Citroen DS3 Cabrio DSport THP 155 3dr Car Review - April 2013

The 1.6 litre engine has plenty of power and smooth responses, propelling the car from 0-62mph in just 7.3 seconds. The top speed of 133mph is also very good for a car in this field, although at high speeds wind and road noise make their presence felt in the cabin. The steering can be a little lacking in feel at times, and the rough suspension over the bigger bumps means it's not quite as good to drive as the Mini.

Getting comfortable in the car shouldn't be a problem for most drivers, with both seats and steering wheel being fully adjustable, and plenty of legroom in the car. The central console is not only attractive but the big chunky buttons make it easy to use on the go.

One of the real plus points for the DS3 Cabrio is in the looks department, as it is a car which has been designed with several panels and colours that can be customised, along with graphics and decals for more individuality. The big, bold design and the chunky headlight and tail-light clusters are all attractive, while the cabrio roof itself does look good, although it rolls back and folds over itself, rather than folding into a hidden compartment when the top is down.

The level of equipment delivered with this version of the cabrio is very good, with the seventeen-inch alloy wheels certainly adding to the bold young look of the car. The trim pack to add leather seats and satellite navigation is certainly one worth including, but apart from this there is very little to criticise in this version of the DS3 Cabrio.

The extra space to be found in the cabin when compared to the Fiat 500C and the Mini Cabrio certainly makes this a car worthy of consideration, while the folding seats at the back do mean you have the option of carrying some larger items too. Legroom in the rear of the car isn't great, but there is still more space than some rivals and headroom is fine for all but the tallest of passengers.

Although this version of the DS3 is yet to undergo the Euro NCAP safety tests, the DS3 hatchback achieved five stars, and there is little to suggest that the cabrio won't achieve a similarly impressive rating for safety. The car is supplied with plenty of airbags and the solid roof pillars should provide protection even when the roof is down. Citroen has shed the old image of poor reliability and is now often rated amongst the most reliable manufacturers in driver surveys.

This version of the DS3 Cabrio is designed to go head-to-head with the Mini Cooper convertible with its beefy engine and bold styling, and while the price tag of £19,680 may seem quite hefty, it is still fairly good when compared to the Mini itself. As long as you sell the car at the right time of the year, cabrios tend to hold their value quite well, and the bold styling and colours of the DS3 should certainly give it plenty of kerb appeal.

Although the 1.6 litre engine delivers good performance, it isn't too shabby in terms of the running costs either, delivering an average fuel efficiency of 47.9mpg. Although the car is aimed at younger drivers, they may find premiums to be fairly steep as it has an insurance group a little higher than the standard DS3. The car is delivered with a standard three year or sixty thousand mile warranty and a one year roadside breakdown assistance policy.