DS 7 Crossback 2.0 BlueHDi Grand Chic – new opening

A second 12-inch widescreen screen is located in the center of the dashboard. Therefore, many functions are operated by touch, which is not always easy. Searching through menus and clicking multiple times to turn off the start/stop system or change the climate control temperature can be annoying. In addition, the screen must be regularly cleaned from fingerprints and dust. Moreover, when using the screen, it feels like putting your hand on the gear lever. It is better not to do this, because you can accidentally turn on the “P” mode and be surprised when the light turns green. The window control buttons, as in the DS 5, are located in the central tunnel.

Once you understand it all, you realize that the DS 7 cabin is truly luxurious. No hard, scratchy plastic here. All the equipment is pleasant to the touch, and the dashboard, the center of the steering wheel and even the handles are covered in leather. The driver and front passenger can relax using the massage function (the seats are also ventilated and heated). Passengers traveling in the back are also not harmed. They have separate climate controls, plenty of legroom and an electrically adjustable seat back angle. The trunk capacity is 555 liters (measured with storage room under the floor) and it is a respectable result.

DS 7 Crossback – the champion of comfort

This is not another hard-slung SUV that wants to pretend to be a sports car. The DS 7 Crossback, like the Citroen DS model from 1955, to which the DS brand refers, is intended to provide, above all, good traveling conditions. And so it is. It is very quiet in the cabin. This is due, among other things, to the thick glass that effectively isolates you from street noise and road noise. The advanced Focal sound system, consisting of fourteen speakers, sounds good, although in some brands it can be more dependent (eg Bowers & Wilkins in Volvo).

The test car had a diesel engine. These have recently been regulated, but are still a good choice for this type of car. I will explain why. The 2 liter engine produces around 180 HP and as much as 400 Nm, so it is very good at powering a large SUV. The sprint doesn’t keep you in your seat, but 9.4 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h and high flexibility are enough. This unit also benefits from low fuel consumption. Outside the city, you can achieve a fuel consumption of less than 6 l/100 km without trying too hard. In mixed mode, the volume was 7 liters, so the 55-liter tank will last a long time (the AdBlue tank is 18 liters).

Photo: Adam Mikula / Auto Świat

DS 7 Crossback 2.0 BlueHDi Grand Chic

The 8-speed automatic transmission changes gears efficiently and without jerks. He can also slow down when necessary. The 4×4 drive will be important, because even on dry surfaces, when you press the gas pedal more, the traction control intervenes. Unfortunately, this option is not available in DS… In 2019, a hybrid variant with a drive connected to both axles will be released. Until then, only front-wheel drive versions remained. You can also complain about the lack of big engines, after all, the German brands that DS would like to compete with still offer six-cylinder units.

The DS 7 does not encourage you to drive too fast, but it calms you down and encourages you to appreciate its benefits. The soft suspension effectively absorbs bumps. There are four driving modes to choose from, including “Sport”, which reduces steering assistance, increases dynamics and … artificially changes the sound of the engine – why?! However, also in this setting you can feel that the priority of the engineers was comfort. Even 20-inch rims and low-profile tires don’t make it worse. People who appreciate comfort and don’t mind a rocking body will be happy with this car.

The suspension system is supported by electronics that use cameras and sensors to scan the road surface and analyze driving style to constantly monitor the performance of the shock absorbers. Another novelty in this car class is the DS Night Vision system, which detects pedestrians, cyclists and animals after dark. It does this up to 100 m in front of the car, but such a warning even at the last minute can save someone’s life.

Finally, let’s look at the price list. DS 7 Crossback with more powerful diesel, “automatic” and the highest version of Grand Chic equipment (without accessories) costs around PLN 200,000. zlotys. A fully equipped copy, like the one tested, costs more than PLN 250,000. Expensive for a car from a French brand, but when we look at the competition from the premium segment – not necessarily so. The DS 7 is somewhere in the middle. Is it worth buying? Yes and no. It really depends on individual preference.

Photo: Adam Mikula / Auto Świat

DS 7 Crossback 2.0 BlueHDi Grand Chic

DS 7 Crossback – in our opinion

The DS SUV is distinguished by its original design, carefully finished with high-quality materials, very comfortable and full of exclusive equipment and the latest safety systems. However, it falls a little short of premium – essentially the ability to choose a 4×4 drive and larger capacity engines thanks to sharing technology with Citroen and Peugeot. The 2-liter diesel is a good choice, but the basic gasoline, three-cylinder 1.2 PureTech with 130 HP is probably a joke in this class, which only spoils the image of this model. The DS 7 Crossback is a very good car with a good start. I will follow the further fate of this French brand with interest.

DS 7 Crossback 2.0 BlueHDi Grand Chic – technical data