DS 7 Crossback E-Tense

Vive la difference!

DS has tapped into its ‘je ne sais quoi’ heritage to produce a DS7 PHEV that stands out from the other hybrids out there, says Andrew Walker

The DS7 Crossback was launched in 2019 and CC&V had the opportunity to drive the petrol and diesel versions, both of which impressed.

However, every new model released by the French brand from 2025 onwards will either be fully electric, or a plug-in hybrid with at least a 30-mile EV range. The first of these to be launched are the smaller DS3 Crossback, the brand’s first EV, and the larger DS7 Crossback, which is the brand’s first PHEV and shares its hybrid petrol set-up with the Vauxhall Grandland X PHEV.

Like the Vauxhall, the DS7 E-Tense combines a 1598cc petrol engine with an electric drive system of two electric motors. They offer a combined output of 109hp, are AWD and have a 13.2kWh lithium-ion battery.

The front electric motor is coupled to an electrified eight-speed automatic transmission, while the second motor and differential are integrated into the electrically-powered rear axle, providing all-wheel traction on demand. It’s quick, too, going from 0-60 mph in just 5.9 seconds, thanks to the 200hp on offer and the 300Nm that arrives at 3000rpm. The petrol engine with two electric motors offer a whopping 296bhp and 450Nm of torque.

The E-Tense range is offered in three trim levels. First up is the Performance Line, which features 19” alloys, a 12.3” HD touchscreen, Mirror Screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, LED Front fogs with cornering function, Manual ‘Follow me home’ lighting, LED Daytime Running Lights, DS Active LED Vision, DS 3D LED rear lights, High beam assist and full LED interior lighting.

Prestige adds full leather seats, electric rear seat backrests, keyless entry, a reversing camera, wireless charging and front parking sensors, while Ultra Prestige adds 20” alloys, a panoramic sunroof, a Focal sound system, a remote tailgate and DS Connected Pilot.

From the outside, the E-Tense features some subtle differences to the petrol and diesel versions. There’s a ‘Pearl Crystal’ paint finish that’s optional and exclusive E-Tense badging, plus a charging port flap located on the opposite side to the usual fuel cap.

The DS7 PHEV offers four driving modes; Electric, Hybrid, AWD and Sport. In pure electric mode, the car has a range of 35 miles WLTP. Electric Mode can be selected up to speeds of 83mph, although is best for city traffic. In Hybrid mode, the car automatically selects the most efficient method of propulsion. AWD is for that wet grass you’ve parked on and Sport gives everything extra fizz.

To aid battery range, DS 7 CROSSBACK E-TENSE 4×4 is regenerated whenever the driver decelerates or uses the brakes to extend the range. Another function, ‘E-SAVE’, also allows the driver to save enough energy to drive in all-electric mode for the last 6 or 12 miles of a journey.

All DS E-TENSE vehicles are supplied with two electric cables for 7kW AC and 3-pin 13amp DC. On a typical home 7kWh charger its will take 90 minutes to filly charge there battery. Furthermore, all DS customers buying a new PHEV receive six months’ free subscription to Polar Plus – the UK’s largest public charging network.

CC&V was given the opportunity to spend some time in a Prestige model and mighty nice it is. Triangle-shaped air vents at each end of the dashboard are noticeably different, as is the location of the starter button, smack bang in the top centre of the dash, flanked by the two central air vents. The landscape touchscreen is also a highlight and the angular electric window switches set in the centre binnacle also add to ‘le difference’. Even the graphics on the PSA

Group’s 12.3” digital instrument cluster in front of the driver can be configured with rhombusshaped graphics.

Elsewhere, the dashboard switches, door fittings, seats and steering wheel are satisfyingly all top notch, with only the lightweight plastic used on the glove box, letting things down a touch.

Because of the battery design, you get the same amount of storage as in the combustionengined DS7s; 555 litres of boot space until you fold the rear seats down, when this goes up to a quite considerable 1752 litres.

The on-board tech is straightforward and I connected our mobile phone to the car’s Bluetooth Hands-Free telephone and linked it to Apple-Car-Play quickly. Our only negative was that like many other models, the DS7 features climate controls located in the touchscreen, which can be a little frustrating.

In Electric Mode, the E-Tense is much quieter than the diesel DS7. The steering is light and precise and as a motorway cruiser, it’s very impressive. The DS’s suspension makes for a comfortable ride and there is little or no body roll, even around sharp bends. We mainly utilised the Hybrid driving mode, which selects the driving mode for you.

In pure Electric Mode we managed to travel 27 miles before the car switched to Hybrid. Drivers may notice the extra battery weight, but it’s not that intrusive to the handling of the car.

For fleet customers the CO 2 emissions are under 50g/km, which means attractive BIK. More good news is that DS claims a maximum fuel consumption of 128 mpg. As we’ve said before, the only way you’ll see any kind of fuel economy return close to 100 mpg is if you drive in Electric Mode as much as possible, plug-in after every short journey and utilise the clever on-board charge saving that’s offered.

We’d guess that if you don’t do these things regularly – and let’s face it, many PHEV customers don’t – then 32-36 mpg is a more likely scenario.

Verdict

As with all DS models it’s refreshingly different. We would suggest you consider the 2WD CROSSBACK E-TENSE 225 model, which has a lower entry price than its 4WD sibling.

CC&V RATING: N N N N N