DS 4 Review 2024

If you're looking for something a little different, the DS 4 certainly ticks that box. It's less of a compromise than other DS models, though, while its interior really is one of the best in its class. Impressive practicality mean you can use it as your main family car, while a strong engine line-up means it won't cost a fortune to run.

It's not a cheap choice, but we rate the plug-in hybrid DS 4 E-Tense. It's got a very useable electric range of 38 miles, while the refinement on offer from electric motoring really suits the DS 4's relaxed vibe. Which trim level you choose comes down to personal preference, but a nice Troacadero or Rivoli model would tick a lot of boxes for us.

The DS 4 is positioning itself as a left-field alternative to the premium German hatchbacks – namely the BMW 1 Series, Mercedes A-Class and Audi A3. You might also want to consider slightly more mainstream alternatives, too – cars like the Mazda 3, Volkswagen Golf and SEAT Leon. With its chunky SUV-like appearance, you could also be looking at the BMW X2, Volvo XC40 and Range Rover Evoque.

The DS 4's interior really is exquisite. From the hand-stitched leather steering wheel to the plush dashboard, it feels every bit as upmarket as premium competitors like the Mercedes A-Class.

We're particularly keen on the brown watchstrap leather available on DS 4 Rivoli and Cross Rivoli models but, at £2450, it's probably not an option box many buyers will be ticking. Most models get cloth seats as standard, while the Performance Line models come with seats trimmed in Alcantara. Black leather seats are standard on the Rivoli and Cross Rivoli.

An impressive 10-inch media system is standard across the DS 4 range. It's actually much easier to operate than a lot of rival infotainment displays (have you tried a Volkswagen Group system lately..?), with sharp responses and customisable menu layouts (a bit like a smartphone).

While touchscreen displays can be distracting to use on the move, the DS 4 has a trick up its sleeve. There's a second smaller touchscreen positioned low down on the centre console. This is easier to reach and can be used for operating the main navigation system. It's not quite as easy as a rotary controller (or, heaven forbid, actual buttons) – but it certainly feels a safer process than some we've tried.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across the range, while wireless phone charging is available as an option. All DS 4 models come with two USB-C ports in the front, while most (all but the DS 4 Bastille+) come with two in the back.

The DS 4 is almost an SUV in terms of exterior dimensions (it measures 4400mm long, 1830mm wide and 1470mm high). Obviously, that's pretty good news when it comes to interior space.

The boot can accommodate up to 430 litres of luggage, which is more than you'd get in a BMW 1 Series, Mercedes A-Class or Audi A3. This drops to 390 litres in the DS 4 E-Tense (those hybrid batteries have to go somewhere), but it's still a pretty sizeable load bay.

If you're planning to use the DS 4 as your main family car, teenagers in the back will have little reason to complain (unless you try to squeeze one in the middle seat – it's best saved for occasional use). There's a decent amount of headroom and legroom, while there are Isofix points on the outer rear seats (and on the front passenger seat) to help out when fitting child seats.

There's loads of room in the front of the DS 4, with plenty of adjustment in the seats and an impressive amount of headroom even for the tallest of adults. You'll find numerous neat storage spaces, too – including a pair of cupholders and a deep cubby within the armrest.

The DS 4 range kicks off with a small 1.2-litre petrol engine badged the Puretech 130. As its name suggests, this produces 130PS, which isn't a huge amount of power for a car of this size but should be enough for keeping up with traffic. We're yet to test a DS 4 with this engine, while 0-62mph acceleration figures for the entry-level motor are yet to be confirmed.

If you're looking for a punchier petrol motor, there's also a 1.6-litre engine available with 180PS or 225PS. The former will take the DS 4 to 62mph in 8.0 seconds flat, while the latter takes a not-as-quick-as-you-may-expect 7.9 seconds. All of the petrol engines offered in the DS 4 are paired with an eight-speed automatic gearbox.

There's also a diesel unit, also paired with an eight-speed auto gearbox and badged the BlueHDi 130. This takes a leisurely 10.9 seconds to cover the 0-62mph sprint, but 300Nm of torque means building speed should feel fairly effortless.

Our favourite model is the plug-in hybrid DS 4 E-Tense. This combines a 1.6-litre petrol engine with a 12.4kWh lithium-ion battery and an electric motor, allowing it to switch seamlessly between petrol and electric power. With 225PS on hand, this is also the quickest, accelerating to 62mph in 7.7 seconds.

Until an electric DS 4 goes on sale, the most refined model you can buy is the E-Tense plug-in hybrid. When it's fully charged, it can mimic a pure-electric vehicle, darting about quite happily without the petrol engine kicking in. When the combustion engine is required, it'll start up without as much as a grumble.

We're yet to sample the DS 4 with diesel power, but expect this to be a little more vocal than the petrol and diesel models. That's the price you pay for economy, though.

