2023 (23) DS DS 7 1.5 BlueHDi Rivoli 5dr EAT8

By Jonathan Crouch

Introduction

As the DS brand points out, beyond the motor industry, three of the world's top five luxury brands are French. Why shouldn't Gallic style be equally desirable when it comes to cars? We were told that it could be with this one, the DS 7, which was usefully improved in 2022 to create the car we're going to look at here. The earlier version of this upper mid-sized Crossover had been the first of the company's very own designs and in this updated form it was still appealing for the right kind of customer. Let's check this model out as a used buy.

History

If you want a premium mid-sized SUV from the 2022-2025 period, you're not short of choice. But there's nothing quite like this, the DS 7. This model line actually dates back to 2018, served as favoured transport for the French President and in late 2022 was significantly revised to create the car looking at here. We wouldn't blame you for still being somewhat unfamiliar with the DS brand. Used on up-market Citroens in the 1950s, it was a nameplate re-introduced by that marque in 2010, before being announced as a stand-alone brand in 2014. For most of the next four years, DS models were little more than re-badged Citroens. This one though, was the company's first purpose-designed contender, initially known as the 'DS 7 Crossback', then as part of this 2022 facelift re-christened merely 'DS 7'. As part of this update, there were smarter looks embellished with clever front lighting, a new infotainment system and a re-focusing of the range around E-TENSE PHEV power, which included the introduction of a top '4x4 360' DS Performance version. As before, under the skin lay much that was shared with mid-sized Peugeots and Citroens, but it was all covered with a thick sheen of Gallic gloss that could represent a refreshing alternative to the Teutonic ambiance that tends to dominate amongst premium mid-sized SUV models of this sort from this period. The DS people were quite clever about this crossover's sizing too, using the usual Stellantis Group EMP2 platform, but stretching it so as to give this car most of the interior space you'd find in a 'D'-segment premium SUV (think Audi Q5 or BMW X3) but at a price closer to that you'd pay for a 'C'-segment premium SUV contender (think Audi Q3 or BMW X1). There remained a few signs of classic DS innovation too. Given the marque's heritage in pioneering suspension technology, it was appropriate that the highlight was a camera-driven active damping system that claimed to set new standards in this sector, recognising bumps and road undulations before you even reach them. Features like intelligent 'PIXEL VISION' headlights and a 'DS Connected Pilot' package that offers 'level 2' autonomous driving may be more familiar to buyers looking at models of this kind from this period, but this DS 7 aimed to set itself apart with a uniquely sumptuous, tactile interior. The idea was to bring a bit of Louis Vuitton and Chanel to the mid-sized premium segment. The DS 7 sold in this form until mid-2025, when it was discontinued prior to the introduction of the second generation DS 7 in Spring 2026. It's the later 2022-2025 version of the first generation model we look at here.

What You Get

You don't expect a mere facelift to hugely change a car's character, but this one was actually quite far-reaching. Rather disappointingly, the original DS 7 Crossback model's innovative 'DS Active Vision' LED headlamps, which (in a nod to the original Fifties DS model's clever swivelling front lights) did a little purple-lit dance when the car was unlocked, were dispensed with as part of this update. Instead, a slimmer, more conventional pair of 'DS PIXEL LED VISION 3.0' headlamps replaced them. But what lay below made up for it, the so-called 'DS Light Veil', an eye-catching panel of four vertical daytime running light strips made up of 33 LEDs and apparently influenced by the look of the brand's 'X E-TENSE' and 'Aero Sport Lounge' concept cars. Almost as noticeable with this MK1 DS 7 update was the fact that the grille became much bigger, as did the 'DS WINGS' that flowed out of the top corners of it, spearing into the headlamps. The wrap-around tailgate is embellished with what the brand likes to call 'hypnotic' rear lights', here made even slimmer than before, made up of narrow 3D strips with scrolling indicators, each lamp a full LED made up of illuminated scales. Other changes included extra body creases for a wider look - and the previous 'Crossback' lettering between the tail lamps made way for 'DS Automobiles' script. And inside up front? Well if you prefer Teutonic simplicity and clarity of form, you won't like it at all. What's served up here is a glorious antidote to all that, a celebration, the DS designers hoped, of everything that was cutting edge in French fashion. So angled switches cascade along the centre console, the chromed corner vents are pyramidal with a studded jewelled finish and alcantara, open-pore wood inlays and leather feature in quantities appropriate to the Parisian-themed trim package you've chosen. As with the earlier version of this model, both the central screen and the digital instrument display are around 12-inches in size, but both were upgraded as part of the facelifted changes. Most noticeably with the updated 'DS IRIS' infotainment set-up, which gained menus made up of widgets for accessing all the infotainment functions with a single movement. Otherwise, all the gloriously 'Louis Vuitton'-style touches of the original model thankfully remain; the weird revolving analogue clock from French horologists B.R.M that on top models pirouettes out of the top centre of the fascia at start-up; the central screen's strange serrated barrel-style centre volume dial; the diamond-shaped start button; the 'Clous de Paris guilloche' finishing for the centrally-mounted electric window switches; and the plumply upholstered seats, which gain unique 'watchstrap'-style quilted leather on top models, a DS brand signature feature. In the rear, even for a six-footer sitting behind quite a lanky front seat occupant, the legroom on offer should be quite sufficient. Headroom too is fine, providing you haven't got the panoramic glass roof which restricts it a little. The floor is a little high though, forcing your knees a little further upwards than they would normally be. Out back, once everything's raised, an impressively large 555-litre capacity is revealed - that's definitely more 'D'-segment than 'C'-segment: which means that as many as seven carry-on suitcases will fit. Impressively, the space on offer is the same on a Plug-in Hybrid 'E-TENSE' model as it is with the base conventionally-engined diesel version.

