DS 7 after a facelift. As always, there is a “but”

You can’t refuse a brand DS stubbornness. It is part of a bigger plan. When the DS 7 (at that time with the Crossback note) had its first show, at the exhibition in Geneva, one of the directors told me that building the picture would take up to several years. Perhaps that is why the facelift of this SUV does not introduce any dramatic changes. This means leaving moving elements in the lights, a new look for LED lights and improved multimedia operation. I have already driven the top version with 360 HP – completely different suspension settings make it a real wolf in sheep’s clothing. However, this is not what I expect from a French SUV and to feel French elegance it is worth going a step lower in the configuration.

It has to be admitted – the leather interior finish and the BRM 180 clock that spins when the engine is started. they can make an impression. Anyone who has ever dealt with a Stellantis product can detect the plastics used in small city cars, although you’ll have to try really hard to notice it. Another plus is the seat in the back seat and one of the best driving positions. Unfortunately, soundproofing for the car – although I’m pretty sure this is an issue only this one with a glass roof – ceases to be desired at speeds exceeding 120 km / h. Such noise is unbecoming of a car that aspires to a wide-ranging top class.

I also have a problem with multimedia. What? faster than its predecessor, although it was not a high bar. Surely someone had an idea for them, at least in terms of graphic design. The only thing is that all temperature settings and air flow speed are controlled by touch, through a small menu. Apart from the issue of ergonomics, one would like to see how the French would approach the design of such a panel. Buttons, switches and other functions are good here. This is how we have everything on one screen, and the logic of organizing some elements is still unclear.

While the HP 360 version sticks to corners “like bad”, the weaker versions glide slowly over bumps, gently suppressing pavement imperfections. This also results in an operating system that is very isolated from information. This, of course, is not surprising. The offer of drive units can be a surprise. In the case of “gasoline”, it was limited The 1.6-liter engine is always connected to a plug-in hybrid system. On paper, the values ​​are impressive: 300 HP and 520 Nm from two electric motors theoretically guarantees 100 km / h in less than 6 seconds.

Unfortunately, this power is not felt. Especially because when pressing the gas pedal hard, the car system has to consider how to use the power of the combustion engine and electric motors, and the weight exceeding 1,800 kg does not help either. You certainly cannot deny the versatility of the DS 7. The battery has a capacity of 14.2 kWh and allows you to drive more than 50 km around the city in emission-free mode. A super fast charge will take about two hours.

The price list opens with PLN 199,900 for a car with a diesel engine (1.5 l, 150 HP). “Petrol” is a minimum of PLN 243,000. PLN, and the copy in the picture was valued at about PLN 300,000. zlotys. The presence of a plug-in vehicle significantly increases the price. While in the case of the Mercedes GLC we are talking about a minimum of PLN 250,000. PLN, so the DS (in the case of diesel) competes in price with the Audi Q5 – a car that is already old, but also very popular with customers.