DS No. 8 Review

Introduction

If anyone was ever going to make a rival Rolls-Royce, we didn't think it would be a company spun off from Citroën.

But that's precisely what's happened… sort of.

Granted, DS launching a Rolls-Royce rival won’t trouble the Goodwood-based manufacturer.

You will be able to lease several of these new cars for the price of one Spectre or Ghost, after all.

To go back a bit, DS used to be the name of more comfortable and luxurious trim levels that Citroën offered – a standard Citroën, but with some added bells and whistles.

However, realising the Citroën name was holding it back, DS was soon launched as its own brand, distancing itself from Citroën more and more over the years since, and it now produces its own cars.

The No. 8 has been hotly anticipated for a while, and now it's here.

And, if you’re stubborn, a bit snobbish and staunchly refusing to believe it's not a Citroën, well, we have news for you: this might be the ‘Citroën’ you’re really going to want.

Occasionally, car manufacturers go a bit insane – the French have form for it – but it's pretty rare that something like the No. 8 ever really makes it into mass production.

This is an electric car, too, so it should be as quiet and relaxing as any other luxury car – and, despite its coupe-ish stance, it’s technically a crossover SUV.

At least, that’s what we’re hoping for.

One other thing to mention – this car has the notable distinction of being called the “DS No. 8”, rather than just the ‘DS 8’ like the rest of the range.

However, while many may understandably think this is to emphasise sophistication and exclusivity, it's actually a change in naming conventions from DS.

All future models will be taking the “No.” bit with them, too.

And yes, the correct pronunciation in the UK is “DS Number 8” – we don’t need to use the French “numero” here, so DS has told us.

At A Glance

Okay, maybe we were ahead of ourselves with the Rolls-Royce comparison.

The main reason, after all, was the paint job – crystal pearl (a sort of light silver) with the mid-half including the bonnet, in black – it really does look like a Roller from a certain angle if you squint.

Admittedly, it looks more DS-like in a standard colour scheme – but still absolutely stunning.

It features a flat front with a large grille panel, accompanied by spearing daytime running lights, and blackened bodywork that blends seamlessly into the thinned-out headlights at the top.

Around the sides, you’ll see it's a very rakish coupe, even though it's a four-door (the rear door handles are deliberately hidden to deceive).

There is cladding around the wheel arches and underneath the doors, while the alloys look impressively large.

Around the back, there’s a minimalist take, with taillights splitting off in three directions – around the side of the car, vertically at the corners, and horizontally towards the centre of the boot.

The straight-down bodywork curves outwards as you go further down, with black protrusions taking over, including the number plate housing.

Another thing that’s instantly noticeable about the No. 8 is its aerodynamic design, with smooth lines that channel airflow efficiently. Additionally, it’s fitted with active flaps to reduce drag.

It is a stirringly attractive vehicle which we’re desperately hoping is as good to drive as it looks.

Key Features

DS has simplified its trim levels recently – a trend continued on the No. 8, with just two versions offered.

The entry-level Pallas comes standard with 20-inch alloy wheels, a 16.0-inch infotainment touchscreen featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, digital radio, SatNav, ChatGPT-powered voice control, an eight-speaker audio system, and a head-up display.

You also get a wireless smartphone charger, a brushed aluminium dashboard, eight-colour polyambient lighting, aluminium pedals, LED headlights and taillights, a heated steering wheel, power-folding door mirrors, and keyless entry.

Dual-zone air conditioning, automatic windscreen wipers, front, rear and side parking sensors and tinted rear windows are all included as standard.

The range-topping Etoile features PixelVision headlights, a luminous grille panel, a black roof, front and rear cameras, a digital rear-view mirror, and an eternal blue Alcantara interior.

There are three powertrains to pick from.

Both trim levels are available with a front-wheel drive (FWD) electric motor producing 230 PS, or the Long-Range version, which offers 245 PS.

Alternatively, top-of-the-range Etoile can have a dual-motor Long Range version with all-wheel drive (AWD), outputting 350PS.

Range & Batteries

The 230PS FWD version comes with a 74kWh battery, offering up to 364 miles.

The two Long Range versions – the FWD 245PS variant and the AWD model – feature a larger 97.2 kWh battery.

Their official ranges are 471 miles and 431 miles, respectively.

Performance & Drive

We have had the opportunity to drive both FWD and AWD versions of the No. 8, both equipped with the larger battery.

While the entry-level model with the smaller battery takes 7.7 seconds to accelerate to 62 mph, the more powerful FWD model is marginally slower, at 7.8 seconds, due to the larger, and therefore heavier, battery. Both times are perfectly satisfactory.

We headed out on a more extended test in the higher-powered 245PS version. That car came in entry-level Pallas trim with topaz blue paint, which suits it perfectly.

