DS 7 [Rivoli E-Tense 4x4 300] Review (2025)

Introduction

If you’re after a luxury SUV, one that’s historically derived from a Citroen may not be an immediately obvious choice. But that’s precisely why DS exists.

The moniker ‘DS’ first emerged in 2009. It was intended to be a stamp of enhanced luxury as part of Citroen’s lineup.

However, because the words 'Citroen' and 'luxury' didn't go together very well, DS soon spun off into its own brand of vehicles in 2014.

But to say that today's DS is just a re-badged Citroen is cruel.

Since its split, DS has worked hard to refine and perfect its designs, resulting in a range of vehicles distinct from the standard Citroen lineup, even if many still share the same underpinnings.

The car we’re looking at today is the DS 7– a mid-size SUV that’s the biggest one DS makes.

Admittedly, the DS 7 is based on the same EMP2 platform as the Citroen C5 Aircross, but the similarities don’t go much further than that.

First launched in 2017 as the DS 7 Crossback, the latter part of its name was dropped when it received a mid-life facelift in 2022.

The DS 7 is aimed squarely at Audi, BMW, and Volvo and the understated but impressive Mazda CX-5.

But how worthy a contender is it?

We are aiming to find out here.

At A Glance

The DS 7 certainly impresses in terms of exterior looks.

The front end has a wide, almost hexagonal grille, similar to Audi's, although on the DS, it's filled in with a mesh made up of various chrome nodules.

A lower grille is separated by a horizontal bar which runs directly beneath the number plate.

There are claw-like day-running lights, too, which almost appear to stream down the front of the car at each side, while the headlights taper in slightly towards the middle.

At the sides, the French motor doesn't look as aggressive, with indentations and shapely side skirts, while the slight slope of the roofline is also visible.

At the rear, the taillights are thin and horizontally spread, connected by a strip with the words ‘DS AUTOMOBILES’ in small, spaced-out lettering.

The logo sits beneath, between the strip and the number plate, above two rear fog lights.

The bodywork is shaped like a diffuser at the bottom, and a surprisingly large tailpipe sits on each side.

It has a very nicely designed exterior which looks sophisticated and even quite athletic from some angles.

It doesn't look out of place against an Audi Q3 or a BMW X1.

Key Features

One interesting thing is that DS has recently simplified its trim levels.

There have been numerous ones over the years, notably Performance Line, Performance Line+, Rivoli and Opera.

There was also La Premiere - a limited launch edition that went out of production in 2023 - and Esprit de Voyage, which made a brief entry a couple of years ago.

Now, there are only two trim levels: Pallas and Etoile. But DS lent us a 2024 model in Rivoli trim to test – the old trim levels can often be picked up with a discount – and there’s still stock available.

The Rivoli trim has 19-inch alloys, a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, DAB radio, voice control, satellite navigation, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and keyless entry.

You also get electrically adjustable heated massage front seats, pixel LED headlights, LED taillights, chrome roof rails, a basalt black leather interior, and an analogue BRM R180 timepiece in the middle of the dashboard.

Roughly speaking, the Pallas trim is about on par with Rivoli, while Etoile is the effective equivalent of the old Opera trim.

Opera added Nappa leather, ventilated front seats, an electric tailgate, an electric panoramic sunroof, wireless charging and two front USB-C ports.

There are some variances, though – notably, Pallas includes the panoramic sunroof – so it's worth checking out the precise differences before you commit to leasing.

In terms of power, there are four options.

BlueHDi 130 utilises a 1.5-litre four-cylinder diesel engine, producing 130PS.

Then, there are three plug-in hybrids (PHEVS) in the E-Tense range, all based on a 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol.

The E-Tense 225 produces 225PS, the E-Tense 4x4 300 outputs 296PS, and the E-Tense 4x4 360 produces 355PS.

As you may have guessed, as their names suggest, the latter two offer all-wheel drive.

It is worth noting that on the E-Tense 4x4 360 versions, you get larger 21-inch alloys instead – and that’s what we’re testing here.

Range & Batteries

All models in the E-Tense range come with a 14.2kWh battery.

That is good for a maximum all-electric range of 43 miles in the 225, 42 miles in the 4x4 300, and 36 miles in the 4x4 360, although don’t expect to achieve that in the real world.

Performance & Drive

We are reviewing the DS 7 E-Tense 4x4 300, which accelerates well. It manages a 0-62mph sprint in 5.9 seconds, which feels rip-roaringly quick in a car like this.

You can go even faster if you want, as the E-Tense 4x4 360 version trims 0.3 seconds off that time, while the E-Tense 225 takes 8.9 seconds, which is still perfectly acceptable.

Unless you need all-wheel drive and especially want the extra performance, the E-Tense 225 makes more sense unless you regularly load the car with many adults and all their luggage.

The BlueHDi 130 diesel is another option, but at 10.7 seconds, it's by far the slowest and requires more effort to drive. The engine needs to be thrashed to extract performance compared with the E-Tense models.

