Name: DS 7 (2018 - present) | Expert Rating | The Car Expert
Item: DS 7
Rating: 61.0

Summary

The DS 7 is a medium-sized SUV/crossover that is also currently the flagship of the DS Automobiles range. It shares its platform with several other models in the PSA family, such as the Peugeot 5008 and Citroën C5 Aircross, but its price and equipment are positioned above its sister brands.

Launching back in early 2018, this was the first SUV from DS Automobiles to be sold on the European market, although it has sold other vehicles in China previously. It was also the first all-new car for DS, as previous models have simply been rebadged Citroëns.

A plug-in hybrid version of the DS 7 was added to the range in the middle of 2019, which now sits alongside a single diesel engine option – traditional petrol models are no longer available.

A mid-life facelift arrived in the UK in late 2022. It brought the usual styling tweaks and trim changes, and DS decided to drop the car’s ‘Crossback’ tag to simplify things.

The DS 7 has received average to good scores from UK media sources. It has been praised for its comfort and quality, but criticised for an uninspiring driving experience. “The DS 7 ticks the boxes regarding quality and comfort”, says Car‘s Dave Humphreys. “It leaves a bit to be desired on the dynamic front, but so long as you’re not hunting down apexes, it’s a comfortable cruiser.”

As of January 2025, the DS 7 holds a New Car Expert Rating of D, with a score of 61%. It scores top marks for its low CO₂ emissions (thanks largely to the plug-in hybrid model). However, its safety score and running costs are only average, while its media reviews are poor.

More DS Automobiles Expert Ratings, new car reviews, news and features

DS 7 highlights

Attractive exterior looks
Spacious and comfortable cabin
Well-equipped as standard
Refined and economical engines

DS 7 lowlights

Some cheap interior materials
Key rivals are cheaper to buy
Uninspiring driving dynamics
No seven-seat models

Key specifications

Body style: Medium SUV/crossover
Engines: diesel, plug-in hybrid
Price: From £38,810 on-road

Launched: Winter 2017/18
Last updated: Winter 2022/23
Replacement due: TBA

Image gallery

Media reviews

Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

The Car Expert+

Score: 7.2 / 10
“The DS 7 Crossback is a well-built, spacious SUV that is knocking on the door of premium. But while it replicates much of what an Audi or BMW can do, it doesn’t do it to the degree that will likely sway those who normally buy Audis or BMWs.”
Read review

Auto Express+

Model reviewed: E-Tense 360 4×4 2023
Score: 6 / 10
“The DS 7’s sharper styling is almost certain to be more palatable to the typical premium SUV buyer, while the car’s most interesting and strongest aspect – its interior – is thankfully largely unchanged. The driving experience still has its drawbacks though, namely an inconsistent ride quality.”
Read review

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“The DS 7 Crossback SUV offers a touch of French luxury to take on its established German rivals.”
Read review

Model reviewed: 225 Performance Line+
Score: 7 / 10
“The exterior and interior changes have improved the DS 7 225 noticeably, and the extra range from the enlarged battery is nice to have. It’s a shame that DS has left the suspension of all but the new range-topping 360 model alone, though, as the ride remains an issue. It’s not cheap, either.”
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Model reviewed: E-Tense 4×4 360
Score: 6 / 10
“DS has done a great job of making this new DS 7 range-topper a competent back-road carver, but it’s a strange place for the brand to focus so much energy when cars lower down the pecking order are crying out for improved suspension. The interior and exterior tweaks across the line-up are welcome, though.”
Read review

Model reviewed: 1.6-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid E-Tense Ultra Prestige
Score: 7 / 10
“Price apart, the E-Tense is now the pick of the DS 7 Crossback range. It’s swift, smooth enough, and the Active Scan suspension seems to work better here than in the standard car.”
Read review

Auto Trader+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“The DS 7 Crossback, a medium SUV, becomes the simpler DS 7 with this wide-ranging update including improved tech and performance from the hybrid engine options. It’s characteristically French, comfortable and different, but also somewhat pricey.” (Erin Baker)
Read review

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6.8 / 10
“The DS 7 Crossback offers a stylish interior, plenty of sophisticated equipment and quiet cruising. However, the diesels are a bit noisy and unresponsive in automatic form, rear legroom is limited, the ride quality is unremarkable and the pricing a bit high for a relatively unknown brand.”
Read review

Business Car+

Model reviewed: Opera E-Tense 4×4 300
Score: 6 / 10
“While the stylish DS & does offer some good points, from a hard-nosed financial point of view it’s difficult to recommend.” (sean Keywood)
Read review

Car+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“If you’re looking for a premium mid-size SUV that’s a bit leftfield, the DS 7 ticks the boxes regarding quality and comfort. It leaves a bit to be desired on the dynamic front, but so long as you’re not hunting down apexes, it’s a comfortable cruiser, and it certainly looks the part.” (Dave Humphreys)
Read review

Model reviewed: PureTech 225 petrol automatic
Score: 6 / 10
“The least expensive Performance Line trim is the best flavour for the PureTech 225 DS 7, not least because it looks more contemporary with satin grey trims in places of the tszujed-up chrome bling on the Prestige versions.”
Read review

Carbuyer+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The DS 7 Crossback is the first French luxury SUV, with suspension that looks out for bumps, and even night vision. It’s also economical and practical.” (Andy Goodwin)
Read review

