Used DS 9 for sale: everything you need to know

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.

Should you buy a DS 9?

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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What’s the best used DS 9 model to buy?

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.

Used DS 9 fuel economy and performance

• DS 9 E-Tense 250: The E-Tense 250 makes a combined 250PS from the efforts of a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine and an electric motor, with energy supplied by a 15.6kWh battery pack. 0-62mph takes 8.1 seconds, and with 41-52 miles of EV range, DS claims between 235.4mpg and 353.1mpg combined.
• DS 9 E-Tense 4x4 360: With effectively the same drivetrain but an extra motor on the rear axle supplying another 113PS), the 4x4 360 has, as the name suggests, all wheel drive and 360PS of combined output. 0-62mph comes up in 5.6 seconds, EV range is 35 miles, and combined consumption is 188.3mpg.

What used DS 9 trim levels are available?

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 Performance Line+ got 19-inch alloy wheels, black Alcantara trim, LED headlights, a 12.3-inch instrument cluster and 12-inch touchscreen, keyless entry and start, a perforated leather steering wheel, electrically adjustable and heated front seats, front and rear parking sensors, and a reversing camera.
• The DS 9 Rivoli+ features a different 19-inch wheel design (or 20 inches on 4x4 360 versions), black Nappa leather trim, DS Drive Assist semi-autonomous functions, ventilated and massaging front seats, and a 360-degree parking camera.
• The DS 9 Opera gets black watchstrap Nappa leather, a night vision system, power tailgate, Focal audio, extended dual-zone climate control, a sunroof, and a lounge pack with a rear armrest and heated rear seats.
• The DS 9 Esprit de Voyage comes with a pearl grey Nappa watchstrap leather interior, and 20-inch wheels.

Used DS 9 dimensions and boot size

The DS 9’s dimensions are:

• Length: 4934mm
• Width: 1932mm (without mirrors), 2079mm (with mirrors)
• Height: 1460mm

The DS 9’s boot size is:

• 510 litres (E-Tense 250 models)
• 473 litres (E-Tense 4x4 360 models)

Used DS 9 road tax

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.

How much is it to insure 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