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BMW iX1 vs DS 3 E-Tense
Selected trimPallasChange trim248 mi · 54 kWh · £36,995
At a glance
In this comparison, BMW iX1 leads on value for money, motorway range and family practicality, while the DS 3 E-Tense leads on city driving.
Which should you choose?
Choose the BMW iX1 if...
- you want the most for your money - best overall spec per pound
- you do long motorway journeys - it has the best estimated real-world range at speed
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
- you need the fastest charging of these options
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 1.7p per mile on off-peak electricity
Choose the DS 3 E-Tense if...
- you need the best car for city driving and tight parking
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The BMW iX1 wins almost every category - it's the clear choice unless price is the deciding factor.
ValueBMW
BMW
6.4
DS
4.5
Motorway RangeBMW
BMW
5.9
DS
4.5
FamilyBMW
BMW
7.4
DS
1.9
ChargingBMW
BMW
4.1
DS
3
Cost Per MileBMW
BMW
9.3
DS
8.2
City DrivingDS
BMW
4.6
DS
7.4
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
BMW iX1
eDrive20 Sport
- 72 miles more WLTP range
- 140 litres more boot space
- 30 kW faster rapid charging
- 35 kW more power
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | BMW iX1eDrive20 Sport | DS 3 E-TensePallas |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £37,065 | £36,995 (better) |
| Official range | 320 miles (better) | 248 miles |
| Boot space | 490 L (better) | 350 L |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 29 min (better) | 30 min |
| 0-62 mph | 8.6 sec (better) | 9 sec |
Size Comparison
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BMW iX1
DS 3 E-Tense
Length
BMW iX14,500mm
DS 3 E-Tense4,118mm-382mm
Width
BMW iX11,845mm
DS 3 E-Tense1,802mm-43mm
Height
BMW iX11,616mm
DS 3 E-Tense1,534mm-82mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | BMW iX1eDrive20 Sport | DS 3 E-TensePallas |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,500 mm | 4,118 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,845 mm | 1,802 mm (better) |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,104 mm | 1,988 mm (better) |
| Height | 1,616 mm | 1,534 mm |
| Turning circle | 11.9 m | 10.7 m (better) |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 555 mm spare | 598 mm spare (better) |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | BMW iX1eDrive20 Sport | DS 3 E-TensePallas |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 490 L (better) | 350 L |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1495 L (better) | 1050 L |
| Towing capacity (braked) | Not available | 0 kg |
Full specifications
| Specification |  BMW iX1 eDrive20 Sport |  DS 3 E-Tense Pallas |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.50m | 4.12m-382mm |
| Width | 1.84m | 1.80m-43mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.10m | 1.99m-116mm |
| Height | 1.62m | 1.53m-82mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.69m | 2.56m-134mm |
| Ground Clearance | Not available | 170mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 490L (better) | 350L |
| Boot (seats down) | 1495L (better) | 1050L |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 11.9m | 10.7m (better) |
| Kerb Weight | Not available | 1,550kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 64.7kWh (better) | 54kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 320 mi (better) | 248 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 130kW (better) | 100kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £37,065 | £36,995 (better) |
| Price after EV grant | £33,315 (-£3,750) (better) | £35,495 (-£1,500) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | SUV | SUV |
| Available | 2023+ | 2023+ |
* BMW iX1: 11 kW AC is standard; 22 kW AC was an option.
* BMW iX1: Rating from the BMW X1 (2022), which covers the iX1. An extra pole test on the iX1 showed weak chest protection, without changing the stars.
* BMW iX1: Current figure, after a March 2026 efficiency update. Earlier cars: xDrive30 259-270 miles WLTP, eDrive20 268-296 miles WLTP.
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | BMW iX1eDrive20 Sport | DS 3 E-TensePallas |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 320 miles (better) | 248 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 267 miles (better) | 207 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 29 min (better) | 30 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 130 kW (better) | 100 kW |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Usable battery capacity | 64.7 kWh (better) | 50.8 kWh |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | Not available |
| Battery architecture | 400V | 400V |
| Heat pump | Standard | Not available |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | BMW iX1eDrive20 Sport | DS 3 E-TensePallas |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 8.6 sec (better) | 9 sec |
| Power | 150 kW (better) | 115 kW |
| Torque | 247 Nm | 260 Nm (better) |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
Prices & deals
Calculate your real costs
For a useful running-cost comparison, factor in your mileage, charging access and current petrol or diesel car alongside the EV estimate.
Compare with petrol or diesel
Compare purchase price, energy, road tax and maintenance with a petrol or diesel alternative.
Calculate company-car tax
Work out monthly Benefit-in-Kind using current and future HMRC rates.
Cost per mile
Compare EV charging costs per mile with petrol and diesel using your charging options.
Check a lease quote
Assess the effective monthly cost alongside the list price and expected depreciation.
Safety & ownership confidence
Euro NCAP - BMW iX1 eDrive20 Sport
Tested 2022
Adult Occupant86%
Child Occupant89%
Vulnerable Road Users76%
Safety Assist92%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | BMW iX1eDrive20 Sport | DS 3 E-TensePallas |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,934 km | 160,934 km |
Buying options
Get a quote
BMW iX1
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
DS 3 E-Tense
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
BMW iX1
- £23,7132023Car360View
- £23,2502023Browns of RichmondView
- £25,4492023Browns of RichmondView
DS 3 E-Tense
No active listings.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the BMW iX1 or the DS 3 E-Tense?
The DS 3 E-Tense is £70 cheaper to buy. Running costs are almost identical - about £136 a year either way, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the two land within £10 of each other - effectively the same to own. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the BMW iX1 and DS 3 E-Tense like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 267 miles for the BMW iX1 and 207 miles for the DS 3 E-Tense - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The BMW iX1 goes roughly 60 miles further between charging stops. Both rapid-charge to 80% in a similar time, around 29-30 minutes.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the BMW iX1 or the DS 3 E-Tense?
The DS 3 E-Tense is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 43 mm narrower than the BMW iX1. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 598 mm of total clearance for the DS 3 E-Tense and about 555 mm of total clearance for the BMW iX1. The DS 3 E-Tense also turns in a 1.2 m tighter circle, which helps with U-turns and multi-storey ramps.
Go deeper on each car
Visit the full model pages for owner feedback, expert reviews, used prices and battery-health information.
Compare against other rivals
Compare similarly sized and priced electric cars before finalising your shortlist.
More BMW iX1 comparisons
More DS 3 E-Tense comparisons
See both cars in our rankings
EVcarsguide scores every verified EV on price, range, family use and running costs. Here is where this pair appears.
Where the BMW iX1 and DS 3 E-Tense rank among the cheapest EVs after the grantWhere the BMW iX1 and DS 3 E-Tense rank among the best family EVsWhere the BMW iX1 and DS 3 E-Tense rank among EVs under £40,000Where the BMW iX1 and DS 3 E-Tense rank among the best electric SUVsWhere the BMW iX1 and DS 3 E-Tense rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the BMW iX1 and DS 3 E-Tense rank among the best city EVs
Further reading
Explore buying and ownership guides to help you choose between these electric cars.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .