Test Car Specifications
Model: 2023 DS 7 E-Tense 4x4 300 Opera
Price: From £53,790
Engine: 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol plus two electric motors
Transmission: eight-speed automatic, all-wheel drive
Battery: 14.2kWh lithium-ion
Power: 300hp
Torque: 520Nm
Emissions: 26-33g/km
Economy: 193.1-249.8mpg
Range: 38-42 miles
0-62mph: 5.9 seconds
Top speed: 146mph
Boot space: 550 litres
Styling
The DS 7's revamp has seen a new front end applied, with flash new headlights and the Light Veil daytime running lights running down the sides of the front bumper. There's a slightly updated rear end, too, with the DS Automobiles legend stuck across the back. But otherwise, it's more or less the same as its predecessor, which means there's a semi-generic premium SUV shape. However, though the tail lights are unchanged, they still deserve some recognition. Designed to look as though they're breaking out of the bodywork, they create a really striking signature.
Interior
While DS has made noticeable improvements to the 7's exterior design, the interior looks much the same as before. But that isn't too much of a problem, because the cabin was arguably the DS's best quality all along.
As before, there's a massive central touchscreen that sits beneath a BRM clock, which swivels from the dash when you press the engine start button. There's a row of touch-sensitive controls below the screen, too, along with a conventional button for the hazard lights and a kind of rubberised drum that controls the volume.
Then, the driver is faced with much the same steering wheel as before, and there's a digital instrument display. That, along with the touchscreen, has improved in the years since the DS 7 Crossback was launched, but the DS 7 still lags slightly behind some of its rivals in terms of tech. The screens look good, but there's a bit of lag in the touchscreen and the climate control function is a bit clunky, although the satellite navigation system has improved dramatically.
But quality is not a problem, with lots of leather and finely crafted stitching for the eyes to feast on. It's all smartly put together, and it makes the DS feel as premium as the company claims it is. Admittedly, it isn't quite as solid as a BMW or an Audi, but it isn't too far behind, and it can happily compete with the likes of Volvo and Jaguar.
Practicality
Although DS has made some changes to the 7, it's every bit as practical as before, with loads of room in the front thanks to a wide centre console and two exceedingly comfortable seats. Further back, there's more than enough space in the rear for two adults, and with no central transmission tunnel there's just about enough space to squeeze another in between. That third rear seat isn't huge, but it'll do in a pinch. The boot, meanwhile, measures 555 litres in all the plug-in hybrid versions, which is easily enough to compete with the likes of BMW and Audi. And unlike some SUVs, the plug-in hybrid and diesel models have exactly the same amount of cargo capacity.
Performance
The lion’s share of the DS 7 engine range is made up of plug-in hybrids, all of which wear E-Tense badges and are powered by 1.6-litre petrol engines. The cheapest version is the E-Tense 225, with a predictable 225hp, while the E-Tense 300 we tested came with all-wheel drive courtesy of a rear-mounted electric motor. Finally, the range is topped by the E-Tense 360, which uses a similar combination to produce a bit more poke.
Not that the E-Tense 300 is short of that. The sprint from 0-62mph takes 5.9 seconds and the top speed is an ample 146mph, so it’s more than potent enough. You really don’t need anything faster, and DS has worked its magic when it comes to refinement, too. The 1.6-litre hybrid system is seen elsewhere in the Stellantis family, powering the Peugeot 308 and Citroen C5 Aircross, to name but two. In those cars, it can get a bit raucous, and though that’s still true in the DS, it’s nowhere near as bad.
And most of the time, it’s almost silent thanks to the 14.2kWh lithium-ion battery, which allows the car to cover around 40 miles on a charge. Okay, in the real world that’s more like 35, but it’s still decent going and enough to ensure trips around town can be done without burning a drop of petrol. If you can do that, you might get close to the ridiculous claimed efficiency.
If you’re going to spend your time pounding the motorway network, however, you might find the BlueHDi 130 diesel version more to your liking. It’s less powerful than the E-Tense models – significantly so – but performance is just about adequate and it’ll do about 50mpg on the official economy test.
Ride & Handling
Although DS likes to make a fuss about its (quite successful) Formula E team, the DS 7 doesn't exactly put the sport in sports utility vehicle. Soft suspension, light steering and a noticeable bulk ensures it feels pretty docile in a luxurious kind of way. Throw it into a corner and it will roll noticeably, and though it grips pretty well, there's no sense of feel or engagement. This is a car built to soak up the motorway miles, and it does that admirably.
At times, the suspension feels a little too soft, and that means the car shudders as it slumps into potholes and the suspension struggles to respond quickly enough. It isn't the end of the world, but while the DS 7 is very supple at speed, it doesn't always have the finesse DS might advertise around town.
Still, at least the E-Tense 300 and E-Tense 360 offer some all-wheel-drive capability that was missing from the front-drive versions. They aren't about to rival the Land Rover Discovery Sport, but with good tyres wrapped around those alloys they will at least offer more prowess than most customers will ever need.
Value
DS 7 prices start at just over £35,000, which makes it well over £10,000 cheaper than a BMW X3. Compared with a GLC, it’s almost £20,000 cheaper. Admittedly, the more upmarket hybrid models cost well over £50,000 and top-level E-Tense 4x4 360 models cost more than £60,000, but that’s still only on a par with the equivalent BMWs and Mercedes-Benzes.
Of course, the basic DS 7 Performance Line models don’t get all that much kit, but high-end Opera models come with ventilated front seats, a panoramic sunroof and a heated windscreen – essentially everything you expect from a high-end SUV.
Verdict
The new DS 7 has taken everything that was good about the old DS 7 Crossback and improved on it, not least by ditching the superfluous Crossback name. The new touchscreen is better than before, and the styling makes the car look and feel even more upmarket. It will always be a niche option, but it's definitely a viable one.
