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DS Automobiles took a while to find its feet after being spun off from Citroen, but the DS 4 launched in 2021 is a car that gives the brand real desirability. At a very basic level it’s a family hatchback not unlike a VW Golf, but it’s one that feels a whole lot more special than that.
It’s distinctively styled outside and feels genuinely special within, more so even than some of the premium brands that DS hopes to compete with. The engine lineup is straightforward but varied enough to suit most needs too, with petrol, diesel, and plug-in hybrid options.
DS is targeting cars like the Audi A3, BMW 1 Series, and Mercedes-Benz A-Class with the DS 4. It’s bold, but in some respects it’s a lot closer than you’d imagine. The Mazda 3, Volswagen Golf, and SEAT Leon are other potential alternatives.
The DS 4 is one of those cars that will find fans simply for being different from the norm - the kind of car that might spark enthusiasm from a buyer who has grown tired of seeing the same shapes in the company car park.
Don’t let the slightly raised styling (or the rugged visual elements of the Cross models) fool you as really the DS 4 is closer in proportion to a conventional hatchback, but it’s a practical one either way, with up to 430 litres of boot space (even the smaller-booted plug-in hybrid E-Tense has 390 litres, more than the 381 litres of a VW Golf), and space for four adults.
It’s the design of the cabin that really sells the DS 4 though, with an expensive look and feel and some lovely details, while the touchscreen setup (and smaller, lower-mounted screen for navigating some functions) works well. Higher-spec DS 4s feel genuinely special, and in a warmer, more inviting way than the slightly severe fittings of some German alternatives.
You might find the DS 4’s suspension firmer than you expect (for real comfort, sister brand Citroen still has the edge), but it drives well and the E-Tense in particular suits the car’s vibe, thanks to its ability to run in EV mode. Running costs shouldn’t be too high and so far, there have been no major reliability issues reported.
DS has cars like the Audi A3, BMW 1-Series and Mercedes A-Class in its sights. The DS 4 doesn’t necessarily drive as well as those three, but it feels more special than even the Mercedes inside, and you won’t see a dozen on every commute. The VW Golf remains an evergreen family option, while another car that punches above its weight for ambience is the Mazda 3.
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If you have the budget then the plug-in hybrid, known as the E-Tense 225, probably shows off the DS 4’s qualities at their best. The refinement of the car while running in EV mode suits the luxurious feel and with more performance than the petrol or diesel it goes some way to justifying the extra outlay there too.
Rivoli trim is probably the sweet spot among more recent DS 4s, with its leather trim, LED matrix lights and electric seat adjustment again all playing to the car’s strengths, while earlier Cross Trocadero models similarly work well.
The DS 4 range is currently split into three trim levels, though it has offered others in the past, and some have been subdivided by the pseudo-offroad Cross models too. As the range gets quite complicated we’ve concentrated on the most recent trims below, but Cross models are differentiated by a small amount of matte black body cladding, gloss black roof bars, skid plates, and Cross exterior badging.
The DS 4’s dimensions are:
The DS 4’s boot size is:
Brand new E-Tense models stray above the £40,000 mark in the price lists, which offsets any VED benefit they might have for used car buyers, since cars above this price attract a hefty surcharge on their tax. That means paying £560 a year from the car’s second to sixth years of registration, while petrol and diesel models are only £180.
Insurance shouldn’t prove a major expense for DS 4 buyers. The most affordable models start in group 19 or 20, depending on the age of the car, while the most expensive will be an E-Tense 225 in Opera trim, at group 31. This is very similar to the group 15-32 range of a Mercedes A-Class, excluding that car’s high-performance AMG versions.
Read our full DS 4 review
What is the most popular colour for DS DS 4 ?
What is the most popular gearbox for DS DS 4 ?
What is the most popular fuel type for DS DS 4 ?
What is the most popular engine for DS DS 4 ?
What is the average mileage for DS DS 4 ?
2545
How many DS DS 4 cars are available for sale?
33
