DS 3 (2010-2019)

Think of the DS 3 as a French Mini. It’s distinctive, fun to drive and has more character than a Ford Fiesta.

You might know it as the Citroen DS3, which was the car’s name when it first went on sale. It was so successful that Citroen decided to create an entire DS brand to separate it from its mainstream cars, which meant that the Citroen DS3 morphed into the car known simply as DS 3.

Details such as the shark fin shape rising between the two side windows, a glitzy grille and sculpted alloy wheels were added to create a small hatchback that offers a large dose of French chic - even to those on a budget.

Whether you prefer this to the Mini’s cute shape, or the Fiat 500’s smooth curves, is up to you - there’s no shortage of choice when it comes to stylish small cars.

Just like its competitors, there were plenty of options for buyers to personalise their DS 3, including different colours for the roof and side mirror surrounds, as well as a choice of alloy wheel designs.

Inside, the materials are more upmarket than what was used on Citroens at the time - though other upmarket small hatchbacks, such as the Audi A1, feel far better quality and feature a much more usable layout of dashboard controls - and those buying one new were able to choose the colour of the dashboard panels.

If you already own a Citroen DS3, then the interior will be familiar; it barely changed since the car was first launched under the Citroen brand.

It’s spacious inside - with plenty of room for four people to sit in comfort - although access to the rear seats is a little awkward because it was only ever available as a three-door car. Its boot is a decent size, at 285 litres, though not as large as that of the VW Polo, for example. 

There’s a wide range of efficient petrol and diesel engines to choose from, so there should be something to suit every driver. These too have been carried over from the Citroen DS3. Most have plenty of power to keep up with motorway traffic and for nipping around town, but they’re also economical and shouldn’t cost the earth to run - particularly the 1.6-litre BlueHDi diesels. 

The DS 3 is enjoyable to drive, matching the promise made by its sporty looks. It feels agile when changing direction in corners but remains comfortable at the same time when the road gets a little bumpier. 

There’s a three-year, 60,000-mile warranty if you have any problems with the DS 3, while Euro NCAP - assessors of a car's crash safety - awarded it a five-star rating when it was originally tested.