Summary
The DS 7 Crossback 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
It is the first SUV for DS Automobiles in the European market, although it has sold other vehicles in China previously. It is 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 Crossback was added to the range in the middle of 2019, in addition to the regular petrol and diesel engine options.
The DS 7 Crossback has received average to good scores from UK media sources. As of October 2021, its overall Expert Rating of 58% puts it in the bottom half of the mid-size premium SUV class, with a score that is a long way behind the class-leading Audi Q5 and Volvo XC60. It has been praised for its comfort and
Key specifications
Body style: Medium SUV/crossover
Engines: petrol, diesel, plug-in hybrid
Price: From £33,335 on-road
Launched: Winter 2017/18
Last updated: Summer 2019
Replacement due: TBA
Image gallery
Media reviews
Reviews, road test and comparisons 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.”
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Auto Express
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.”
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Score: 6 / 10
“The DS 7 Crossback SUV offers a touch of French luxury to take on its established German rivals.”
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Auto Trader
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.”
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Autocar
Model reviewed: 1.6-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid E-Tense Ultra Prestige
Score: 5 / 10
“The DS 7 Crossback E-Tense is a tough car to recommend. Aside from outright practicality, an Audi Q5 TFSIe outperforms it in pretty much every respect, and on the grounds of its refinement and dynamic capabilities, it’s leagues ahead.”
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Score: 7 / 10
“As family transport the DS 7 Crossback is pleasant and respectable, but as a symbol of what its maker stands for it’s a damp squib.”
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Car
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.”
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Carbuyer
Score: 7.8 / 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.”
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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.”
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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.”
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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.”
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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.”
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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.”
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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.”
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Parkers
Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 6.8 / 10
“Quirky alternative to a Q3 or GLA – nice details, comfy, but so-so to drive”
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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.”
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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)
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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.”
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Top Gear
Score: 7 / 10
“DS 7 is perfectly well-enough executed as a vehicle to barge its way into the mosh pit of rivals.”
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What Car?
Score: 6 / 10
“A well-equipped, comfortable and practical large SUV, but pricing and interior quality are questionable.”
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Which?
Model reviewed: 1.6-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid E-Tense
Score: 7.3 / 10
“The DS 7 Crossback E-Tense takes the regular model’s strengths – notably its comfort, spaciousness and excellent cabin – and adds the potential for very low running costs thanks to its hybrid power system. Even though it’s not the most dynamic car to drive, it’s a very good all-rounder.”
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6.7 / 10
“The DS 7 Crossback is the very first model designed from the outset by the DS brand, and it’s very impressive in many ways. It’s comfortable, spacious and feels special, inside and out. It doesn’t trouble the best rivals for driving dynamics, though.”
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Safety rating

Overall rating: 5 stars
Date tested: November 2017
Eco rating
No eco rating
The DS 7 Crossback has not yet been lab tested by Green NCAP. This is a new initiative, launched in 2018 as a sister organisation to Euro NCAP. As yet, very few new cars have been tested for environmental impact by Green NCAP, and the testing programme was halted in early 2020 by the coronavirus pandemic.
If the DS 7 Crossback is put through the Green NCAP lab testing programme, we will publish the results here.
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the DS 7 Crossback, 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
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