I can only assume the chap in the Citroen press photo is lost – perhaps wondering why the DS 3 he’s driving doesn’t have sat nav as standard…

One of the dangers of being a motoring writer is that you usually end up testing a vehicle loaded with extras. This week’s Citroen doesn’t have sat nav, probably the first car I’ve driven this year without it. Add around £1,000 if you are interested.

Things I’m liking about the DS 3 are the blindingly good headlights, the easy access to the rear seats despite only three doors, and a decent sized boot.

I’m not liking the lack of DAB radio, the fiddly Bluetooth set-up and some rather cheap feel trim inside the cabin. It’s odd. Some of the materials in this hatchback are top notch – others are cheap and nasty.

The DS 3 is a sister car to the C3 supermini but that’s where the comparisons end – the DS is more of a lifestyle choice than its sensible sibling. Like a racey relation in a Victorian novel, the DS is from the naughtier side of the family.

Well that’s how it’s supposed to look on paper. The DS has the Pat Butcher ear-rings – contrasting coloured door mirrors – and rather a lot of shiny chrome bits on the dashboard.

Buyers can customise the interior trim with a choice of dashboard colours and seat trims. Even the gearknob offers you multiple choice. In fact, you could spend a week on the Citroen website designing your perfect DS3, then delete and start again.

All the extra bits add up though – so don’t get too carried away as you click down the spec sheet…