2023 DS 7 SUV Review
We test an updated version of the stylish DS 7.
A contemporary exterior and sumptuous interior mark the updated DS 7 out from the crowd.
Review
Pros: comfort, interior quality and space
Cons: no purely petrol version, only available as a five-seater
DS Automobiles has increased the pace of introducing new models and, with the DS 4 and DS 9 hitting the road, it’s time for the company’s flagship SUV to come in for a makeover. With the DS brand transitioning towards a fully electric future, most of the DS 7 models are plug-in hybrid, but it also continues to offer a single diesel version.
DS 7 Design
Even though this is only a mid-cycle update, there are enough exterior changes to give the DS 7 a fresh look. At the front there are new LED headlights, which appear slimmer than before, while the reshaped grille is broader and loses the noticeable chrome garnish of the outgoing model.
The most distinctive element of the DS 7’s new face is the ‘Light Veil’, an innovative design that uses laser-etched polycarbonate panels painted on the outside to match the car’s bodywork. At the same time, 33 LEDs shine through four vertical slats, forming an unusual daytime running light feature.
Other aspects of the facelift include new 19-inch wheels as standard, with up to 21-inch wheels available on higher-grade versions. The Crossback name no longer features on the DS 7, nor does the brand’s logo on the rear. Instead, the DS Automobiles wordmark spans the redesigned tailgate.
DS 7 Interior
The interior is where more DS design flair comes to the fore, with high-quality materials and sculpted surfaces. Brightwork defines the centre console, which features switchgear bespoke to DS that has a premium and tactile feel. Surprisingly, the DS 7 retains its old shifter for the eight-speed automatic transmission (which is standard on all DS 7 models) rather than changing to the rocker switch that now appears in other Citroen and Peugeot vehicles that use the same gearbox.
Sportier versions feature generous swathes of black Alcantara that look and feel great. Top-tier versions use lighter colours and leather across the seats and dashboard fascia. Meanwhile, a 12-inch touchscreen reacts quickly to inputs and has a detailed infotainment system that, on hybrid models, includes a variety of energy consumption and charging data. Versions further up the model range include a B.R.M R180 analogue timepiece that rotates through 180 degrees to reveal itself when the ignition is switched on.
In front of the driver is a 12-inch digital instrument panel stylishly presenting all the necessary driving data. There is plenty of adjustment for the steering wheel and driver’s seat, too, along with the availability of heated and cooled seats and a built-in massage function. Passengers in the rear get decent amounts of head- and legroom, while manually reclining the rear seatbacks can make things more comfortable over longer journeys. Despite its size, the DS 7 sticks to being a five-seat SUV, which benefits passenger space and means it has a good amount of luggage room, with a 555-litre boot that can expand to 1,752 litres when required.
DS 7 Performance & Drive
The range-topping DS 7 is a plug-in hybrid with two electric motors augmenting the performance of the 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine. Its 14.2kWh battery provides 58 kilometres of electric range, while the single-motor version can stretch that figure to 69 kilometres. Maximum 360hp and 520Nm outputs give the DS 7 healthy performance stats on paper, including a 0-100km/h dash that takes only 5.6 seconds, but in reality, this is a car that is more about cruising in comfort than outright driving pace.
The large 21-inch ‘Brooklyn’ alloy wheels look good, but don’t do the ride comfort many favours, although DS does fit its Active Scan technology, a camera-based system that watches the road ahead and adjusts the suspension at each corner to compensate for surface imperfections.
What is clear from driving the DS 7, especially at motorway speeds, is that it is fitted with an impressive amount of sound insulation, allowing for quiet conversation at three-figure speeds. When moving under electric power, the acceleration is smooth and linear. As the petrol engine actives when the hybrid mode is required, the switchover is barely noticeable once you’re driving at a steady, relaxed pace.
There is added performance to exploit from that plug-in hybrid system, but the DS 7 never feels ideally set up for faster and more dynamic driving. The automatic transmission seems to get flustered, and the engine sounds coarse and strained when you press on harder. Instead, this car should be driven more sedately if you want to experience it at its best. The single-motor hybrid is a better option and doesn’t feel lacking as a vehicle for daily commuting or longer trips.
DS 7 Pricing
With the DS 7 not due to arrive in Ireland until early 2023 there are no confirmed pricing or specifications. We expect the offering to continue to comprise a single diesel model and at least two plug-in hybrid versions, with a choice of trim levels.
Carzone Verdict: 3/5
The visual changes made to the DS 7 improve the aesthetic appeal, and it remains a car that is more of a considered choice than one of the usual upmarket brands. The materials inside, along with the space and refinement, are all positives, and there’s enough battery range from the hybrid system to cover many drivers’ daily distances.