When driving the E-Tense, the engine will switch itself on and off as required, but we noticed the transition isn’t always the smoothest, with plenty of rivals able to do a more refined job, but it’s not a deal breaker.

Handling in any SUV isn't a strong point, but given that the DS 7 wants to position itself as a premium car, it still has a way to go to compete with the established German marques of Audi and BMW.

The DS 7 has oodles of grip, and the steering, which weights up nicely around faster bends and feels precise, helps you feel confident when cornering.

However, push things just a little too far and the DS 7 can’t sort itself out with the same composure as some of its upmarket foes.

Usually, manufacturers must choose between comfort and handling - few can do a good job of both, although admittedly, Audi and BMW can.

Even so, while the DS 7 isn’t in the same league, it’s comfortable for a car whose handling is reasonably good, albeit not as engaging as its Germanic competitors.

Active Scan technology, which, when the DS 7 is in Comfort mode, literally uses a camera to scan the road and then adjusts the adaptive suspension accordingly to best deal with whatever lies ahead of the vehicle, helps in the two 4x4 E-Tense models.

This is fine in the 4x4 300 model we’re testing, but the benefits are somewhat negated by the huge 21-inch alloy wheels on the 4x4 360, which make the ride firmer.

Overall, the DS 7 is impressive, offering excellent levels of ride comfort without ruining the handling.

Its performance, especially in the E-Tense models, is also a plus. But all things considered, we'd question whether anyone leasing a DS 7 needs the power offered by the 4x4 300, let alone the 4x4 360.

Charging

The E-Tense 225 can only be charged at a maximum rate of 3.7kW, whereas the 4x4 300 and 4x4 360 versions can charge at a faster 7.4kW.

As a result, the latter two can achieve a 0-100% top-up in one hour and 55 minutes, whereas the E-Tense 225 takes three and three-quarter hours.

All take six-and-a-half hours to achieve the same from a standard UK three-pin socket, in which case all models' maximum charging speed is reduced to 2.3kW. Want to know more about charging an EV? Find out in our complete guide to electric car charging.

Running Costs & Emissions

The BlueHDi 130 returns around 50mpg, emitting 146g/km of CO2.

It is not bad at all, but the economy figures of the E-Tense range blow the oil-burner out of the water. The 225 returns 177-250mpg and emits 26-36g/km of CO2.

The E-Tense 4x4 300 manages 193-249mpg, producing 26-33g/km of CO2, while the 4x4 360 variant returns 161.1mpg, releasing 40g/km of CO2.

When choosing a company car, an E-Tense model is obvious due to the savings in Benefit In Kind tax compared with the diesel.

DS is still a relatively new brand, so a complete picture of long-term reliability is still hard to forecast, but parent company Citroen is doing quite well nowadays.

Interior & Technology

When you step inside the DS 7, you will get a good first impression, as it is bathed in sophistication and upmarket opulence.

The cabin isn't ostentatious or excessive but has a ‘wow’ factor.

The dashboard, which is a concave shape, sprawls out, giving a cockpit-like feel – and this, added to the flat-bottomed steering wheel, large infotainment screen and the heavy use of silver décor around the gear selector – impresses.

Even the triangular shape of the air vents, as well as the aluminium pedals on our test car, suits the general ambience.

It is a very nicely designed interior.

However, although plenty of soft-to-the-touch materials are on offer, it doesn't take long to realise that the fit and finish aren't on par with the German premium brands, nor is the quality of the materials used in the cabin.

A lot of the silver décor feels cheap, and some of the materials on the lower parts of the dashboard are thin plastics.

The range of materials and surfaces feels like a mishmash - it doesn't quite fit together as seamlessly as its more established challengers.

It is a decent effort that's very eye-catching, but it's also clear where the odd corner has been cut.

The infotainment touchscreen is very nice to look at, features a sharp display, and is reasonably responsive to touches, swipes and prods from your fingers and thumbs.

The home screen has customisable features and several shortcut buttons underneath, too, so navigating to specific menus quickly is easy.

That is the theory, as we found them a bit too small to reliably hit when on the move.

Hopefully, muscle memory will build over time, so you’ll know exactly where to press without diverting your attention from the road too much.

It is complemented by a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, which can display a full-screen map in front of you to aid your journey when using the SatNav. The view can also be customised so you can prioritise the information you want to read.

Unfortunately, one feature we’d rather not see on the touchscreen is the temperature controls, which are included instead of much more convenient physical controls.

We can live with the inconvenience, though. We found the voice control reasonably accurate, but we’d rather have a few buttons to press.

Practicality & Boot Space

The DS 7's electric front seat adjustment makes finding a good driving position easy.

The pleasingly nice massage function also helps with comfort, which is aided by the absorbing ride quality we mentioned earlier.

There is plenty of travel in the seats and steering wheel, which is also electrically adjustable, and you take a commanding seating position when at the wheel.

