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The DS 9 is typical of big French saloon cars for many decades now. It’s slightly unusual, difficult to justify when compared to more conventional German alternatives, and makes a much better used buy than it does a new one, thanks to steep depreciation.
So while we were lukewarm on the DS 9 in our full review, it may actually be worth a look as a used car, where its mix of performance, economy, and left-field appeal give it a unique selling point. It won’t be for everyone, but a select few may well be enamoured.
If that still doesn’t sound like you, then we can direct you to the more usual choices in this segment: cars like the Audi A6, BMW 5 Series, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Jaguar XF, and Volvo S90. Expect to pay more for a car of equivalent age to the DS 9, though.
Objectively speaking the DS 9 is one of those cars that’s tricky to recommend - at least brand new. Suggesting someone spends upwards of £50,000, sometimes more than £70,000 on a Sino-French luxury car when that money can get you a BMW 5 Series or Mercedes E-Class is difficult to justify.
But the original buyer’s loss is the used buyer’s gain. Like so many big French cars before it, depreciation has slashed DS 9 values down to something that looks very compelling indeed, making up for some of its misgivings as a new purchase.
In either words, for the price of a high-end supermini, the DS 9 offers a choice of fairly potent plug-in hybrid drivetrains, more than 4.9 metres of metal, a rather nicely trimmed and very comfortable interior, and the pretty reasonable assumption that you won’t see too many others on your commute.
The DS 9 is a great motorway cruiser and plug-in versions have 35-52 miles of range, depending on the variant, so it’s potentially a frugal commuter too. For used-car money you can probably forgive that it’s only average to drive elsewhere, and while the boot is a little shallow, front and rear seat space is competitive for this class.
Of course, the sensible money is on an Audi A6, BMW 5 Series, or Mercedes-Benz E-Class, though you’ll need to look for something three or four years old to match the price of a DS 9 that’s just a year or two old. Alternatively, a Peugeot 508 of similar age is less money still (having started at a lower point to begin with), with the same drivetrains as the DS 9.
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You may find a handful of PureTech 225 petrol models out there with no hybrid assistance, but they’re few and far between; it’s a decent enough option if you find one for a good price. Otherwise, it’s a choice between the two plug-in hybrids, and unless you need the power (and all-wheel drive) of the 4x4 360, the E-Tense 250 probably makes more sense.
The brand new prices of Opera and Esprit de Voyage models are eye-watering, so even with savage depreciation it might be a while before they represent real value for money as a used buy. For the time being, we’d look at getting a Performance Line+ or Rivoli+, which are well equipped and look keenly priced indeed for cars just a few years old.
DS 9 trim levels have changed slightly over the few years the car has been on sale, with the range originally consisting of Performance Line+ and Rivoli+ trims, and 2023-on cars dropping the former, while adding Opera and Esprit de Voyage spec above them. Befitting a car that starts in the £50,000 range new, equipment levels are high on all models, though the kit listed below is just a brief summary of each trim level.
The DS 9’s dimensions are:
The DS 9’s boot size is:
As the most expensive DS model to buy brand new, all DS 9s start above the £40,000 mark that results in a VED or ‘road tax’ surcharge from the second year of registration to the sixth. With all models also being plug-in hybrids, which get a £10 discount compared to fully combustion cars, you’ll currently pay £560 per year to tax a DS 9.
Some early Puretech petrol models start in group 35, but otherwise you’re looking at group 38 and up for E-Tense versions, and as much as group 43 for the E-Tense 4x4 360. This compares with insurance groups 30-41 for most of the BMW 5-Series range.
Read our full DS 9 review