Car type Official range Wallbox charge time Rapid charge time Electric 199 miles 7hrs 45mins (7.4kW, 0-100%) 30mins (50kW, 10-80%)

DS may not be the most recognisable carmaker in the world right now, but Peugeot, Citroen and Vauxhall's upmarket sister company has ambitions to rival far more familiar brands – ones whose electric models have set the benchmark in their respective segments over the past few years.

Like other PSA Group companies, DS offers its models with a choice of powertrains: the DS 3 Crossback is available as petrol, diesel or purely electric. The E-TENSE badging signifies this as the electric version, and with prices starting at just over £30,000, it stacks up against cars like the Kia e-Niro and MG ZS EV, as well as, potentially, more expensive models from established premium brands.

You see, DS is to Peugeot-Citroen what Audi is to Volkswagen, SEAT and Skoda. Sharing much of its mechanicals with cars like the Peugeot e-2008 and Vauxhall Mokka-e, this DS 3 Crossback E-TENSE is the group’s take on the small premium electric SUV.

But does it offer enough in what's now an extremely competitive and increasingly crowded market? With electric-car buyers seemingly more interested in technology and battery capacity, is a fancy badge and some watch-strap leather enough to make it stand out?