Test: DS 7 Crossback – French and very avant-garde!

DS 7 Crossback: luxury… exactly!

The silhouette of the test DS 7 Crossback had a unique balance. And a little chrome, but not much. A little muscular, but not too emphasized. Elegant, but not too boring. Original, but not surprising. Since the DS is aiming for a premium segment, the designers didn’t forget about a few eye-catching additions. These include the “diamond” lights at the back and a chrome mustache that beautifully highlights the large front grill. Due to this combination of elements, the number seven attracts attention and provokes discussions. And that was probably the point.

I even heard from a friend that the rear of the DS looks a bit like … Porsche Cayenne. However, I take this comment as an insult. The 7 doesn’t have a single feature that is as tough as a German SUV. However, it has a few accents that I don’t really like. The lights shine purple in the parking lot at night (and no one has that option!), but they look… tired. They are clearly lined and have very large lampshades. Apart from that, I have no reservations about the rear – when it floats with the lights like on the Insignia I, it looks a bit strange.

DS 7 Interiors: Hello, Captain Spock!

Yes, the passenger cabin of the DS 7 definitely looks like space. The buttons on the central tunnel and the ubiquitous geometric shapes and quilting create a cosmic feeling. All these accents put together make the DS SUV unlike any other vehicle I’ve ever driven. On the other hand, despite its cosmic nature, it is very … simple. Ergonomic solutions mean that the driver can simply get into the car and drive. It is not necessary to read the user manual first to know at least the basic options. Everything is clear and easy to manage.

DS 7 is a series of tasteful devices. The analog clock slides out of the console after starting the engine, on the side the door At night, the light decorations are visible and the clocks are slightly visible … a work of modern art. The French thought of small things! That’s why even the back of the steering wheel is lined with soft-touch materials. Does the DS attract attention? Indeed. And he distributes them himself. And all thanks to the sensors mounted on the steering wheel. They investigate actions drivers and check if he, for example, has not fallen asleep while driving.

DS 7 Crossback has 180 horses, and the engine does not roar

Space is the first advantage of the passenger cabin. Another is the amount of space, the quality of the finish and … soundproofing! In the DS 7 you can travel with only the gentle attachment of the powerful 1.6 liter petrol engine. The petrol engine – which I will add as a reminder – can scream loudly, eg in a Peugeot hybrid. What else can be said about the engine? He has a lot of energy. 180 horses is a lot. However, torque is more important. It has a value of 250 Nm and is available at 1,650 rpm. The result is a sprint to the first hundred in a respectable 8.9 seconds.

Continuation of the material below the video

The manufacturer declares that the DS 7 Crossback PureTech 180 consumes 7.2 liters in the combined cycle. I would like to put this result closer to 9 liters. This is the real value that can be found.

The DS 7 mode is heavy. Heavy but comfortable!

Is DS heavy? The weight of the car is more than 1.4 tons. And although the result is not very high, you can clearly feel every kilogram of Saba when driving. Because of this, the SUV does not like sharp curves and can clearly “dive” forward during heavy braking. On the other hand, it brings other benefits to passengers. He does not lose balance. He flows over them. The DS suspension is very soft and therefore very comfortable. This will be appreciated by all drivers who drive the French SUV on low-quality surfaces.

One more interesting thing is about the operating system. The engineers really couldn’t decide whether they cared more about driving ease or precision. That’s why they decided… to combine all these features in one car. As a result, at low speeds the steering wheel turns without even the slightest resistance. On the road – when the speed increases to about 100 km / h – it becomes very difficult and allows the driver to negotiate corners with more confidence.

How much does the DS 7 Crossback cost?

The base DS 7 Crossback costs a minimum of PLN 169,400. However, we did not deal with the basic version. We received a Rivoli variant for testing, equipped with a 180-horsepower gasoline engine. In this case Price list from PLN 209,400. After purchasing the options included in the test car, the amount increases to more than PLN 233,000. zlotys. And is it forbidden? If we take the popular car segment as a comparison, it is not cheap. However, DS wants the premium part. And here the price is clearly pales in comparison with rivals from Mercedes, BMW or Audi.

Test: DS 7 Crossback – overview:

To say that the DS is the most expensive Citroen is not very fair. Especially today, when the creation of connected car databases has reached unprecedented proportions. Following this path, you can easily say that the Audi Q5 is a well-dressed Ateca Seat, and the Mercedes Citan is nothing more than a Renault Kangoo with a star on the hood. This statement is unfair for one more reason. Sometimes it’s the seemingly small details that determine whether you like something – and it may happen that you like one of the twins and not the other…

Although the DS 7 is heavily based on the Citroen C5, Peugeot 3008 and Opel Grandland, it is quite different from them. More original, unique and eye-catching. However, this is definitely not the case for everyone. And although I liked it, I have no doubt that in its case it is difficult and will succeed compared to the technological twins from Stellantis. I think it’s premium? I believe it has one foot in the premium arena and the other in the popular car segment. And with the same high confidence I can say that it is … big!