What to Look For

You'll need to buy carefully but the use of common Peugeot and Citroen parts means that reliability shouldn't be any worse than models from those brands. We've heard of issues with the ride quality and the car 'skipping' across the road at the rear. Excessive tyre wear has been reported by some owners. And there have been various instances of electric glitches, especially with the infotainment system (central screen freezing and failure), so check that all the functions work as they should. The 1.5-litre BlueHDi diesel is prone to camshaft chain wear in some instances; and AdBlue faults which produce 'risk of particle filter blockage' warnings. With the petrol E-TENSE PHEV, there have been charging and electrical issues, sometimes requiring 12V battery replacement or causing 'Energy Fault' messages. We've heard of rear suspension noise, cabin rattles and squeaks and random triggering of the alarm. Otherwise, it's just the usual things. Check the alloys for scratches, the interior for child damage and require a fully-stamped service history.

Replacement Parts

(approx based on a 2022 DS 7 E-Tense 4x4 300 - Ex Vat) An oil filter is in the £5-£12 bracket. An air filter is in the £8-£15 bracket. A water pump is in the £28-£69 bracket. A radiator is in the £58-£166 bracket. A front brake pad set sits in the £25-£58 bracket; rears will sit in the £16-£68 bracket. A pair of front brake discs sit in the £30-£65 bracket. An alternator is in the £343-£575 bracket.

On the Road

Nothing major went on in terms of changing the dynamic engineering on offer here. Instead, DS concentrated on broadening its 'E-TENSE'-branded Plug-in Hybrid powerplant line-up, relinquishing all the other previous conventional unelectrified units, save for an ill-promoted 1.5-litre BlueHDi 130hp diesel at the bottom of the range. The E-TENSE options start with a front-driven 225hp model. Beyond that, your DS 7 E-TENSE will be of the AWD sort that supplements the PHEV system's 1.6-litre petrol engine with an electric motor on the rear axle, as well as one at the front. In the E-TENSE 4x4 300 variant, that means a total system output of 296hp and an EV range from the larger 14.2kWh battery of 42 miles. The top DS Performance-fettled flagship model added as part of this update, the E-TENSE 4x4 360, is similarly engineered but offers 355hp and a 36 mile EV range, plus lowered suspension, wider tracks and bigger brakes. As with the original version of this car, the quality of ride on offer isn't quite as serene as you'd hope it might be from a brand founded on last-century history of tackling uneven surfaces with typical Gallic nonchalance. Even with the 'DS Active Scan' system on top models (a system which uses a forward-facing camera to anticipate bumps before you reach them), the low-speed ride can be fidgety, though with the system fitted, you do float over speed humps rather pleasingly. However you choose it, this Gallic model is at its best when you're wafting along and enjoying its more relaxed approach to life as the mandatory 8-speed EAT8 automatic transmission slurs its way smoothly through its various ratios. You can't ever set it to stick in the gear you want, but if haste really is required, it can get with the programme and play its part in propelling your DS 7 along at a decent lick. All DS 7 E-TENSE models get selectable 'Sport', 'Hybrid' and 'Electric' drive modes - with an extra '4WD' setting if your chosen variant has a rear axle motor. You'll need to spend rather a lot of time in 'Electric' if you're to get anywhere close to the official efficiency figures, for this E-TENSE 4x4 300 model quoted at 249.8mpg on the combined cycle and 26g/km of CO2. Charging time for the 4x4 models, empty to full with a 7.4kW garage wallbox is 1 hour 55 minutes. The E-TENSE 225 variant can only charge at up to 3.7kW, so needs almost twice as long - 3 hours 45 minutes.

Overall

Charismatic, elegant and satisfyingly rare, this improved version of the first generation DS 7 did indeed bring something different to the upper class part of the mid-sized SUV segment for models from the 2022-2025 period. In some respects, the execution wasn't perfect - but then, as we've remarked before when reviewing this boutique French maker's products and considering its competitors, there's something rather soul-less and clinical about perfection. The DS brand is about a 'Different Spirit' - a different way to go. Other marques have promised that: this car though, delivered it.