If performance is a key factor, the AWD model is for you, cutting the 0-62 time to 5.4 seconds – and, for short periods, it'll produce an extra 30PS, outputting 380PS (rather than the advertised 350PS).

All versions can offer such a boost, but the power difference between the AWD and FWD versions is noticeable. However, all No. 8s have enough poke to perform overtakes with ease.

Neither will trouble the performance of Tesla, but DS's priorities are range and efficiency, not raw clout.

Our AWD car comes in the higher Etoile trim, in Crystal Pearl paint with the optional ‘duotone’ colour, turning the roof and bonnet black.

It doesn’t make it go any faster, but the Etoile includes ‘active scan’ suspension, which uses cameras to scan the road before adjusting the dampers to best prepare for whatever is ahead.

The system irons out creases and crevices in the road surface, and the DS responds in a mature, calm manner to anything thrown at it.

Cars that feel comfortable rarely handle adeptly, but while that's true here, the No. 8 performed better than expected when we took both test cars on a twisty back road.

Body lean around faster bends is well controlled, so it doesn’t lurch about. Meanwhile, the steering weights up nicely in the bends, but feels more like an executive cruiser rather than an agile, light sports car.

It is smooth, especially the AWD version, but all variants have the same character – it’s very much a car for wafting along with elegance, rather than tearing around hairpins.

Driving the No. 8, then, is a serene and calm experience, but what it lacks in athletic enthusiasm, it compensates for in tranquillity.

The regenerative braking is excellent, blending seamlessly with the mechanical braking, feeling consistent and predictable.

One-pedal driving is possible in its highest setting, which can be adjusted using paddles located behind the steering wheel.

It is a different animal from your typical German premium executive motor, but it's a viable alternative if ride comfort is a priority.

And, given that the No. 8 is an easy-going vehicle, there’s little need to go with the more powerful variants.

Charging

All No. 8s have a maximum DC charging speed of 160kW. That is okay, but plenty of competitors can do better nowadays.

Kia and Hyundai have cars capable of charging up at 350kW – a figure matched by the Lotus Eletre.

Still, a 20-80% top-up takes 26 minutes if you have the smaller battery, and 27 minutes if you have the larger battery.

The onboard AC charger is capable of speeds of up to 11kW, which can achieve a 20-80% top-up in 7.75 hours and 8.75 hours, respectively.

Upgrades are promised soon, which will increase the AC charging speeds to 22kW.

It also features V2L (vehicle-to-load), allowing you to power electrical devices directly from the DS. Want to know more about EV charging? Check out our guide to charging an electric car.

Running Costs & Emissions

Given that the DS No. 8 is all-electric, there are no emissions to worry about and, of course, no fuel economy figures.

As a result, the No. 8 should be very cheap to run, even if you choose the AWD 350PS version.

It will also be much lighter on your pay packet if you’re using it as a company car – Benefit In Kind tax greatly favours plug-in hybrids and, even more so, zero emissions vehicles.

As for reliability, that’s a good question. DS is still a relatively new brand, so it often doesn't feature in reliability surveys; however, its sister marque, Citroën, is doing rather well these days.

Interior & Technology

The cabin looks lovely.

We are a bit spoiled, as much like the pearl and white exterior, which wowed us at the start, we also get a dual-tone interior, with white seats and a dashboard, but with a darkish blue centre console, steering wheel, and seatbacks.

The colour scheme is known as ‘pearl and eternal blue’.

Interestingly, the steering wheel features four diagonal spokes, covered in gold, rather than the more traditional silver.

The gold can also be found on the DS logo in the centre of the wheel, as well as the dashboard’s outer (and also diagonal) air vents.

The dash itself is two-tiered, almost resembling a small desk, and the infotainment screen is positioned on the lower tier, so it doesn't obstruct your view at all.

It is wide and lit up with gorgeous ambient lighting. It really looks the part!

As for the infotainment system, the screen doesn't appear as large as its 16.0-inch size suggests, mainly because it's broader than it is tall.

Nevertheless, it’s big enough – if anything, it's so wide that you might struggle to see the left-hand side of the screen. However, DS says it's also been designed to be used by a front-seat passenger if needed.

It offers a sharp display, is responsive to your inputs, and features shortcut buttons. The home screen also has customisable features.

Some of the icons are too small to press accurately on the move, but it's a robust system that looks modern, contemporary, and well-designed.

You also get a 10.25-inch digital display, featuring high resolution and modern graphics.

When using the SatNav, it works in conjunction with the adaptive cruise control to automatically slow down when approaching a corner too quickly, as well as at junctions and roundabouts.

Overall, the interior is gorgeous and unique – it doesn't try to fit in with other premium brand cars.

The DS is trying to do its own thing – that’s refreshing – and, in our opinion, it’ll be highly successful.

Practicality & Boot Space

Getting comfortable in the driver’s seat is straightforward, although it’s even easier if you’ve got electric adjustment, which is an optional extra.

