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
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
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
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: 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.”
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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.”
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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.”
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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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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)
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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: BlueHDi 130 Rivoli (2023)
Score: 7 / 10
“DS 7 diesel sales aren’t going to set the world on fire, but it’s nice to still have the option, and it’s the more pleasant, relaxing powertrain compared with the faster hybrids.”
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Model reviewed: E-Tense 4×4 360 La PremiEre
Score: 7 / 10
“The DS 7 will remain a left-field choice, but the 2023 updates at least give it some of the character needed for that role.”
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Model reviewed: E-Tense 225 Performance Line
Score: 6 / 10
“The 7 seems set to stay a fringe player. It has likeable qualities, some of them in unexpected places, but its approach to offering refinement and opulence still feels more superficial than fundamental.”
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Model reviewed: 1.6-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid E-Tense 225
Score: 6 / 10
“It’s not hard to see why you might be tempted by the DS 7, but the underdeveloped chassis, so-so electric range and quickly escalating price make it far from the obvious choice in the hybrid SUV class.”
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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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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)
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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)
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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
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)
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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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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.”
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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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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.”
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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 overview
Score: 7 / 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
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.”
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What Car?
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“A well-equipped, reasonably comfortable and practical large SUV. Its pricing is a little too close to that of established rivals, though, and interior quality is questionable against the likes of our preferred choice in this class, the Audi Q5.”
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Which?
Model reviewed: 1.6-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid E-Tense
“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
“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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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%
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 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.
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 | 140 g/km | B | 137 – 169 g/km | B – C |
Plug-in hybrid models | 31 g/km | A | 27 – 40 g/km | A – A |
Battery range | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
Plug-in hybrid models | 34 miles | E | 31 – 36 miles | E – E |
Insurance group | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
All models | 34 | C | 21 – 39 | A – C |
Service and maintenance | Cost | Score |
Year 1 | £292 | C |
Year 2 | £661 | C |
Year 3 | £1,054 | C |
Year 4 | £1,263 | C |
Year 5 | £1,697 | C |
Overall | £4,967 | C |
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 information
More news, reviews and information about the DS 7 at The Car Expert
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