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DS Automobiles DS 3 vs VW Transporter Bus comparison

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?

DS Automobiles DS 3 vs VW Transporter Bus: Key differences

DS Automobiles DS 3

  • significantly cheaper
  • significantly more efficient
  • slightly more electric range
  • substantially lighter
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VW Transporter Bus

  • substantially more power
  • clearly more efficient
  • clearly quicker 0–100 km/h
  • significantly more trunk space
details

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 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.

Transporter Bus

Engine and Performance:

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.

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.

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.

Who wins the race in the data check?

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.

from £41,500
Transporter Bus

VW Transporter Bus

  • Engine Type Diesel, Petrol, Plugin Hybrid, Electric
  • Transmission Manuel, Automatic
  • Drive Type Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP 110 - 286 HP
  • Consumption L/100km 0.8 - 9.2 L/100km
  • Consumption kWh/100km 22.4 - 24.9 kWh/100km
  • Electric Range 87 - 324 km
DS Automobiles DS 3
VW Transporter Bus

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 Transporter Bus

The 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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DS Automobiles DS 3
VW Transporter Bus

Costs and Consumption

Price
29,500 - 37,600 £
Price
41,500 - 85,100 £
Consumption L/100km
5 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
0.8 - 9.2 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
15.5 kWh/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
22.4 - 24.9 kWh/100km
Electric Range
400 km
Electric Range
87 - 324 km
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
11.8 - 63.8 kWh
co2
0 - 112 g/km
co2
0 - 229 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
45 - 60 L

Dimensions and Body

Body Type
SUV
Body Type
Bus
Seats
5
Seats
4 - 8
Doors
-
Doors
4 - 5
Curb weight
1,249 - 1,646 kg
Curb weight
1,998 - 2,620 kg
Trunk capacity
350 L
Trunk capacity
0 - 763 L
Length
-
Length
4,973 - 5,450 mm
Width
1,791 mm
Width
1,941 - 2,032 mm
Height
-
Height
1,907 - 1,997 mm
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
3,672 - 4,005 L
Payload
362 - 466 kg
Payload
330 - 1,143 kg

Engine and Performance

Engine Type
Petrol MHEV, Electric
Engine Type
Diesel, Petrol, Plugin Hybrid, Electric
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission
Manuel, Automatic
Transmission Detail
Dual-Clutch Automatic, Reduction Gearbox
Transmission Detail
Manual Gearbox, Automatic Gearbox, Dual-Clutch Automatic
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive
Power HP
145 - 156 HP
Power HP
110 - 286 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
9.1 - 9.2 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
7.4 - 16.9 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
112 - 200 km/h
Torque
230 - 260 Nm
Torque
310 - 415 Nm
Number of Cylinders
3
Number of Cylinders
4
Power kW
107 - 115 kW
Power kW
81 - 210 kW
Engine capacity
1,199 cm3
Engine capacity
1,498 - 2,488 cm3

General

Model Year
2,025 - 2,026
Model Year
2,024 - 2,025
CO2 Efficiency Class
C, A
CO2 Efficiency Class
G, F, B, A
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.