• Ergonomics aren’t the DS 3’s strong suit
• Touchscreen infotainment easy to use
• Good visibility up front thanks to lots of glass

The cabin of the DS 3 was revamped as part of the 2015 facelift, with the main change being far fewer buttons cluttering the dash. The result is a lot cleaner-looking but no easier to use. Go for a quick alteration to the radio’s volume and you’ll automatically go towards the infotainment screen, but you’ll then find yourself fumbling around the bottom of the centre console near the gearlever for volume buttons – helpfully located next to DS’s SOS emergency call-out button.

There’s a control located on the steering column for faster and less-confusing alterations to the media system, although you have to learn where everything is from memory as much of it is invisible from the driver’s seat. The revised 7.0-inch touchscreen itself is responsive to operate and easy to navigate.

Also, ensure you drive a car with an armrest before buying a used DS 3 online. It gets in the way of the gearlever and handbrake, which can become frustrating when driving in traffic. It also removes the only cupholder that’s located between the front seats.

DS 3 comfort

• DS 3 comfort is generally good
• All seats available are very comfortable
• Firm suspension stops it standing out

The DS 3 is inherently a comfortable car. All of the seats available are excellent – even on entry-level models. It’s worth seeking out Prestige specification for the black cloth and Alcantara trim. They’re beautifully supportive and well-bolstered, with a quality-feel.

Finding a comfortable driving position will be easy for some, and difficult for others. There’s a lot of adjustment in the seat, but even in its lowest setting you can feel like you’re sitting quite high up. The pedals feel like they’re positioned close to the driver, meaning the seat needs to go back and, because the steering wheel only adjusts for height, drivers with shorter arms may find the need to lean forwards.

The ride quality is on the firm side, which flies in the face of traditional DS brand values. There’s no getting away from how much the DS 3 likes to crash into bumps in the road. The whole car shifts if you drive over any kind of bump mid-corner.

It’s very wheel size-sensitive, and larger alloys do make lumps and bumps in the road very noticeable, especially on DS 3 Performance versions that have barely any rubber between the alloy wheel and the road, as well as a stiffer suspension set-up.