DS 7 4x4 360 2023 Review | First Drive

DS Automobiles has been producing cars independently of Citroën since 2014, and in that time it has been working hard to establish itself as a premium brand that builds quality and luxurious cars. It feels like a long time since the days of the original DS 3 hatchback, and while that model still exists at the foot of the DS range in a new crossover form, it has over the years been joined by the DS 4, DS 9, and the DS 7.

As the largest car DS currently makes, the DS 7 sits somewhere around the ballpark of a BMW X3 or an Audi Q5 in terms of size, price and performance, but DS has doubled down on its positioning as a premium proposition. That’s reflected firstly in the price, but secondly, in the efforts the designers have made to make it look and, in some cases, feel like it could be a match for a Bentley Bentayga. It’ll take quite something to reach those kinds of heights, but evidence suggests that may well be the goal.

Here we’re going to take a detailed look at how this is all shaping up for the DS 7 in its most capable form, the E-Tense 4x4 360. It’s a plug-in hybrid petrol SUV, but when it’s priced higher than pretty much all of its primary competition, it’s going to need to be good.

Starting with the looks, it does present itself remarkably well. We were testing it out in perfect conditions through the valleys of Emilia-Romagna in Italy, the surroundings were stunning, the DS 7 certainly fits in the foreground of that kind of backdrop.

There’s an inherent class about it, there’s no fuss to the shape, while the finer details at the front and rear don’t fight for your attention. The nose is dominated by the large grille which is made up of the repeated diamond motif that will become familiar throughout this car. The snazzy daytime running light signature guides your attention to the DS logo sat in the middle of it.

It’s a similar story at the back. Rather than the offensive bombardment of polygons, DS has resorted for a more subtle approach that massages the senses rather than assaults them. There’s little to get upset about on the outside, it’s an elegant take on a familiar blueprint.

The cars that the DS 7 will ultimately be judged against, the likes of the X3 and Q5, are all known for their capabilities out on the road, and DS has credentials of its own. This DS 7 360 model has been lowered by 15mm, which is not a lot, but it’s coupled to a sophisticated suspension system (MacPherson at the front, multi-arm at the rear), and the result is a car that begins to feel surprisingly capable for its size.

It's instantly recognisable that this is a far better car through the corners than the standard DS 7. It feels more composed and far more stable through corner entry, and you can rely on it to stick all the way through. Despite its heft as a plug-in hybrid, it feels light on the road. If it's cornering performance that you're after, this is one of the best-handling SUVs you’ll find in the market.

There are five drive modes: Electric, Comfort, Hybrid, Sport and 4x4. Electric gives the entire car a more relaxed feel that carries over into Comfort mode. You’ll notice a softer ride, softer brakes, lighter, less direct steering and a reduced throttle response. Hybrid mode is a middle ground of power from the petrol engine with a similarly laid-back experience through wheel and pedals. Sport mode is where things begin to tighten up. The steering gains a wonderful tactile feel with an ultra-snappy response, while the reaction from throttle inputs becomes more abrupt. In 4x4 mode, you of course gain the benefit of power being sent to all four wheels for a noticeable improvement in stability under braking and on throttle.

Power delivery is smooth and approachable, with plenty of it on tap too thanks to that turbocharged four-cylinder producing 355PS (265kW) and 520Nm (384lb ft), it’s easy to keep up the momentum in this car, and long-distance cruising is an absolute pleasure. We will say, however, that there’s very little character coming from an engine that is there to do a job and nothing more.

The elegance of the exterior continues to some extent on the inside. It’s characterised by smooth surfaces and quality materials. The model we drove was kitted out in the Basalt Black Opera interior available on higher-end Opera and Le Premier models, which essentially covers the entire space in Nappa leather. It doesn’t quite follow the sustainable trend of others in the use of synthetic materials, but the quality of the interior is undeniable.

Touch points have all been well thought out, with a mix of tactile buttons, albeit jarringly shaped, for the windows, start button, drive mode selector and electric handbrake switch, and chrome scroll wheels on the steering wheel for volume cruise control functions. The front seats in our test model were heated, ventilated and electrically adjustable with massage functionality. To get the whole suite of features you’ll be shopping for Esprit De Voyage models and up. The seats themselves are incredibly comfortable, with a chiselled shape that offers plenty of support.

It’s a spacious cabin, with head and leg room for four adults to sit in absolute comfort. There are USB ports in the front and rear for plenty of scope for keeping devices charged. There’s plenty of storage space inside, while the 555-litre boot (growing to 1,752 litres with the seats down) offers plenty of luggage space.

There is of course the obligatory touchscreen, in this case, a 12-inch HD display set into the dash. The infotainment offers 3D sat-nav, voice recognition, Bluetooth connectivity with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay – a major boon – and DAB radio. The system itself is smooth and reacts with precision to your touch, although the touch buttons underneath the screen are too small to be considered user-friendly.

Behind the steering wheel, there’s a second 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and there’s wireless smartphone charging on Opera and Le Premiere models. The standard sound system is a six-speaker setup, but you can opt for a 14-speaker Focal Electra system complete with an eight-inch subwoofer which in our experience sounds fantastic.

The list of safety and driver assistance tech is extensive, with everything from parking sensors to a driver attention warning which will ping up to recommend you take a break every two hours. DS Night Vision, available only in top-of-the-range La Premier spec, will scan the road ahead for hazards when you’re driving in darkness.

There is a lot of work still to be done for DS to hoist itself into the conversation alongside the likes of BMW and Mercedes, but there is more than enough here to understand that the industry should pay close attention to this relatively young French brand. The shackles of Citroën are well and truly broken, and this is now an ambitious manufacturer with a lot of belief in its product.

That belief looks to be fairly well-placed. It is expensive, but that might be the only threat to this car selling as well as it deserves. Is it worth it? Not when you consider what you can get for nigh on £10,000 less.

If, however, money was no object, the DS 7 is to the BMW X3 what Android is to IOS. A polished, functional and incredibly stylish alternative. It looks great, it drives brilliantly, and there really is nothing to dislike about it.