DS No 4 review

Introduction

You’ve probably heard of the song Mambo No 5 and the perfume Chanel No 5. Well, now there’s the DS... No 4. OK, that intro doesn't really work but never mind.

The No 4 name has been introduced as part of a recent facelift – the model was previously known as the DS 4. Other changes include a fresh front end and a new 10.25in driver’s display. There’s also a new plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version and, as before, a fully electric model called the DS No 4 E-tense, which you can read about in our separate review.

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From £432

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What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)

1.2 Hybrid Pallas + Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid e-DSC Euro 6 (s/s) (145 ps)

Expected annual mileage	5000
Term months	60
Deposit months	12
Monthly payment	£432.42
Initial payment	£5,189.04

Step-by-step

Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.

• Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
• Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
• Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end

What you get

When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:

• Full manufacturer’s warranty
• Road tax and roadside assistance included
• No admin fees
• Free returns within 30 days*

In partnership with

£5,189 initial payment, 60 month contract, 5000 miles p/a. Subject to status and conditions.

• Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
• No balloon payments
• Road tax included

What’s stayed the same is the model’s goal of tempting buyers away from the premium-badged heavyweights. The Audi A3, BMW 1 Series and Mercedes A-Class are very popular family cars, and DS considers them the No 4’s main competition.

What’s New?

- March 2026: We drive the DS No 4 for the first time in the UK

- May 2025: Hybrid model output raised from 134bhp to 143bhp

- December 2025: New Performance Line introduces Formula E-inspired design and Alcantara upholstery

- November 2025: First deliveries take place

- August 2025: Orders open for DS No 4. Choice of Pallas, Pallas+, Étoile, Étoile Nappa trims

- May 2025: Facelifted car shown with new name (now DS No 4), refreshed nose design, plug-in hybrid gets 14.6kWh battery for 50-mile electric range

- January 2025: Pallas 55 special edition has hybrid engine, metallic paint, black roof, comfort pack

- June 2024: 134bhp hybrid joins range

- February 2022: First DS 4 deliveries take place

- December 2021: DS 4 orders open; 1.2 Puretech 130, 1.6 Puretech 180 and 225 petrol options. Also plug-in hybrid E-Tense 225 and 1.5 BlueHDi 130 diesel

Overview

The DS No 4 has a few strengths: its generally comfortable ride, lots of standard equipment, a plush and stylish interior and reasonable fuel consumption. However, it costs more than an Audi A3 – a car that's quicker, handles better, and is more spacious inside – and after three years the Audi will have retained more of its value. That's why, if you're a cash buyer, we'd a) suggest buying an Audi A3 instead, or b) only go for a No 4 if you get a healthy discount and stick to the entry-level Hybrid 145 Pallas.

Our pick

1.2 Hybrid Pallas + Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid e-DSC Euro 6 (s/s) (145 ps) review

RRP £32,615

Pros

• Reasonably classy interior
• Good ride
• Well equipped

Cons

• Cramped in the back
• Jerky gearbox
• Rivals handle better

Our pick

1.2 Hybrid Pallas + Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid e-DSC Euro 6 (s/s) (145 ps) review

RRP £32,615

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Performance & drive

What it's like to drive, and how quiet it is

How fast is it and which motor is best?

The entry-level engine in the DS No 4 range is our pick; not because it’s exceptional, it just keeps the cost down.

It’s called the Hybrid 145 and, to avoid any confusion, it’s actually a mild hybrid. That means it can’t run for extended periods on electric power alone; instead, the 1.2-litre petrol engine has help from an electric motor to boost efficiency and performance. Total power is 143bhp and 0-62mph takes 9.5sec, which is actually pretty sluggish next to the similarly priced Audi A3 1.5 TFSI and BMW 1 Series 120.

To get a No 4 with performance on par with those two rivals you’ll need to splash out for the pricier 222bhp Plug-in Hybrid 225. That’ll drop the 0-62mph time to a more sprightly 7.4sec, but its official electric range is a disappointing 50 miles. That’s well short of the Audi A3 TFSIe’s 88 miles, so if you’re a company car driver the No 4 will cost you more in BIK tax – more on that later on though.

