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DS 3 E-Tense vs Renault 5
Selected trimPallasChange trim248 mi · 54 kWh · £36,995
Selected trimEvolutionChange trim191 mi · 40 kWh · £22,995
At a glance
In this comparison, DS 3 E-Tense stays competitive across the board, while the Renault 5 leads on value for money, family practicality and charging speed.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Renault 5 if...
- you want the most for your money - best overall spec per pound
- 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 1.8p per mile on off-peak electricity
- you drive in the city - it's compact with an excellent turning circle
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The Renault 5 wins almost every category - it's the clear choice unless price is the deciding factor.
ValueRenault
DS
4.5
Renault
6
Motorway Range
DS
4.5
Renault
4.2
Too close to call
FamilyRenault
DS
1.9
Renault
5.9
ChargingRenault
DS
3
Renault
3.5
Cost Per MileRenault
DS
8.2
Renault
8.8
City DrivingRenault
DS
7.4
Renault
8.7
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | DS 3 E-TensePallas | Renault 5Evolution |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £36,995 | £22,995 (better) |
| Official range | 248 miles (better) | 191 miles |
| Boot space | 350 L (better) | 326 L |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 30 min (better) | 31 min |
| 0-62 mph | 9 sec | Not available |
Size Comparison
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DS 3 E-Tense
Renault 5
Length
DS 3 E-Tense4,118mm
Renault 53,922mm-196mm
Width
DS 3 E-Tense1,802mm-6mm
Renault 51,808mm
Height
DS 3 E-Tense1,534mm
Renault 51,498mm-36mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | DS 3 E-TensePallas | Renault 5Evolution |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,118 mm | 3,922 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,802 mm (better) | 1,808 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | 1,988 mm (better) | 2,020 mm |
| Height | 1,534 mm | 1,498 mm |
| Turning circle | 10.7 m | 10.3 m (better) |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 598 mm spare (better) | 592 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | DS 3 E-TensePallas | Renault 5Evolution |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 350 L (better) | 326 L |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1050 L | 1106 L (better) |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 0 kg | 0 kg |
Full specifications
| Specification |  DS 3 E-Tense Pallas |  Renault 5 Evolution |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.12m | 3.92m-196mm |
| Width | 1.80m | 1.81m+6mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 1.99m | 2.02m+32mm |
| Height | 1.53m | 1.50m-36mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.56m | 2.54m-18mm |
| Ground Clearance | 170mm | 145mm-25mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 350L (better) | 326L |
| Boot (seats down) | 1050L | 1106L (better) |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 10.7m | 10.3m (better) |
| Kerb Weight | 1,550kg | 1,463kg (better) |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 54kWh (better) | 40kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 248 mi (better) | 191 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 100kW (better) | 80kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £36,995 | £22,995 (better) |
| Price after EV grant | £35,495 (-£1,500) | £21,495 (-£1,500) (better) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | SUV | Hatchback |
| Available | 2023+ | 2025+ |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | DS 3 E-TensePallas | Renault 5Evolution |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 248 miles (better) | 191 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 207 miles (better) | 160 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 30 min (better) | 31 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 100 kW (better) | 80 kW |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Usable battery capacity | 50.8 kWh (better) | 40 kWh |
| Battery chemistry | Not available | NMC |
| Battery architecture | 400V | Not available |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | DS 3 E-TensePallas | Renault 5Evolution |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 9 sec | Not available |
| Power | 115 kW (better) | 90 kW |
| Torque | 260 Nm (better) | 225 Nm |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests. One car has more review coverage than the other - we show that rather than guessing.
DS 3 E-Tense
Pallas
No critic reviews gathered yet for this car.
Renault 5
Evolution
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
Reviews and videos discuss each model overall; the specifications above apply to your selected trims.
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 - Renault 5 Evolution
Tested 2024
Adult Occupant80%
Child Occupant80%
Vulnerable Road Users76%
Safety Assist68%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | DS 3 E-TensePallas | Renault 5Evolution |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,934 km | 160,934 km |
Buying options
Get a quote
DS 3 E-Tense
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Renault 5
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
DS 3 E-Tense
No active listings.
Renault 5
- £21,6622026Car360View
- £19,8992025Car360View
- £29,6992026Cars2View
Frequently asked questions
Is the DS 3 E-Tense worth the extra £14,000 over the Renault 5?
The DS 3 E-Tense costs £14,000 more than the Renault 5. For that premium it adds 57 miles more WLTP range. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the Renault 5 comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the DS 3 E-Tense or the Renault 5?
The Renault 5 is £14,000 cheaper to buy. Running costs are almost identical - about £144 a year either way, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the Renault 5 comes out roughly £14,040 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the DS 3 E-Tense and Renault 5 like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 207 miles for the DS 3 E-Tense and 160 miles for the Renault 5 - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The DS 3 E-Tense goes roughly 47 miles further between charging stops. Both rapid-charge to 80% in a similar time, around 30-31 minutes.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the DS 3 E-Tense or the Renault 5?
The two are within 6 mm on width, so neither is meaningfully easier to thread into a tight space. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 598 mm of total clearance for the DS 3 E-Tense and about 592 mm of total clearance for the Renault 5. The Renault 5 also turns in a 0.4 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 DS 3 E-Tense comparisons
More Renault 5 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 DS 3 E-Tense and Renault 5 rank among the cheapest EVs after the grantWhere the DS 3 E-Tense and Renault 5 rank among the best family EVsWhere the DS 3 E-Tense and Renault 5 rank among EVs under £40,000Where the DS 3 E-Tense and Renault 5 rank among the best small electric carsWhere the DS 3 E-Tense and Renault 5 rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the DS 3 E-Tense and Renault 5 rank among the best city EVs
If neither is quite right
Explore other verified electric cars that may better suit the priorities this pair does not meet.
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 .