Engines aside, the DS 4 is just as refined as you'd expect for an upmarket hatch. Wind noise is minimal, although there is a fair bit of road noise – particularly if you spec the 20-inch alloy wheels.

The brand boasts of 'semi-autonomous driving' features on the DS 4. These are packaged together as DS Drive Assist, which features adaptive cruise (with the ability to stop and start entirely in heavy traffic) as well as a lane positioning function. It won't exactly drive itself but it should certainly take the strain out of longer journeys. Note that the DS Drive Assist is only fitted as standard on DS 4 Rivoli and Cross Rivoli trim levels, as well as the La Premiere introductory model.

There is a whole heap of other driver-assistance tech fitted as standard across the range. This includes a driver attention system (which alerts you if you're not paying enough attention to the road), an emergency braking system (which can apply the brakes if it detects a potential collision) and speed limit recognition. All models come with a reversing camera, while the DS 4 La Premiere features a 360-degree camera system.

There's the usual mix of airbags, while Isofix child seat mounting points are fitted to the front passenger seat and outer rear seats. The DS 4 was awarded four stars when it was crash-tested by Euro NCAP in 2022, or five stars when fitted with the optional Safety Pack

It's too new to tell for sure how reliable the DS 4 will be, but it shares mechanicals with a wide range of Stellantis models. That should be good news for reliability, while there's nothing about the DS 4 that should be particularly expensive or difficult to fix.

If you're looking for cheap insurance, we'd recommend a DS 4 with the Puretech 130 petrol engine. Depending on trim level, this falls into insurance groups 19E or 20E. The punchier DS 4 Puretech 180 is a group 29E, while the DS 4 BlueHDi diesel has been placed into insurance group 21E. Insurance groups for the DS 4 E-Tense plug-in hybrid are yet to be announced.

In reality, we'd expect the DS 4 to cost similar to a Volkswagen Golf to insure. We'd recommend shopping around for insurance quotes, though.

The first year's VED (car tax) on a DS 4 ranges from £0 to £220 depending on which engine you choose. This is lumped into the on-the-road price, though, so shouldn't influence your choice – particularly if you're buying a nearly-new or second-hand DS 4.

After that, you'll pay a flat rate of £155 a year for petrol or diesel DS 4 models. This drops to £145/year for the plug-in hybrid DS 4 E-Tense. If you buy a DS 4 with a list price of more than £40,000, you'll be stung for an extra £335 a year in premium car tax for five years. This is worth bearing in mind if you're looking at high-spec models of the DS 4 E-Tense – even if you're not paying anywhere near £40,000 on the used market.

The DS 4's trim line-up can seem a little confusing at first, but bear with us and we'll talk you through it. There are basically three core models: the standard DS 4, the slightly sporty DS 4 Performance Line, and the more SUV-esque DS 4 Cross. Each of these are available in a number of different variants.

The entry-level DS 4 is badged the Bastille+. Standard equipment includes 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and a black front grille. Inside, there's a front central armrest, leather steering wheel and cloth seats. Infotainment is provided in the form of a 10-inch touchscreen system (with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto) as well as a seven-inch digital instrument cluster.

Moving up a level, the DS 4 Trocadero adds 19-inch alloy wheels and a chrome front grille. Inside, you'll find embossed cloth seats, the DS Iris system (3D connected navigation with voice recognition) and a head-up display. Further tech highlights include keyless entry and start, front parking sensors, DS Connect Box (emergency and assistance system) and a reversing camera.

The DS 4 Rivoli tops the standard range, with black leather seats, Matrix LED headlights, scrolling rear indicators and DS Drive Assist (with adaptive cruise control and lane positioning assist). Dark tinted rear windows are also standard, as well as laminated acoustic insulated glazing.

The DS 4 Performance Line takes the DS 4 Bastille+ as its base and adds black 19-inch alloy wheels and gloss black exterior highlights (including the grille, DS wings and window surrounds). The inside is finished in black Alcantara, while tech highlights include front parking sensors and a rear-view camera.

The DS4 Performance Line+ adds the DS Iris navigation system, extended head-up display and the DS Connect Box. Those in the back get a rear armrest as well as tinted rear windows. Adaptive cruise control is standard as well as an advanced emergency braking system.

For a more rugged look, the DS 4 Cross Trocadero features Cross exterior highlights (including black roof bars, black door sill protectors, front and rear skid plates, black front and rear bumpers) and 19-inch alloy wheels. The seats are finished in Tungsten Diamond Cloth, while tech highlgihts include the DS Iris navigation system, front parking sensors and a reversing camera.

The DS 4 Cross Rivoli which adds black leather seats, DS Matrix headlights, scrolling rear indicators and DS Drive Assist semi-autonomous driving package. A rear cross traffic alert system is also standard, as well as dark tinted rear windows.