Is it agile and is the ride comfortable?

The DS No 4 has relatively soft suspension, which, in general, makes the ride comfortable over a variety of roads. If you’re driving around town it’s supple over speed bumps, and on faster roads things remain settled even over washboard surfaces.

Being soft doesn’t make it very agile, though. The No 4 isn't very responsive as you turn in to corners, the steering doesn’t give you a great sense of connection to the road, and you’ll notice plenty of body lean in bends. If you like to have a bit of fun behind the wheel, you'll find both the sharper A3 and 1 Series are more suitable.

Is it quiet and how easy is it to drive smoothly?

At motorway speeds there’s some mild wind noise but less road noise than you'll hear in an A3. On the whole, the No 4 is a properly hushed cruiser.

The trouble is that the mild hybrid system isn't particularly smooth at slow speeds. If you're driving along on electric power and the car decides it needs to fire up the petrol engine to add some more poke, the transition is often clunky and jerky.

“I appreciate the variety in the engine range but I don’t see any of the available options as class-leading.” – Will Nightingale, Reviews Editor

Interior

The interior layout, fit and finish

What does the interior look like and is it well made?

The DS No 4's interior really puts on a show. It's curvy, uncluttered, and even simple elements like the electric window switches are stylised and add some avant-garde swagger.

Happily, the style is met with a measure of substance. There are plenty of soft-touch surfaces and the build quality feels largely solid as well. There are some cheap-feeling plastics lower down, but the fact is the current Audi A3 and BMW 1 Series aren’t as well finished as they used to be, so the No 4’s interior feels at least as good.

If you value a really top-notch interior, you can actually have something that feels more special for less: check out the smart, upper-trim versions of the Mazda 3 to see what we mean.

Is the driving position comfortable and is it easy to see out?

There’s plenty of adjustment to the steering wheel and driver’s seat – and it’s a comfy seat, too. The cushions are nicely padded and perfect for long trips, although they do lack cornering support: the sports seats in the A3 and 1 Series have bigger bolsters that hug you tighter.

It’s easy to see the standard 10.25in digital driver's display, which shows key information clearly and precisely. On the Étoile trim, it’s supported by a large head-up display that projects your speed onto the windscreen and can be configured to show sat-nav directions.

A smattering of physical buttons on the dashboard and steering wheel aid usability. You still have to adjust the interior temperature via icons on the infotainment screen, though, but at least the icons are bigger and easier to hit than they are in the 1 Series.

You sit slightly higher up in the No 4 than you do a lot of its rivals, which gives you a good view of the road ahead. Rear visibility isn’t quite as good, mind, because the large rear pillars restrict what you can see over your shoulder. Fortunately, all versions get front and rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera to help with manoeuvring.

You also get bright LED headlights as standard, unless you opt for the top-line Étoile trim, in which case they’re upgraded to adaptive Matrix LED headlights that can stay on main beams without blinding other road users.

Are the dashboard and infotainment system easy to use?

The No 4’s 10in infotainment touchscreen is reasonably high definition but the software is laggy – it takes a while to respond to inputs and stalls when scrolling through lists. And while the temperature control icons are large and easy to find while driving, there are plenty of small icons that aren’t as user friendly.

Standard features include a DAB radio, in-built sat-nav, wireless phone charging pad, and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone mirroring. Plus the voice control system runs ChatGPT to drastically increase the chances of it understanding what you're asking for.

“While the interior feels plush on the upper surfaces, some of the scratchy plastics lower down reminded me of cheaper Stellantis-owned brands such as Citroën.” – Lawrence Cheung, New Cars Editor

Passenger & boot space

How it copes with people and clutter

How much space does it have for people?

There's lots of leg and shoulder room in the front of the DS No 4. Head room is decent, but only if you avoid the optional panoramic roof – it drops the height of the roof lining, which can prove to be an issue for anyone tall.

Despite the minimalist dashboard design, you’ll find plenty of storage spaces, including a covered cubby containing two cupholders, a USB port and a wireless charging pad for your phone. The door pockets are a bit stingy, but you’ll still be able to fit a small drinks bottle in them.

