Test Car Specifications
Model: 2022 DS 9 E-Tense 250 Performance Line+
Price: From £40,615
Engine: 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol with one electric motor
Transmission: eight-speed automatic, front-wheel drive
Battery: 15.6kWh
Power: 250hp
Torque: 300Nm
Emissions: 26g/km
Economy: 257mpg
Range: 37 miles
0-62mph: 8.1 seconds
Top speed: 149mph
Boot space: 510 litres
Styling
DS is trying to stand apart from its competitors while still feeling like a premium brand, and that's a difficult tightrope to walk. With the DS 9 it has managed the latter more than the former, and there's something Audi-ish about the way the DS 9 looks. Not that we're complaining too much. From the big grille to the wide shoulders and the slightly rounded silhouette, it's a good-looking thing, finished with lovely touches such as the tail lights that appear to be breaking through the bodywork.
Interior
DS is trying to set itself apart with its interior design, and the DS definitely feels different from the conventional German executive cars. If nothing else, that's because it's an ergonomically mixed bag. The door mirror switches are hidden by your knee, the starter button is a stretch from the driving seat and there's nowhere to brace your hand when you're using the touchscreen, which makes it difficult to operate on the move.
That's an issue, because DS has handed over pretty much every function to that touchscreen display. Buttons are few and far between, with the massive middle screen housing the climate control, hybrid system and infotainment controls. And though the screen looks reasonably fresh, it will feel occasionally hesitant. The navigation system looks old, too, and you'll have more success by plugging in your phone and using the standard Apple CarPlay or Android Auto tech.
But it isn't all bad news. There are some really smart features in the DS's cabin, including the BRM clock that swivels out of the dash when you start the engine and the quality, which is remarkably solid for a French car. Admittedly, it's still a little way behind the Germans, but the gap is not a chasm, and the leather feels fabulous.
Practicality
Aside from its French foibles, the DS 9 is as practical as anything else in its class, in spite of the sloping roofline at the rear. Admittedly, the 515-litre boot doesn't sound especially huge in relation to other similarly sized saloons, but when you compare it with other plug-in hybrids it's considerably more impressive. And rear passenger space is good, too, with enough room to seat four adults without any issues. For kids, the space will be cavernous.
Performance
At present, just one powertrain is being offered for DS 9 customers, and that’s the E-Tense 250 plug-in hybrid. Combining a 1.6-litre petrol engine with an electric motor, it sends 250hp to the front wheels via its eight-speed automatic gearbox. Although the DS is a big car, that’s still enough for a respectable 0-62mph time of 8.1 seconds and a top speed of 149mph.
More importantly, though, the DS comes with a 15.6kWh battery that’s good for up to 37 miles of electric-only motoring before it needs to be recharged. Okay, you probably will only manage about 30 miles in the real world, but that’s still enough for trips to the shops or to pick up the kids from school – all the day-to-day stuff. It also means company car tax rates are cheap and, if the powertrain suits your lifestyle, running costs will also be pretty low.
Ride & Handling
DS makes no bones about its approach to the 9, which involves almost entirely sacrificing handling in favour of comfort. All models get Active Scan suspension as standard, allowing the car to keep an eye on the road surface ahead and set up the suspension accordingly. The system isn’t perfect, but it makes the DS feel very soft and cossetting over most surfaces, albeit at the cost of body control – particularly in Comfort mode.
Despite the softness of the suspension, the DS doesn’t handle too badly. The steering is, admittedly, a bit slow and there isn’t much in the way of feel from the wheel, but outside of Comfort mode the body roll is at least fairly limited, and there’s a sense of stability about the car in general. Exciting it isn’t, and it’s certainly no match for a BMW 5 Series, but it feels secure on the road, and customers will be happy enough with that.
Value
The DS 9 costs much the same as every other executive saloon, with prices starting at around £40,000. That pays for the 'basic' Performance Line+ model, but that still comes with microsuede upholstery and a perforated leather steering wheel, as well as the standard touchscreen infotainment system and heated front seats. Moving up to the Rivoli+, however, gets you leather upholstery, ventilated front seats and clever suspension that scans the road ahead and sets itself up accordingly.
Verdict
There's plenty to like about the DS 9, from its styling to its comfort, and though it can't quite match the standards of the class leaders, it's worthy of its place in the chasing pack. Yes, we'd rather have a BMW 545e, but if we take the Germans out of the equation, the big DS looks like a much more competitive product.
