Introduction
What Car? says...
High fashion, chic design and world class food are all things that might well spring to mind when you think of France, but what about the DS 7? Well, it’s fair to say that the brand’s flagship SUV isn’t yet as widely recognised as the Eiffel Tower, but perhaps the latest version will get its name tripping off more tongues.
Since its arrival in 2017, the DS 7 has lost the ‘Crossback’ portion of its name, its trim levels have been shaken up and its engine line-up has been rethought to move with the times, with a heavier emphasis on electrification and low emissions. You can still have a diesel engine, but there are also three plug-in hybrid (PHEV) engines to choose from, each of which combine a 1.6-litre petrol engine with either one or two electric motors – the latter set-up bringing four-wheel drive.
Read on through this review and we’ll let you know exactly what we think, comparing the DS 7 to those rivals in key areas such as performance, handling, interior quality, comfort and reliability. We’ll also let you know which engine and trim we think makes the most sense for the money.
Then, when you’ve chosen the right make and model for you, don’t forget to take a look at our free What Car? New Car Buying Service to find the best deals on pretty any new car, without the need for any awkward haggling. There’s also plenty of new large SUV deals to browse.
FAQs
While the DS 7 was too new to be included in the 2022 What Car? Reliability Survey, Citroën as a brand (DS’ parent company) managed to place 11th out of the 32 included manufacturers. Read more here.
We think the DS 7 to go for is the Performance Line + trim with the E-Tense 225 plug-in hybrid engine. That combination helps to keep costs down while still giving you plenty of standard equipment and a powerful engine that should keep running costs at bay. If you often drive long distances, you might also want to consider the entry-level diesel engine. Read more here.
DS positions itself as a luxury brand, and that shows when it comes to the DS 7’s fit and finish and price tag. As such, the DS 7 considers the Audi Q5, BMW X1 and Lexus NX as its main competitors. Read more here.
If horsepower is important to you, the DS 7’s most powerful plug-in hybrid engine – the E-Tense 4x4 360 – gives you four-wheel drive and 355bhp to play with. Meanwhile, the entry-level diesel gives you 128bhp and the two more modest plug-in hybrids 222bhp and 296bhp respectively. Read more here.
Yes – providing you specify your DS 7 in Performance Line + trim or above. Go for Rivoli and those seats will also be able to give you a massage, while the two top trims also have seat ventilation. Read more here.
| RRP price range | £36,760 - £62,940 |
|---|---|
| Number of trims (see all) | 6 |
| Number of engines (see all) | 4 |
| Available fuel types (which is best for you?) | hybrid, diesel |
| MPG range across all versions | 161.1 - 53.4 |
| Available doors options | 5 |
| Warranty | 3 years / 60000 miles |
| Company car tax at 20% (min/max) | £2,261 / £2,503 |
| Company car tax at 40% (min/max) | £4,523 / £5,007 |
| Available colours |