Space in the rear is extremely disappointing, sadly. There's virtually no head room, which becomes even worse with the panoramic roof fitted. Anyone over six-feet tall will long for more knee room too. Space under the front seats for feet is a little better, though, which alleviates some of the tightness felt in the back.

How much room does it have for luggage?

The DS No 4 has a ski hatch in the back seats so you can feed in long items and still have space for two rear passengers. The seat backs split and fold down in a 60/40, which is not as versatile as the 40/20/40 split in the Audi A3, Mercedes A-Class and (if you pay extra) the BMW 1 Series.

On the plus side, you get a bigger boot in the No 4 than you do in those rivals. The No 4 Hybrid 145’s boot is 430 litres, which is plenty of space for a buggy or a decent load of shopping, and more spacious than an A3’s (380 litres), A-Class’s (355 litres) or 1 Series’ (300 litres).

Just be aware that the boot space drops to 390 litres if you opt for the Plug-In Hybrid 225 – to make space for the hybrid battery – but that’s also true of its rivals. Indeed, the Audi A3 PHEV’s boot holds a paltry 280 litres.

“I found the ski hatch handy for passengers wanting to reach and grab something out of the boot.” – Dan Jones, Senior Reviewer

Buying & owning

Everyday costs, plus how reliable and safe it is

As a cash buy the entry-level DS No 4 is roughly the same price as the Mercedes A-Class and BMW 1 Series, while costing a bit more than the equivalent Audi A3. But all of those rivals offer more performance for the money, and they're expected to hold their value better after three years, which is why we'd steer you away from buying a No 4 unless you can bag a sizeable discount to sweeten the deal.

If you're determined to buy one, private buyers would be best off with the Hybrid Automatic because it's the cheapest option, the performance is enough, and its official average fuel economy of 54.3mpg is good.

The best option for company car users is the DS No 4 E-Tense, which, like all EVs, sits in the lowest BIK tax bracket. Of the petrol-powered models, though, the Plug-In Hybrid 225 offers the lowest tax. But as we said earlier in this review, its 50-mile electric range isn't as good as rival PHEVs like the A3 TFSIe, which has an 88-mile range and sits in a lower tax band as a result.

We’d stick with entry-level Pallas+ to keep the cost down. And it's not poorly equipped, either, with kit including keyless entry and start, two-zone automatic air conditioning, automatic windscreen wipers, automatic headlights, acoustic laminated side windows and a rear armrest. You also get features we've mentioned already, such as ChatGPT-enchanced voice command system, LED headlights, front and rear parking sensors, rear-view camera, and wireless phone charging.

DS Performance Line adds a few more styling details and rear privacy glass, while Étoile is far too pricey to recommend, unless you're desperate to bag extras like a head-up display and a different style of 19in alloy wheel. There’s also the Étoile Nappa Leather which, as you might have guessed, is like Étoile trim but with Nappa Leather on the seats and other parts of the interior. It also gets electric adjustment for the seats and a heated steering wheel as standard.

Both the DS brand and the No 4 were absent from our most recent What Car? Reliability Survey, so we can't tell you how reliable they will be. As a guide we can point out that the Peugeot and Citroen brands were 10th and 11th out of 30 manufacturers, and the DS No 4 features many shared parts with their cars.

If something were to go wrong, every DS is covered by a three-year, 60,000-mile warranty. That’s near enough on a par with the cover Audi, BMW and Mercedes offer, but rivals including Hyundai and Kia offer cover for far longer – Kia's warranty is up to seven years.

The No 4 scored four stars for safety when it was tested by Euro NCAP in 2022 (back when it was still known as the DS 4), with five stars awarded to the Étoile trim. However, there is no difference in the actual crash protection: it's purely down to the top trim featuring extra safety equipment such as blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert.

“I think it needs to undercut all the German rivals to really make a case for itself.” – Oliver Young, Reviewer

Buy it if…

- You want a classy interior infused with Gallic-inspired design

- You sway towards comfort not sportiness

- You’d need a decent-sized boot

Don’t buy it…

- You want a roomy back seats

- You want a class-leading PHEV electric range

- You want a first-rate driving experience

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