DS 4, French-style Premium Compact

Based on the Citroën C4, the DS 4 shares a platform, engines and a wide variety of components with the French veteran. The PSA Group, with its new independent brand finally unrelated to Citroën, goes one step further in terms of luxury, design and sportiness.

Redesigned in 2015, it gives the option to choose two variants of the model: the DS 4 known until now and a new variant, Crossback, with a more SUV image, unpainted black wheel arches to improve protection, greater clearance to the ground, etc.

Not only are there cosmetic changes to the disguised C4, it also improves the suspension kit, steering, and interior trim.

Design

With 4.27 meters in length, the French brand has managed to give a premium  touch to its compact.

At the front, the grille has a new format, larger and with the brand’s emblem positioned in the center. The optical groups are also of a new format and all have LED technology.

In the profile view, very small rear windows stand out, a consequence of a whimsical aesthetic that not only remains there, but is also not practical, since we will not be able to open them. To top off the large number of drawbacks generated by its daring design, DS has decided to place the rear door handles on the C-pillar, with the difficulties of opening for a child.

The rear has not undergone major changes in its latest update, with a design that oozes excess of veterancy. The lights now feature LED technology and have a chrome trim on the bottom. At 1.52 meters tall, the DS 4 appears taller than it actually is. Although it is above average, we do not have this feeling with a Nissan Pulsar, with which it shares height.

Aesthetically, the new jacket version of the DS 4, the Crossback, seems more attractive to us. With chrome roof rails, higher ground clearance, and redesigned bumpers, it has a more premium and contemporary look.

Inside

Both the DS 4 and the DS 4 Crossback, keep the same interior with the same versions, so the information is valid for both.

In the front seats, we find the dashboard of the Citroën C4. Only by passing our hand over the upper part of the dashboard and when we touch the parts can we see that the overall quality is better, especially in the versions that have leather on the dashboard.

It has a multifunction screen located in a fairly high position, which facilitates its use, where most of the parameters are handled. The air conditioning controls have their own particular button panel, and we hope that it will continue to be the same for future generations because it is a success.

In the rear seats the problems begin for the compact French. No matter where you look at it, it is below average. The legroom is more of a utility vehicle, and the width at shoulder height makes three adults ride very tight. An Opel Astra or a Kia Ceed are much better resolved in these respects.

The boot, at 359 liters, is also below average for its competitors.

Dynamic

On wide and fast roads, the DS4 is presented as an alternative for someone looking for a comfortable and quiet car. Like the vehicle from which it came, it is very good at traveling a lot of kilometers without the occupants noticing too much fatigue. It is stable and very pleasant to drive.

On mountain roads things change, and although it is slightly better than the Citroën C4, because it has a significantly harder suspension, it does not reach the dynamic level of a Ford Focus or a Volkswagen Golf. Their reactions, while neutral and predictable, are heavy-duty and it’s not difficult to pitch the front of the car if we pick up the pace.

The Crossback version, with a slightly higher center of gravity, has a slightly more pronounced roll, but negligible at normal pace.

Engines

The French brand offers a wide range of engines:

• Gasoline : the access engine is a 1.2 PureTech with turbo that delivers 130 hp of power. An engine that suits this DS like a glove, accelerating from 0 to 100 km / h in 9.9 seconds. Above, we have the 1.6 THP also with turbo but with two power ranges: 165 and 210 hp. The latter stands out for its low consumption, with only 5.9 liters per 100 kilometers traveled, but not for its performance for the power it declares: it goes from 0 to 100 km / h in 7.8 seconds.

• Diesel : part of a 1.6 BlueHDI with 100 HP of power, a low power for a vehicle of these characteristics. Above we have the winner in sales of the model, also with the 1.6 BlueHDI but with 120 hp, which achieves correct performance and record consumption, with 3.8 liters / 100km. Those looking for extra power have the 2.0 BlueHDI with 150 or 180 hp, the latter only available with automatic transmission.

Price

Part of the € 21,030 that the 1.2 PureTech costs with the Design finish, up to the € 39,080 that the brand asks us for the 2.0 BlueHDI 180 hp in the Crossback version and the Terre Rouge finish.

They are high prices if we compare them with the compact generalists, but cheaper than those of the Volvo V40, a potential rival.

The DS 4 is somewhat lacking in its segment

The DS 4 and the Crossback version are models that appeal to those who do not like to have the same car as their neighbor, who like a certain premium character  that is comfortable and eye-catching.

There are many virtues of this French produced by DS Automobiles, but there are also many shortcomings, such as the interior space or the somewhat outdated design of the dashboard. But that is not his main problem, his nightmares are called BMW 1 Series, Audi A3, or Volvo V40. There’s a lot of meat on the grill already.