Review Of Citroen DS 4 - Since DS launched itself as its own premium brand, it hasn’t been messing around, and in fact, in less than a year it has re-launched two of its three UK models, the DS 5 and this the DS 4. And as part of its relaunch, the DS 4 not only loses its Citroen badging and gets a new front-end, but it also gains an all new derivative – the DS 4 Crossback. But what’s a Crossback? Well, it’s not quite a coupe, or an SUV or a hatchback. But what we can tell you is that it offers an additional 40mm of ground clearance over the hatchback model and it gets some roof bars. So let’s take a closer look. As the DS 4 is aimed at offering a premium feel – and the fact that the Crossback is the flagship model, the interior is littered with soft touch materials, some cool carbon-effect finishes and, a favourite of mine, comfortable sports seats. This sliding sun visor is rather unique as well. When it comes to kit, the Crossback builds on the top Prestige trim, so as well as getting sat-nav, Bluetooth, air-con and a reversing camera, it also gets unique Crossback badging and aluminium door still protectors. Those who remember the Citroen DS 4, will realise that the layout of buttons is now much more simplified – and for the better. Now, on the premium feel front, the DS 4 does feel plusher than something like the Citroen C4 hatch, but does it feel as special as something like a MINI? We don’t think so.
Rear practicality is a bit more, well, complicated. Open the rear door as wide as you can and the space you have to climb in is very limited – it’s the same when it comes to getting out as well. When you are actually back here though, leg room is decent and head room isn’t too bad – but it is very gloomy and to make matters worse, you can’t even roll the windows down! If you can excuse its rather high loading lip, the boot is actually quite good, with 385 litres with the seats upright – bigger than a Ford Focus and on par with a VW Golf - and there’s 1,021 litres when you fold them down.
Before you get overexcited and think “raised round clearance, I’m going to go off-roading” – the DS 4 is not designed for that, even in this Crossback guise. What the Crossback does make for though is a comfier ride than the hatchback model, as it absorbs bumps more confidently and road and wind insulation is more impressive. There is no avoiding the fact that the ride is still quite firm and crashy though – but does that mean it has a sporty ride? Well, the DS 4 actually sticks into bends quite well, but the steering does let it down, at least when you hit higher speeds as it actually starts to lighten – not a very nice feeling.
In fact the steering is at its heaviest when pottering about town, which is a little odd. Thankfully the DS 4’s engines have a bit more about them. Go for the Crossback and your choices are slightly slimmer than in the hatchback, but there is still a 1.2-litre petrol, 1.6-litre diesel and 2.0-litre diesel to choose from – as well as a choice of manual and automatic transmissions. The pick of the Crossback bunch however is the 118bhp 1.6-litre diesel, which has plenty of power on tap, certainly enough for overtaking, and it is the most efficient, with 103g/km from the exhaust and you should comfortably get an average of around 55mpg plus.
So, DS is pitching this as a premium model, but is there a premium price tag to match, well, the Crossback starts at just under £22,000 – that is over £4,000 more than something like the Mini Countryman or Mazda CX-3. Although prices may be steep, DS expects to shift around 4,000 Crossbacks in its first year – and if you are a loyal fan of Citroen and Peugeot then it’s slightly quirkier appeal will probably take your fancy, but we think DS is going to have a hard time winning over potential Mini or Mazda fans. Thanks for visit Review Of Citroen DS 4.