Carwow+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“The DS 7 Crossback is a stylish alternative to more conventional German SUVs. It’s practical and comfortable to drive, but the infotainment system may send you loopy and you can’t get it with seven seats.”
Read review

Model reviewed: 1.6-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid E-Tense Ultra Prestige
“The DS 7 Crossback E-Tense is a plug-in hybrid version of the quirky-looking DS 7 Crossback SUV. It’ll do 83mph and travel 31-miles in electric mode.”
Read review

Company Car Today+

Model reviewed: 1.5-litre diesel manual Prestige
Score: 7.8 / 10
“The DS 7 Crossback looks good, is well equipped and offers lower emissions figures than rivals’, but is priced a bit high, especially for the higher trims.”
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Daily Mail+

Score: 8 / 10
“Here we have a fun, comfortable and different alternative to the current crop of endless SUVs, which lacks a bit of class in the tech stakes, preferring instead to err on the side of daring haute couture.”
Read review

Daily Mirror+

Model reviewed: 1.6-litre petrol automatic Ultra
“In a market full of top-level SUVs, this one really stands out – mostly because it’s not one of the usual suspects.”
Read review

Discover EV+

Model reviewed: 1.6-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid E-Tense
Score: 7 / 10
“While it’s a few quid more than the BMW X3, the DS 7 Crossback E-Tense undercuts the Audi Q5 and the Volvo XC60. That said, DS Automobile’s plug-in SUV isn’t as polished in terms of refinement, driving experience and infotainment, so it ultimately comes down to budget.”
Read review

Evo+

Score: 6 / 10
“The DS 7 Crossback offers much in the way of luxury, space and moderately quirky design but it’s not an inspiring drive.”
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Green Car Guide+

Model reviewed: 1.6-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid E-Tense Ultra Prestige
Score: 8 / 10
“The DS 7 Crossback E-Tense is a petrol plug-in hybrid that offers an electric driving range of up to 40 miles, the potential of 200mpg, the practicality of a 4×4 SUV, and the unique styling of DS.”
Read review

Heycar+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“If you like the idea of a prestige SUV, but you’re one of those people who wants to plough your own furrow in life, what do you do? Well, DS Automobiles might have the answer with the DS 7 Crossback.”
Read review

Honest John+

Score: 6 / 10
“Unfortunately for DS, while the DS 7 Crossback has more redeeming features than the DS 4 and DS 5, we suspect it’s going to remain quite a niche model.”
Read review

Parkers+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“Quirky alternative to a Q3 or GLA – nice details, comfy, but so-so to drive”
Read review

The Sun+

“The DS 7 Crossback feels, for the most part, acceptably upmarket, delivers some nice party tricks and will guarantee a degree of exclusivity.”
Read review

The Sunday Times+

Score: 6 / 10
“There is much to like about this car. But it is very expensive and it was fitted with a battery that couldn’t hold its charge. Yes, it’s a lovely place to sit and wait for the AA, but I’m not sure that’s what people really want. So I’m afraid that overall it has to be a no.” (Jeremy Clarkson)
Read review

The Telegraph+

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel automatic
Score: 6 / 10
“A curate’s egg of a car, which offers something genuinely different and luxurious, but is far removed from the avant-garde approach that was first promised by DS.”
Read review

Top Gear+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“DS 7 is perfectly well-enough executed as a vehicle to barge its way into the mosh pit of rivals.”
Read review

Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: November 2017
Date expired: January 2024
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 91%
Child protection: 87%
Vulnerable road users: 73%
Safety assist: 76%

Notes on safety rating

The DS 7 (or DS 7 Crossback, as it was then called) was crash tested by Euro NCAP back in 2017 and awarded a five-star rating. However, this rating expired in January 2024 and is no longer valid as the car no longer meets the standards required for such a rating. This is normal practice, as Euro NCAP reviews its ratings on most cars annually with most ratings expiring after about six or seven years.

However, if you are comparing a used DS 7 or DS 7 Crossback to vehicles of similar age, whose ratings will have probably also expired, its safety rating score is still useful.

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

As of January 2025, the DS 7 has not been assessed by Green NCAP.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

No reliability rating

As of January 2025, we don’t have enough reliability data on the DS 7 to generate a reliability rating.

The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using workshop and extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy, sourced from both official dealerships and independent workshops.

As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the DS 7, we’ll publish the results here.

Running cost rating

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

CO₂ output	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	158 g/km	C	143 – 170 g/km	B – C
Diesel models	144 g/km	B	137 – 169 g/km	B – C
Plug-in hybrid models	33 g/km	A	27 – 44 g/km	A – A

Battery range	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Plug-in hybrid models	36 miles	E	31 – 36 miles	E – E

Insurance group	Average	Score	Variation	Score
All models	37	C	21 – 42	A – D

Service and maintenance	Cost	Score
Year 1	£264	C
Year 2	£625	B
Year 3	£983	B
Year 4	£1,237	B
Year 5	£1,646	B
Overall	£4,755	B

Running costs for the DS 7 are pretty much average, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.

We don’t have independently verified fuel consumption data, but the CO₂ levels (which are linked closely to fuel consumption) are nothing too exciting. The plug-in hybrid looks great on paper, but that’s due to the woeful EU/UK goverment lab tests that are completely useless at measuring a plug-in hybrid…

Insurance costs are middle of the road, while servicing and maintenance over the first five years are also average. So while there’s not a lot to get too excited about here, it’s likely that other premium rivals are going to be just as expensive – if not even dearer – to run.