• CarStore
• Used Cars
• DS
• DS 7 Review (2017-present)

Independent review by Peter Hayward from Driving Force

4-minute read

Powertrains

This very well-equipped SUV, with the option of 2.0-litre diesel power, is capable of an excellent average 55mpg. That equates to a real driving figure of better than 40mpg, which has to be brilliant.

The 2.0-litre Blue HDi diesel reaches 60mph from rest in 9.1 seconds, and there’s also a 1.5-litre HDi with 130bhp that covers the sprint in 10.4 and can achieve 53mpg. This and the 1.2-litre are the only models available with a manual gearbox.

Petrol models start with that 1.2-litre turbo PureTech, which produces 130bhp and can do a 46mpg. It covers the sprint in a creditable 9.9 seconds.

Next come two 1.6-litre turbos. The first has 180bhp and gets to 60mph in 8.6 seconds while managing 45mpg, and the second has 225bhp, which enables a sprint of 8.0 seconds and a best of 47mpg.

Finally, the range topper is the E-Tense petrol/electric plug-in hybrid, which is the only model with four-wheel drive.

This uses the same 1.6-litre turbo PureTech petrol engine to drive the front wheels and an electric motor to power the rears.

With a total of 295bhp on tap, it powers to 60mph in a very swift 5.7 seconds and is rated at up to 235mpg with very low emissions.

In eco-mode, it tries hard to stay in electric drive only, and can cover a total of around 40 miles, meaning many people’s daily drives will use no petrol at all.

And the battery takes just 1 hour 45 minutes to fully charge from a standard 7KW wall box.

The lack of 4WD in the lower order models matters not to most drivers because they don’t need it, so most opt for 2WD versions of other SUVs.

Driving Experience

The DS 7 offers a superb ride over all surfaces, both in town at slow speeds. It takes speed humps with tremendous ease, and also on a country road at speed, when its suppleness completely insulates the occupants.
Peter Hayward

This helps to make it a delight to drive for short or long distances, and marks a return for DS owner Citroën to the comfort its large cars were once renowned for.

Roadholding is still very good - with a fair amount of roll it must be said – and it takes a twisting road without any drama, and gives reasonable feel from the steering.

Refinement is excellent, both from the engine and everywhere else. The automatic gearbox in most cars makes the changes very smoothly, but there are paddles behind the steering wheel to make the changes manually should you wish.

Design and Equipment

The interior design is high quality, elegant and unusual with diamond shapes for the main instruments in a big 12-inch digital screen, and a second large screen for most other functions.

All the models in the range come very well-equipped straight out of the box, with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, wireless smartphone charging, sat nav, Bluetooth, USB, and a Wi-Fi hotspot.

The mid-range Performance Line also has hill start assist, trailer stability control, cruise, active safety braking, a driver attention warning system, keyless entry and starting and rear parking sensors.

It also has remote tailgate opening, key operated remote.

Find your DS 7 your way with CarStore

The DS 7 is a refined and practical motor that puts most other SUVs to shame thanks to its striking design and the abundance of hi-tech equipment on offer. Families can benefit from tons of interior space and a comfortable ride during every journey.