Although it had officially been unveiled a couple of months before, the DS7 made its debut in style in May 2017, when it was used to transport the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, to his inauguration at the Champs-Elysées. It really was an introduction to remember.
An exterior that makes an entrance
The DS7 Crossback is an SUV like no other. Its impressive stance on the road is further enhanced by the premium design, dedicated to power, space and comfort.
The exterior makes an incredible impact, with a sweeping roofline that flows along the chrome-lined tinted windows from an imposing diamond-effect grille to the substantial tailgate, completed by two chrome exhaust trims at the rear.
Lumiére extraordinaire
A breathtaking feature of the DS7 has to be the sport active lights, which are optional on lower trims and come as standard on the higher levels. Designed by specialists Magnetti Marelli, upon locking they pulse with a regal hue of purple and swivel 180° – creating a show to rival the one you’d find along the promenade at Blackpool. The lights can be customised with five different modes. The taillights alone boast 42 LEDs and a 3D laser etched effect. Daytime running lights and sweeping directional indicators complete the lighting design of the DS7 Crossover, which was inspired by the original 1960s DS.
Exquisite interior touches
The luxurious interior features touches of smooth leather, which add up to almost a square metre, alongside other premium materials such as alcantara, wood and engraved metal. There is a choice of five interior designs, each as exquisite as the last.
The interior is as spacious as it is comfortable, with five seats and plenty of head and legroom thanks to the flat floor. There is an optional glass sunroof and the two rear seats recline for added comfort. There’s plenty of bootspace too; an impressive 555 litres with the seats up and 1750 litres when folded flat.
Technology is certainly not lacking, either. The DS7 Crossback boasts a centrally-mounted 12-inch touchscreen infotainment system which controls satellite navigation, multi-media, DS Connect and Mirror Screen. A second, 12-inch screen in the instrument panel lets you control the information you want to see.
DS drivetrain
All three available petrol engines feature start-stop technology and two – the THP 225 and THP 180 – are paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, while the PureTech 130 has a six-speed manual gearbox. If a DS with a diesel engine is your preference, you can choose between the Stop-Start BlueHDi 130 or the BlueHDi 180 with an 8-speed automatic transmission option.
Also, remember to watch out for the hybrid engine, available in 2019.
Driver assistance
Driver assistance technology on the DS7 Crossover is considerable, and includes Adaptive Cruse Control- (known as DS Pilot) and DS Night Vision that uses an infrared camera to display obstructions in the road when lighting is low. The list also features DS Park Pilot and Lane Position Assist, to keep you safe while you drive in style.