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DS 7

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Expert Rating

DS 7

(2017 - present)

    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 September 2023, its overall Expert Rating of 54% from 36 different UK reviews puts it in the bottom half of the mid-size premium SUV class. That score is a long way behind the class-leading Audi Q5 and Volvo XC60.

    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 £36,785 on-road

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


    Media reviews


    Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

    The Car Expert

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    Auto Express

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    Autocar

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    Company Car Today

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    Discover EV

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    Evo

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    Green Car Guide

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    Heycar

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    Honest John

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    Parkers

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    The Sun

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    The Sunday Times

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    The Telegraph

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    Top Gear

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    What Car?

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    Which?

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    Safety rating


    Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

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

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

    Eco rating


    Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

    No eco rating

    As of September 2023, the DS 7 has not been lab tested by Green NCAP.

    Reliability rating

    MotorEasy logo 600x167

    Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

    No reliability rating

    As of September 2023, 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 extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy. As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the DS 7, we’ll publish the score here.

    Running cost rating

    Clear Vehicle Data logo close crop

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

    CO₂ outputAverageScoreVariationScore
    Petrol models158 g/kmC143 – 170 g/kmB – C
    Diesel models140 g/kmB137 – 169 g/kmB – C
    Plug-in hybrid models31 g/kmA27 – 40 g/kmA – A
    Battery rangeAverageScoreVariationScore
    Plug-in hybrid models34 milesE31 – 36 milesE – E
    Insurance groupAverageScoreVariationScore
    All models34C21 – 39A – C
    Service and maintenanceCostScore
    Year 1£292C
    Year 2£661C
    Year 3£1,054C
    Year 4£1,263C
    Year 5£1,697C
    Overall£4,967C

    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.

    Similar cars


    If you’re looking at the DS 7, you might also be interested in these alternatives

    Alfa Romeo Stelvio | Audi Q5 | BMW X3 | BMW X4 | Citroën C5 Aircross | Genesis GV70 | Jaguar F-Pace | Lexus NX | Mercedes-Benz GLC | Peugeot 3008 | Range Rover Velar | Volkswagen Tiguan | Volvo XC60


    More news, reviews and information about the DS 7 at The Car Expert

    DS 7 Crossback facelift adds new plug-in hybrid model

    DS 7 Crossback facelift adds new plug-in hybrid model

    DS 7 Crossback boosted by another plug-in hybrid option

    DS 7 Crossback boosted by another plug-in hybrid option

    DS 7 Crossback review

    DS 7 Crossback review

    DS 7 Crossback gains new petrol power

    DS 7 Crossback gains new petrol power

    Crash test cars earn five-star ratings

    Crash test cars earn five-star ratings

    La Premiere special edition for DS 7 Crossback

    La Premiere special edition for DS 7 Crossback

    Geneva: DS 7 Crossback is a first

    Geneva: DS 7 Crossback is a first

    DS 7 Crossback to kick off model blitz

    DS 7 Crossback to kick off model blitz

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    The DS 7 has received average scores from UK media sources. It has been praised for its comfort and quality, but criticised for an uninspiring driving experience.DS 7