DS AUTOMOBILES DS 7

Looking at the various electrified alternatives the current car-buying customer now has on offer, it's sometimes hard not to think that the plug-in hybrid option is arguably the best.

Mild hybrid tech doesn't make much difference to overall efficiency figures.

And full-electric models still carry the scourge of 'range anxiety'.

So being able to plug in to extend the range of a conventional petrol engine with a lithium-ion battery charge makes as much sense now as it did when we first saw plug-in models hit the market, nearly a decade ago. When it comes to SUVs, you'll generally need a mid-sized or larger one to be able to specify plug-in technology.

Back in 2019, the Stellantis Group made a number of the various 'C'-segment SUVs that could offer it - cars like hybrid versions of the Peugeot 3008, the Citroen C5 Aircross and the Vauxhall Grandland X.

Plus the conglomerate also used the same tech for a slightly larger, more luxurious model that sat in the 'D'-segment just above - this car, the DS 7 Crossback E-TENSE 4x4.

It sold in its original form until late-2022, when it was facelifted and renamed simply as the 'DS 7'.

It's the 2017-2022-era DS 7 Crossback E-TENSE model though, we look at here.

Visual differentiation points setting this E-TENSE variant apart from more conventional models in the range are few.

There's special badging.

And this electrified variant could be had in an exclusive 'Pearl Crystal' paint shade.

That's about it. As with the conventional versions of this model, the styling is distinctive, with lovely detailing, particularly at the front end, the look of which was inspired by the avant garde 'DS Divine' concept car of 2014.

We particularly like these exotically intricate 'DS Active Vision' LED headlamps, which emit a purple light when the car is unlocked, before pivoting by 180-degrees - in a nod to the original Fifties DS model's clever swivelling front lights Moving to the side, there are the usual roof rails and the normal mid-level crease that flows just below the glass house; this one loses itself in the back door before reappearing to emphasise the rear haunches.

Large 19 or 20-inch wheel rims are standardised on E-TENSE models. Possibly our favourite perspective is the one that's usually most forgettable when it comes to cars of this kind - the rear.

The wrap-around tailgate is embellished with what the brand liked to call 'hypnotic' rear lights', super-slim 3D strips with scrolling indicators, each lamp a full LED made up of illuminated scales.

Of course, what's more important is what you can't see.

This model sits on a longer version of the Stellantis Group's EMP2 platform than did the conglomerate's equivalent Peugeot 3008, Vauxhall Grandland X and Citroen C5 Aircross plug-in SUVs. The brand saved its boldest flourishes though, for the interior, which was intended to be an extrovert celebration of everything that's cutting edge in French fashion.

Alcantara, open-pore wood inlays and leather feature in copious quantities appropriate to the Parisian-themed trim package you've chosen.

The 'E' embossed onto the gearbox control was apparently a nod to the DS E-TENSE electric Concept Car Even the techno-fest that must rather incongruously fit in around all of this frippery couldn't escape the Louis Vuitton treatment.

So the super-sized 12-inch infotainment touchscreen that struggles to fit in at the top of the centre stack gets a strange barrel-style crystal-like centre volume dial.

And, like the 12-inch instrument binnacle TFT monitor, can be configured via a 'DS Sensorial Drive' feature to display its information in shades of either Cashmere or Titanium.

Rear seat space is good; even for a six-footer sitting behind quite a lanky front seat occupant, the legroom on offer should be quite sufficient.

The backrest reclines from 23 to 32-degrees in rake - electrically on the top model - which is nice for longer journeys.

Unfortunately though, there's no sliding mechanism for the seat base, which is a pity.

This SUV is a 5-seater only. Out back, the boot of this electrified version is exactly the same size as that of a conventionally-engined five-seat model, 555-litres in size.

Which is massively better than the restricted 395-litres you'd get in a directly comparable Audi Q5 TFSIe.

If you need more room and use the cargo sidewall catches to push forward the 60:40-split seat, you can free up 1,752-litres of total fresh air.

Please contact us for an exact up-to-date valuation.

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.

With E-TENSE PHEV models made in 2019, there was a recall to correct incorrectly-aligned electrodes for the traction batteries.

Some 2020-built models were recalled due to a potential crack in the rear steering knuckles. Quite a few owners have complained that the suspension system is not properly calibrated, but DS has ignored that.

Quite a few electrical issues came up in our survey, most commonly with the central screen, which is known to sometimes fail, glitch out or go blank; check its functions thoroughly.

We've come across several start-up issues, one owner's alarm kept going off and there have been a number of reported battery problems.

Otherwise, it's just the usual things.

Check the alloys for scratches, the interior for child damage and require a fully-stamped service history.

(approx based on a 2020 DS 7 Crossback E-Tense 4x4 300 - Ex Vat) An oil filter is in the £4-£10 bracket.

An air filter is in the £15-£80 bracket and a pollen filter costs typically between £11 and £36.

A water pump is around £43-£81.

A radiator is round £212.

Front brake pads sit in the £26-£90 bracket; rears will sit in the £43-£63 bracket.

Front brake discs sit in the £161-£165 bracket; rear discs are about £73-£85.

A wiper is around £8.

Unlike the DS brand's smaller electrified model from this period, the DS 3 Crossback E-TENSE, this car isn't a full-electric SUV.

Instead, a 200hp 1.6-litre petrol turbo engine beats beneath the bonnet, its efforts boosted by a 13.2kWh battery that powers an accompanying pair of 109hp electric motors which together boost total power output up to 300hp.

That equates to a useful 450Nm of torque, which is transmitted to the tarmac via an eight-speed auto gearbox.

62mph from rest occupies 6.5s.

When fully charged, this car can cover up to 31 WLTP-rated miles in zero emission form, though you won't go anywhere like that far if you explore the possibility for an 83mph all-electric top speed. There are four drive modes available.

'Zero emission' is the default setting, which sees functioning only using its electric motors.

More commonly, you'll be running in 'Hybrid mode', which sees the electric motors and the engine efficiently working together.

If you're pressing on, you'll use 'Sport' mode, which is engine-only.

This is a 4x4 model and if you're off piste, you can make the most of that by engaging a '4WD' setting which activates the rear axle for all-wheel drive.

So how does it all work in practice? Well as you might expect, the extra weight of all this electrified kit (around 400kgs) is certainly noticeable once you start pushing along a bit through the corners.

But this is really only significantly evident once you start driving the car in a manner that few likely owners never will.

Better to throttle back and enjoy the superb ride comfort and refinement and the relaxed, loping refined demeanour that suits this Gallic contender best.

This car will be vanishingly rare.

But then so are its direct PHEV competitors from Volvo and Audi in this period.

The DS 7 Crossback E-TENSE has a more distinctive feel than those cars.

Not one that'll suit everyone, but if you're sold into plug-in tech, want a luxury 'D'-segment SUV and likely the thought of something a little different, then this is where you might like to start your search.