As a result, forward visibility is pretty good, although the front pillars aren't the thinnest, and the windscreen is swept back.

Rear visibility isn’t as agreeable, as the pillars are much thicker. This is not helped by the rather large borders around the glass itself, which obstruct your over-the-shoulder view.

Thankfully, a 180-degree reversing camera and front and rear parking sensors are included.

Space-wise, there’s lots of it in the front, so even taller adults won’t be struggling for headroom or legroom.

Neither are found in such quantities in the back, though, where adults will feel a bit hemmed in. Plus, the sloping roofline and the panoramic sunroof rob you of an inch or two more in the rear seats.

Under-thigh support isn't the greatest in the back either, as your feet are pretty high up when flat on the floor compared with some rivals.

You also get a reclining rear bench and an adjustable boot floor on higher trim levels.

Speaking of the latter, boot space measures 555 litres and expands to 1,752 litres with the rear seats folded down. That is the same in all versions of the DS 7, including the BlueHDi 130 diesel.

That is on par with competitors from Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Volvo. In fact, the larger boot space figure means the DS 7 is virtually the class leader, although several competitors beat the smaller figure.

Interior storage impresses, too, with large, carpeted door bins, a generously sized cubby in the centre console, a lidded tray behind the gear lever, and two cupholders, although the glove compartment isn't the biggest.

Safety

The DS 7 was tested by Euro NCAP in 2017, earning a five-star rating, although this rating has now expired as it was so long ago.

Nevertheless, it scored 91% for adults, 87% for children and 76% for safety assists.

It is worth noting that, as safety technology improves, Euro NCAP revises its scoring criteria every couple of years, so the DS 7 may not score as highly if it were re-tested today.

It has plenty of safety tech, including automatic emergency braking, cruise control with speed limiter, tyre pressure monitoring, speed limit recognition warning, driver attention alert, parking sensors and a reversing camera.

It also includes the Advanced Safety Pack, which includes blind spot detection, lane-keeping assist, and extended traffic sign recognition.

DS Drive Assist can be added as an option in models where it's not included as standard. It adds semi-autonomous driving, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, and lane positioning assist.

Options

There are several extras you can obtain to personalise your DS 7.

Twenty-inch alloys cost extra, while some models (including the Rivoli trim we’re testing) can have a ‘black pack’ which adds black wings, window surrounds and roof rails.

The DS Drive Assist pack, mentioned in the Safety section, is an extra on the Rivoli model.

There is also a Sunroof Pack, which includes an electrically openable panoramic sunroof, laminated windows, improved air conditioning, a B.R.M. analogue timepiece, and aluminium sports pedals. However, the sunroof itself is also available separately.

The Night Vision pack adds DS Night Vision, a 360-degree surround-view camera and the DS Drive Assist pack.

Rival Cars

The main rivals to the DS 7 include the BMW X1 and Audi Q3.

There is also the Volvo XC40 and the understated but superb value-for-money Mazda CX-5, while the Lexus NX is also worth looking at.

If badge snobbery isn't your cup of tea, the Nissan Qashqai has much to offer.

Verdict & Next Steps

The DS 7 is a very good attempt at a premium SUV, with plenty going in its favour.

It has lots of personality in terms of its looks, a nice cabin, is generously equipped, and is practical, not to mention economical in the E-Tense models.

It is also very comfortable - especially in models with the Active Scan tech, which is standard on the all-wheel drive E-Tense variants - yet handles reasonably well despite the absorbing ride.

All things considered, we’d go with the E-Tense 225, which has more than enough grunt. We would add the Active Scan as an optional extra, and we'd only go for the 4x4 300 that we tested if you need all-wheel drive.

However, the DS is quickly undone. It isn’t as sophisticated as adversaries such as Audi and BMW, which offer more refinement and premium interior materials for similar money.

Had the DS undercut the German brands, it could put up more of an argument. But it's expensive for a car that's up against such formidable competition despite the cost savings that a plug-in hybrid offers.

That is frustrating, as it's an otherwise impressive car.

Where to next?

View latest DS 7 lease deals - from just £417 per month inc VAT**.

Call us on 0118 3048 688 or hit the green 'Enquire' button for more details.

Looking for a great leasing deal? Check out our incredible range of Special Offers and Lease Deals. 

New SUV? Read our latest Reviews and find the right model for you.

Want to know more about leasing? Take a look at our comprehensive Leasing Guides.

Interested in everything motoring? Why not catch up on all the latest Car Leasing News.

**Score based on Select’s unique meta score analysis, taking into account the UK’s top leading independent car website reviews of the DS7 SUV.

**Correct as of 12/06/2025. Based on 9 months initial payment, 5,000 miles annually, over a 48 month lease. Initial payment equivalent to 9 monthly payments, or £3,754.08 (Plus admin fee) Ts and Cs apply. Credit is subject to status.