Citroen DS7

Citroen DS 7 Overview

The DS 7 is the French marque’s first dedicated DS model since it became a standalone premium brand back in 2015 under the PSA Group. Dubbed the avant-gardist of design, DS Automobiles is built on the design heritage of the original Citroën DS dated back to the 1950s. The DS line started with the Citroën DS 3, a small car based on the floorplan of the Citroën C3. The DS 7 Crossback made its première appearance alongside the new DS Store in Petaling Jaya in 2018 before officially launched in 2019.

Retailing at RM 249,372, the fully imported model is offered in the sole 1.6 L Performance Line trim, which comes with cosmetic enhancements and upgraded equipment.It presents a premium alternative to the highly competitive C-Segment SUV segment, occupied by the likes of Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5 and bringing the fight to luxury brands like Lexus, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz.

Citroen DS 7 Design

DS is born in Paris and claims to embody the best craftsmanship of the French luxury industry. The DS 7 is the culmination of DS’s so-called avant-garde spirit with its sleek silhouette accentuated by the smooth flowing lines and voluptuous curves.

Up front, the signature ‘DS Wings’ is finished in Black Texture Glitter and extends outwards from the flanks of the imposing grille towards the bottom of the jewel-like LED headlamps. Vertical LED DRLs positioned on the extreme ends of the lower bumper emphasize the visual width of the SUV.

The Performance Line trim adds matte black exterior trims, Carmin Red badging, and 19-inch Onyx Black turbine-style lightweight alloy wheels. Strong character lines along the sides, together with the upsloping beltlines and the pronounced shoulder haunches gives the DS 7 its athletic stance.

Round the rear, you will find a wraparound clamshell-like tailgate design and a pair of distinctive rear LED lights with 3D motives, inspired by DS’s E-TENSE concept car. The diffuser-like lower bumper trim is strictly cosmetic but thankfully, the chromed trapezoidal twin exhaust exits are real.

Citroen DS 7 Dimension

Based on PSA Group’s Efficient Modular Platform 2 (EMP2), the DS 7 is 63 mm longer, 56 mm wider and 37 mm lower than the Peugeot 3008 on which it is based. The wheelbase is marginally longer too by 8 mm compared to the sister car. 

Citroen DS 7 Interior

The DS 7 stylish interior is inspired by luxury watchmaking and haute couture, illustrated by the endless ‘Clous de Paris’ Guilloché patterned accents featuring diamond-faceted switches and dials with diamond knurling. The B.R.M R180 analog timepiece on the centre console rotates and reveals itself on start up.

Exclusive to the Performance Line, the entire cabin is upholstered in the luxurious Bassalt Black Alcantara, including on the seats, dashboard, and the door panels. You can’t help but sensing Peugeot’s quirky i-Cockpit design DNA in the aviation-inspired shift-by-wire gear lever, toggle switches and the compact-sized leather-wrapped steering wheel.

DS 7 passengers will enjoy ample of interior space, notably in the rear seats where the seat back can be reclined from 23° to 32° electronically. The seats are created from high density mousse for maximum comfort and support. Boot space of 555 litres (1,750 litres with rear seats folded) is 33 litres more than the Honda CR-V. 

Citroen DS 7 Features

Infotainment systems consist of a 12-inch touchscreen display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, hooked up to a 14-speaker, 515-Watt Focal Electra Hi-Fi premium audio system. Driver also gets a customizable 12.3-inch digital ‘head-up’ cluster display.

Other standard features include an acoustic glass windscreen, intelligent keyless entry, push-button start, power-adjustable front seats with driver’s side memory, power-reclining rear seats with a one-touch folding function, cruise control, dual-zone auto automatic climate control, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, a Qi wireless smartphone charger, a reverse camera and a handsfree powered tailgate.

Unique to the DS models is the Active LED Vision headlights with jewel-like modules that pivot 180 degrees to their forward positions when the car is unlocked. They are also able to adjust the width and range of the beam according to the road conditions, with five modes – Town Beam, Country Beam, Motorway Beam, Adverse Weather and High Beam. 

Sequential scrolling front and rear indicators are also fitted. In terms of safety, 6 airbags is standard alongside ABS, EBD, EBA and ESP. Also included is Driver Attention Alert, 2 rear ISOFIX child seat mounts and electric child lock function.

Citroen DS 7 Driving Performance

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Transmission

Citroen DS 7 Ride Comfort

Citroen DS 7 Fuel Consumption

Citroen DS 7 Conclusion

The DS 7 offers a distinct and unique proposition amongst its European peers with a striking exterior, plush cabin and refined ride and handling. But if you are expecting it to go as fast as it looks, you will be terribly disappointed. Dynamic performance aside, the newly establish DS Automobile brand poses an even important question on whether it has established itself well enough to stand alongside premium brands in the likes of Mercedes-Benz and Lexus. Will the DS name hold as much prestige or garner the same following among Malaysia’s brand-conscious consumers? That remains to be seen.