Despite the car's low stance compared with other SUV crossovers, the front seats offer plenty of headroom and legroom for you and your passenger, with a wide centre console that should prevent shoulder-banging contests.

In the rear, the space is okay rather than luxurious.

If you’re very tall, you’ll not have much space between your scalp and the roof, although the legroom should be sufficient.

There is a compromise on under-thigh support, as the floor is raised slightly to accommodate the batteries. As a result, the seats are angled slightly more to compensate for this.

DS recommends the optional panoramic roof for those who want more headroom. In most cars, it limits rear headroom, as the ceiling is slightly lower to accommodate it. However, in the DS, the sunroof extends into the rear, providing some additional headroom due to the thinner glass used compared with the rest of the ceiling.

With such a low boot, you wouldn’t think it’d be that big, but you’d be wrong. In the AWD version, 638 litres of space is offered, and you’ll get even more in the FWD versions – 698 litres, making the latter’s boot more accommodating than a BMW X5.

You can fold the DS' rear seats in a convenient and versatile 40:20:40 split, although DS hasn’t confirmed how much extra room this creates.

There is some underfloor storage, and plenty of other space inside the cabin, as well.

Safety

The DS No. 8 has yet to be tested by Euro NCAP; however, there should be few concerns.

DS isn't among the top performers for safety, as three of its last five cars received only four-star ratings, but the other two earned a full five-star score.

The last model to be crash-tested was the DS 9 in 2022, earning four stars, with scores of 79% for adult occupants, 86% for children, and 67% for safety assists.

In the DS No. 8, these assists include auto emergency braking, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality, tyre pressure monitoring, and DS Drive Assists 2.0, which provides semi-autonomous driving capabilities with automatic lane and speed regulation.

Front and rear parking sensors are factory-fitted on all models, along with a 360-degree camera.

You can also get an add-on called Absolute Tech, which includes DS Driver Attention Monitoring to detect drowsiness and DS Night Vision. It utilises an infrared camera to display night vision on the digital instrument display, among other features.

Options

The default body colour is dark ‘topaz’ blue, but black, dark grey, crystal (light grey) pearl and white are also available if you’re happy to pay extra.

If you want what we believed to be the 'Rolls-Royce' look earlier, then you’ll need the ‘extended duotone’ paint, making both bonnet and roof black, although you can opt for just a black roof.

Disappointingly, the standard interior colours on the upper trim aren’t as impressive as the lower trim.

Pallas is white and blue, while the upper trim is just blue (albeit with Alcantara); however, you can upgrade this to Nappa leather, which is an orangey-brown colour. All options look nice.

On the Pallas, the Comfort pack includes extended dual-zone air conditioning, ambient air recycling, an enhanced alarm system, an upgraded steering wheel and electric and heated front seats with memory function.

For the Etoile, the Absolute Comfort option includes a 14-speaker 3D Focal sound system, a heated windscreen, heated and ventilated front seats with a memory function and adjustable side bolsters, as well as heated and ventilated rear seats.

It will also add the DS Neck Warmer, which, as the name suggests, gently blows warm air onto the necks of front-seat occupants.

The laminated panoramic sunroof we mentioned earlier is also offered.

Rival Cars

There are plenty of rivals for your money.

The Polestar 4 presents stiff competition, while the Tesla Model Y and Audi Q6 e-Tron are also viable alternatives, alongside the Mercedes-Benz EQB and BMW i4.

Peugeot also offers the e-3008.

Mazda will soon launch the 6E – a very understated brand worth watching out for.

Verdict & Next Steps

The DS No. 8 is a very impressive car.

It is reasonably practical, given its coupe styling, and it's terrific to look at, both inside and out. The DS is packed full of technology and comes well-equipped as standard.

The range is decent, too, even with the smaller batteries, and although many foes surpass the charging speeds, they should still be sufficient for all but the most impatient individuals.

The No. 8 is a very tempting lease if you're looking for something that's a welcome change from the norm, very unique, and a tad quirky.

The only real problem is the cost – a Tesla Model Y is considerably cheaper at entry level, for example – and the No. 8’s price is comparable with that of the Mercedes-Benz EQB.

We would opt for a lower-powered version to save money – the extra power seems at odds with the car’s relaxed attitude. However, the higher Etoile trim might be worth it for the active scan suspension, even if the Pallas version is still very comfortable.

Even in its most basic form, though, the DS No. 8 is pricey.

However, it’s also very, very nice.

Where to next?

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**Score based on Select’s unique meta score analysis, taking into account the UK’s top leading independent car website reviews of the DS No8

**Correct as of 23/07/2025. Based on 9 months initial payment, 5,000 miles annually, over a 48 month lease. Initial payment equivalent to 9 monthly payments, or £5,930.19 (Plus admin fee) Ts and Cs apply. Credit is subject to status.