DS Automobiles is France's answer to Toyota's Lexus and Hyundai's Genesis and to date, they've only sold cars that were used to be called Citroens until it matured to be a luxury brand in Groupe PSA's own right such as the DS3, the DS4, and the DS5. Now, to make sure the DS Automobiles brand will stay as...you guessed it, DS Automobiles, they are making an all-original DS-branded car with some bits and bobs from PSA's finest and this new luxury car isn't s car at all. It's just another midsize crossover too much to take for speedo boys.
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| 2018 DS 7 Crossback |
You heard it right, ladies and gentlemen, this is DS's first luxury midsize crossover that wants to be a potent competitor against the Lexus NX, the Audi Q3, the Mercedes GLC, the BMW X3, or the Infiniti QX30, to name a few. This is the DS 7 Crossback and as the name implies, it serves as the flagship of the DS Automobiles lineup. I know that just because this is just a medium-sized front-wheel drive only luxury crossover does mean that it's worthless at almost all kinds of stuff but mind you, if your boss suspects that you allegedly crashed most of his or her full-sized SUVs in a middle of traffic, best assured that this is one crossover you might drive one for your boss after work.
The design of the DS 7 Crossback looks almost similar to the Wild Rubis concept it was based on and although luxurious in spirit, the hexagonal-shaped grille looks conspicuously similar to the Audi Q3 while the back, when you squint to it, looks vaguely like a Mitsubishi Outlander. It's hard to determine what kind of design this car possess until you step inside the interior...
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| 2018 DS 7 Crossback interior |
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| 2018 DS 7 Crossback interior |
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Questionable exterior design aside, the DS 7's interior is like you're in a space ship because when you look at the GT by Citroen-styled steering wheel, futuristic instrumental panel, touch panel that does navigation, connectivity, climate control, and other stuff, gear box that looks like it came from Porsche, and an handmade analogue clock in the middle. Along with the leather seats that look like it shaped like the back of Cyborg Ninja's, the DS 7's futuristic interior matches to theme of what lies ahead in the future and I have to tell you this has one of the best interiors ever made to a crossover like this.
As for boot space, it's not quite decent as it seems, in fact, it's somewhat above average overall and there's some room for your suitcases full of stuff packed up for your next business trips. Just a reminder, even though it has decent legroom, you can't put little Miss Shiitake at the back because of the electric rear door, which loses its utility trait like some medium SUVs you know so far.
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| 2018 DS 7 Crossback |
Don't count of calling the DS7 Crossback as sporty because it doesn't have the "sport" trait in it like every other midsize SUVs but to keep your boss at the rear seat fresh like a cover of Vogue, it comes with a DS ACTIVE SCAN SUSPENSION which uses a camera attached to the suspension setup and four sensors to anticipate what sort of driving style it goes into. It can be either sporty or comfortable, making the DS 7 well-adapted to their driving style. Sounds scary but flattering at the same time. How convincing.
The DS 7 Crossback comes with five different powertrains with the most powerful in the range is the one with the turbochrged 1.6L petrol engine producing 225PS of power while mated to an EAT8, although some models, probably diesel ones that will soon be outlawed by the French, can be mated to a 6MT. Later on, they will introduce the E-TENSE variant of the DS 7, which is a PHEV much like the Outlander's, but it will produce an overall power output of 300PS while promising better fuel economy. That really is something but for now since this is a luxury car, it's almost impossible to be UBER-fied because of TNVS regulations.
Also, there's more bad news to the DS 7 and that is a wide range of safety tech that will kill every speedo boy's balls in an instant because of its high level of semi-autonomous driving. Yes, there's the DS CONNECTED PILOT that comes with Stop & Go Active Cruise Control but that's just the beginning because it comes with DS PARK PILOT, DS NIGHT VISION, DS DRIVER ATTENTION MONITORING, DS ACTIVE LED VISION, and so much more. With so much advanced tech in a luxury French crossover like this, speedo boys might a well retreat and pave way for the next guy who has interests to it.
The DS 7 Crossback starts at 31,200 Euros which is fairly reasonable compared to other luxury crossovers but to summarize this one up, let me give you a clear reminders about the DS 7. First, the design is tad questionable, the safety tech will scare even the most speedo boys everywhere, and it's not as sporty as it seems. On the plus side, the interior is the real beauty as well as some gadgets in store for the driver. Let's not forget the healthy choice of engines and the incoming E-TENSE variant coming soon and also the smartest suspension ever made in a car like this. It may not be a true SUV as it looks like but the DS 7 is more than enough to keep your boss happy as long as you're not crashing it and making an excuse on why you're late.
Available colors: Blanc Banquise, Gris Artense, Gris Platinum, Noir Perla Nera, Bleu Encre, Or Byzantin, Brun Andaradite, Rouge Absolu, and Blanc Nacre.
Photo: Groupe PSA
