DS 4

This second generation DS 4 compact hatch is the French brand's best car yet, thinks Jonathan Crouch

Ten Second Review

The second generation DS 4 compact premium hatch deserves more recognition than it'll probably get. For us, this is the most interesting and distinctive car of its kind in this part of the market. There are sharp looks, a stand-out cabin - and the option of clever damping technology too. PHEV engine tech's there if you want it and all the powertrains are efficient. In short, there's lots to like if you don't mind the premium pricing.

Background

The PSA Group's DS brand has yet to gain much traction in the UK. The brand launched in stand-alone form in 2015, mostly re-badging sportier Citroens until it could launch its own design, the DS 7 Crossback SUV, in 2017. Since then, we've had the small but rather curious-looking DS 3 Crossback. And the DS 8 upper mid-sized saloon. Nothing though, to really get people talking. But this car, the second generation DS 4, just might.

The company's first DS 4 sold between 2015 and 2019 and was one of those re-badged Citroens just mentioned, though in that case, the donor car wasn't a sporty one. The design instead was essentially almost entirely borrowed from the rather mediocre underpinnings of a second generation Citroen C4. Back then, the market didn't much want a C4 - and it didn't want a pricier C4 in a tux either. But forget all that because second time around, this DS 4 is a very different proposition. Can it deliver? Let's find out.

Driving Experience

The avant garde looks promise sophisticated driving technology and that's what you get. For top variants, DS has carried over its clever Active Scan Suspension system from the DS 7 Crossback. This scans the road ahead as you drive, over a distance of between 5 and 25-metres and alters damping, dependent on the state of the tarmac. You can also specify infra-red night vision. And Level 2 semi-autonomous driving tech. Enough with that - you'll want to know about engines, all of which are familiar PSA Group powerplants and all of which, non-negotiably have to come with EAT8 8-speed automatic transmission.

There's a 130hp 1.5-litre BlueHDi 130 diesel for those still addicted to the black pump. And three conventional PureTech petrol units, a three cylinder turbo 1.2-litre unit with 130hp; and two 1.6-litre powerplants, with either 178 or 223hp. There's no full-electric variant, which is odd, given that the current Citroen C4 can be had in full-EV form. But DS does offer a PHEV plug-in derivative that, as with various other Peugeots, Vauxhalls and Citroens that use it, features a 1.6-litre PureTech petrol engine mated to an electric motor powered by a 12.4kWh battery for a combined output of 223hp and an electric driving range of 31 miles.

Design and Build

DS hopes that the look of this car will sell it to you - and for sure it'll stand out in the supermarket car park. At first glance, you might be undecided as to whether this is a premium compact hatch or a premium small SUV - and that's entirely intentional. The styling's certainly Gallically avant garde, the front dominated by bold double daytime running lights and trendy matrix LED headlamps. Pavement presence? You get it here.

Inside the so-called 'Digital Seamless Cockpit', there's a fully digital cabin made up of no fewer than three displays, There's a 10-inch screen replacing conventional dials in the instrument cluster. And an infotainment display of the same size in the centre of the dash for media and navigation. This is controlled by a third 5-inch screen further down the centre stack known as the 'DS Smart Touch'. Out back, rear seat space is reasonable but unremarkable. And there's a decently-sized 430-litre boot - though this total falls to 390-litres in the PHEV variant.

Market and Model

This is where you have to decide whether your DS 4 should look like a premium compact hatch - or an SUV. If a premium compact hatch, you'll choose either base 'DS 4' or 'DS 4 Premium Line'-spec. If you like the Crossover vibe, you'll opt for the 'DS 4 Cross' trim level. The 'Premium Line' variant is the top spec and has different wheels, the exterior brightwork is replaced with matt black trim and it features Alcantara inside. In keeping with its SUV pretensions, the 'Cross' derivative gets roof bars and black plastic cladding.

As with its direct rivals, the BMW 1 Series, the Audi A3 Sportback and the Mercedes A-Class, it's theoretically possible to get a DS 4 for well under £30,000, but with the spec you'll probably want, a £30,000-£35,000 budget is probably more realistic. Especially if you want cutting edge tech like the Active Scan suspension system. And maybe one of the exquisitely stitched leather upholstery packages. You might also want to save some budget for features like the night vision set-up and the Head-up display. DS expects a large proportion of customers (maybe around 30%) to opt for the PHEV plug-in model.

Cost of Ownership

You'll want to know about engines, all of which are familiar PSA Group powerplants and all of which, non-negotiably have to come with EAT8 8-speed automatic transmission. There's a 130hp 1.5-litre BlueHDi 130 diesel for those still addicted to the black pump. And three conventional PureTech petrol units, a three cylinder turbo 1.2-litre unit with 130hp; and two 1.6-litre powerplants, with either 178 or 223hp. DS also offers a PHEV plug-in derivative that features a 1.6-litre PureTech petrol engine mated to an electric motor powered by a 12.4kWh battery for a combined output of 223hp and an electric driving range of 31 miles.

DS has sweated the details to get these kinds of returns. The engineers for instance achieved a 10% weight reduction in the weight of the alloy wheels (that's 1.5kg per wheel) with aerodynamic inserts in order to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. Servicing on most DS 4 models is needed every year or every 12,500 miles and the cost of garage visits should be affordable too.

Summary

This replacement car deserves a second chance from those who might have rejected its predecessor - or, more likely, failed to even notice its existence. It has the kind of pavement presence a rival 1 Series, A3 Sportback or A-Class noticeably lacks unless very expensively embellished. And there's some cutting-edge technology here that you just can't get with those cars. Will all that be enough though, given compatible pricing? It'll be interesting to see.

FACTS AT A GLANCE

CAR: DS 4

PRICES: £28,000-£38,000 {est}

CATEGORY: PREMIUM HATCHBACK

INSURANCE GROUPS: TBC

CO2 EMISSIONS: {DS 4 PHEV} 30g/km {WLTP} {est}

PERFORMANCE: {PureTech 130} 0-62mph 10.5s / Max Speed 115mph {est}

FUEL CONSUMPTION: {PureTech 130} 45mpg {WLTP} {est}

BOOT CAPACITY {litres}: 430

WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height 4440/1830/1470mm