REVIEW | DS 7 - Where Luxury Comes as Standard
The DS 7 is a really smart, sizeable SUV. It looks good on the inside and out, oozes quality and is good to drive. Although, it’s not cheap and a lot of folk will still shrug and say, ”But it’s just an expensive Citroen.”
The last bit may be slightly unfair. Both brands are now part of Stellantis and several other models in the group’s ranges sit on the same platform, but DS is now very much a standalone brand and is marketed as a premium product. And with a premium product comes a premium price.
Part of the problem was when the DS brand returned to the UK, most of the DS showroom areas were in the corner of a much bigger Citroen showroom. It was easy to stand next to a DS and then poke your head over a partition to see a very similar car was available as a Citroen, at a much reduced price. The DS 7 you can see here used to be known as the Crossback, whereas Citroen meanwhile has the Aircross.
However, slowly but surely, the DS image is gaining ground and the latest refresh to the DS 7 has pushed it further away from the Citroen comparisons. Significantly, DS now also has its own dealer sites.
The E-Tense PHEV (plug-in hybrid) is one of my favourites. Three power outputs are available but the one I like is the 360 E-TENSE which rates as the most powerful car that DS has ever produced. When you add together the 1.6-litre petrol engine and battery-driven electric motor, you get a very healthy 350bhp which equates to a 0-60 mph time of 5.6 seconds and a top speed of 146mph. All-wheel drive via an 8-speed auto gearbox means you can use this DS 7 for travelling over damp ground. It also makes the car feel very surefooted if you are pushing on. The ride has been lowered slightly and the dampers have been given a tweak. It doesn’t ruin the ride, fortunately.
If you want a different choice of power you’ll find diesel (128bhp) but no petrol-only on offer. If you want to use petrol it’s a hybrid version you’ll be buying. Hybrid outputs start at 222bhp, moving up to 292 and 350bhp. The diesel and entry-level hybrid are front-wheel drive only while the bigger hybrid models get AWD. You hardly notice when the petrol engine joins the battery party.
In terms of economy, because this DS 7 has a rechargeable battery, you can travel for up to 35 miles in EV (electric vehicle) mode using zero fuel. If you have a daily commute over that sort of distance, you can do it without the engine bursting into life.
The DS 7 trim range is Performance Line, Performance Line+, Rivoli, Opera, Esprit de Voyage and La Premiére.
Every DS 7 is lavishly equipped. The updated DS 7 range gets new-look lights front and rear, while the interior has a new dashboard. The entry-level trim for the 360 E-Tense is Performance Line+ which comes with sat nav, leather upholstery, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, reversing camera, a heated windscreen, powered/heated front seats, and front parking sensors. You get everything you need; honestly, I wouldn’t bother going higher up the range.
The interior certainly looks smart although the rotating analogue clock which appears when you start the car either looks fab or a bit tacky, depending on your taste.
Something that’s worth investigating is a bit of kit called Active Scan Suspension which comes as standard on the higher powered models. Without getting too complicated, it’s best described as a suspension system which uses a camera to scan the road ahead. A computer then figures what sort of suspension settings must be placed on each wheel to maintain a smooth ride. Quite clever huh? Throw some really cushy seats into the equation and you end up with one of the most comfy cars around and one of the quietest too.
Good to drive, wonderfully kitted out interior and the potential for seriously good mpg. The latest DS 7 is better than ever. Prices (Aug 2023) for the DS 7 range start at £36,785 for the diesel. My favourite, the 360 hybrid in Performance+ trim, costs £55,790, which is getting a bit punchy. However, if you like the look of the DS 7, I certainly do, and you want a seriously comfortable, well equipped, quiet SUV with loads of safety kit as standard, the DS 7 will certainly be worth a serious look.
Words: Graham Courtney
Pictures: Citroen
