500 - 37,600 £
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Price
41,500 - 85,100 £
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Consumption L/100km
5 L/100km
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Consumption L/100km
0.8 - 9.2 L/100km
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Consumption kWh/100km
15.5 kWh/100km
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Consumption kWh/100km
22.4 - 24.9 kWh/100km
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Electric Range
400 km
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Electric Range
87 - 324 km
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Battery Capacity
-
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Battery Capacity
11.8 - 63.8 kWh
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co2
0 - 112 g/km
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co2
0 - 229 g/km
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Fuel tank capacity
-
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Fuel tank capacity
45 - 60 L
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Dimensions and Body |
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Body Type
SUV
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Body Type
Bus
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Seats
5
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Seats
4 - 8
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Doors
-
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Doors
4 - 5
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Curb weight
1,249 - 1,646 kg
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Curb weight
1,998 - 2,620 kg
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Trunk capacity
350 L
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Trunk capacity
0 - 763 L
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Length
-
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Length
4,973 - 5,450 mm
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Width
1,791 mm
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Width
1,941 - 2,032 mm
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Height
-
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Height
1,907 - 1,997 mm
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Max trunk capacity
-
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Max trunk capacity
3,672 - 4,005 L
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Payload
362 - 466 kg
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Payload
330 - 1,143 kg
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Engine and Performance |
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Engine Type
Petrol MHEV, Electric
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Engine Type
Diesel, Petrol, Plugin Hybrid, Electric
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Transmission
Automatic
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Transmission
Manuel, Automatic
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Transmission Detail
Dual-Clutch Automatic, Reduction Gearbox
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Transmission Detail
Manual Gearbox, Automatic Gearbox, Dual-Clutch Automatic
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Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive
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Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive
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Power HP
145 - 156 HP
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Power HP
110 - 286 HP
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Acceleration 0-100km/h
9.1 - 9.2 s
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Acceleration 0-100km/h
7.4 - 16.9 s
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Max Speed
-
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Max Speed
112 - 200 km/h
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Torque
230 - 260 Nm
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Torque
310 - 415 Nm
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Number of Cylinders
3
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Number of Cylinders
4
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Power kW
107 - 115 kW
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Power kW
81 - 210 kW
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Engine capacity
1,199 cm3
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Engine capacity
1,498 - 2,488 cm3
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General |
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Model Year
2,025 - 2,026
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Model Year
2,024 - 2,025
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CO2 Efficiency Class
C, A
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CO2 Efficiency Class
G, F, B, A
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Brand
DS Automobiles
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Brand
VW
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