The DS 4 vintage 2021 wishes to embody French excellence in a market where the Germans are excellent. To do this, the premium compact sedan capitalizes on comfort and technology. But will this be enough?
A worthy heir to the allure introduced by the DS Aero Sport Lounge concept, the new DS 4 turns heads. From its refined “sport chic” front to its subtly elusive roof ending in an aggressive rear part, through its immense 720 mm wheels, the compact plays the “muscles” card. But elegantly, please.
An elegance that can be found in the interior, DS having had the good idea to call on French know-how in terms of materials and assemblies, in order to offer a truly luxurious experience. Special mention to the different atmospheres on board, juggling between the colors of the upholstery and the wood or forged carbon inserts – among others -, including the finishes are exemplary. Here, no raw plastics or elements that stain. First observation: the work of DS is up to its ambitions, and the premium feeling is very present on board this DS4.
Technology as a spearhead
“High-Tech”. Or how to sum up the DS4 in one phrase. Particularly equipped, our DS4 shines both by its technological equipment and general ergonomics on board. In terms of displays and interactions, it takes place in 4 parts: a 10-inch main multimedia screen, a 7-inch instrument cluster, an extended head-up display (DS Extended Head Up Display), and a DS Smart Touch touchscreen at the center console level. The latter allows you to navigate on the main screen (also touchscreen, of course) as well as to define 6 shortcuts to our favorite functions and settings, such as adjusting the ventilation to 21 ° C, switching to a specific radio station, calling a contact defined as direct access beforehand, launch the GPS to a frequent destination … so many actions – and much more – that can be launched in 3 seconds if not less.
And the Smart Touch asked us a little acclimatization (it’s all sensitive!), its operation was naturally integrated during our driving sessions. Precisely, in the dynamic chapter also the DS 4 plays the technophile. In addition to level 2 semi-autonomous driving, which in particular allow active maintenance in the lane (still a little shy for our taste), as well as the adaptive cruise control until the vehicle comes to a complete stop, the DS4 is also equipped with several comfort and safety technologies. Particular attention has been paid to predictive piloted suspensions allowing the shock absorbers to be controlled according to the roughness and irregularities of the road, scanned by a dedicated camera (standard on the e-suit, optional on the PureTech, works only in comfort mode). However, it will be necessary to wait until February 2022 in order to be able to take advantage of the voice recognition functions, writing on the Smart Touch, or more importantly, the automatic lane change on the highway.
E-Tense and PureTech: 225 horsepower of comfort
During our test, we were able to take control of the two proposed engines: E-Tense 225, and PureTech 225. All in two versions DS4 and DS4 Cross – which is mainly distinguished by its roof bars and the absence of chrome – and several finishes corresponding to different interior atmospheres. Both models are based on the third version of the EMP2 platform, and are available exclusively in the EAT8 automatic transmission. From the first turns of the wheels, the DS4 Cross shines by the silence of operation coupled with a high level of comfort which further accentuates the smooth operation of its gearbox. Its very large 19 or 20 inch rims surprisingly do not detract from driving pleasure.
Plug-in hybrid requires, only the 360 Nm of torque of the DS4 E-Tense provides a slight sensation of additional thrust compared to the PureTech and its 300 Nm. Moreover, the two engines really differ only in operation. Despite everything, we detect a bit more “dynamic” in the behavior of the gasoline model (230 kg of difference, that feels) highlighted by the precision of the direction and its way of registering in curve while flexibility. But where the DS4 puts everyone in agreement is in its perfectly executed interpretation of the heritage of its predecessor Citroën DS, which provides that timeless feeling of a flying carpet, at 50 km / h in the city as at 130 km / h on the highway. Combined with the modern experience of a large, very complete head-up display, and the care given to the comfort of the seats and interaction surfaces – a special mention with the concealed ventilation -, this luxurious and statutory identity perfectly illustrates the ambitions of the brand: aboard the DS4, we breathe French excellence.
Our opinion
With its futuristic design and the high-end experience it offers on board, the French compact is a serious competitor to the German in its segment. It aligns itself with its rivals on the price side with an entry ticket of € 29,200.
WE love :
- The very successful and unique look
- Comfort on board (even in 20 inches!)
- Technological services
We like less:
- The not very sensational performances
- Roominess a bit tight in the rear seats
To read on auto-moto.com:
DS4: all photos and official info
From 2024, DS will only offer electrified novelties
A 7-seater SUV coming to DS
