The DS4 Crossback is supposed to be part coupe, part SUV
The DS4 Crossback is supposed to be a premium offering, but the high price, lack of space and mediocre driving experience make it impossible to recommend.
Car manufacturers understand the importance of heritage. It’s why Fiat sells so many 500s, why the Volswagen Beetle still looks like, well, a Volkswagen Beetle, and why the rebirth of the Reliant Robin is not a question of if, but when.
It was for the same reason, in 2011, that Citroen launched its DS sub-brand, which was intended to recapture the spirit of the original DS from the Fifties. It worked, too, at least in the case of the Mini-rivalling DS3, which was tremendous, while few could deny that the big DS5 at the top of the tree had its own appeal.
In the middle resided the DS4, tasked with capitalising on the emerging trend for small SUVs, only with a bit of coupé flair thrown in. The result was about as confused as it sounds, which is one of the reasons Citroën has decided to rethink how to market DS.
The answer, unexpectedly, was to relaunch it as a brand in its own right, giving an impression of quality and exclusivity to everyday products. Rather than a French Lexus, though, what we so far have is more like Tesco Finest: mainstream dressed up as posh.
The DS4 Cross back rides 30mm higher than a standard DS4
As part of this, the DS4 has gained a new, £1,000 more expensive “Crossback” version, with a 30mm higher ride height and wheel-arch cladding intended to make it look like it will go off-road, even though it won’t.
Then there is the issue of space. In fairness, the DS4 has a big boot, but only because much of the rear passenger compartment has been given over to it. So cramped are the back seats that the doors have giant spikes on their trailing edge in an attempt to deter anybody from gaining entry. Oh, and the windows don’t open, either, because, er… wait, why don’t the windows open? Anybody? No?
You might, therefore, think it better to travel in the front.
But then you notice the pedals are offset, the reach adjustment in the steering wheel is insufficient and the improved infotainment system, with its 7in touchscreen, is still well behind the curve, despite the addition ofApple CarPlay. I did like the windscreen, mind, which arches over your head, and some of the leather options are quite nice.
The DS4’s interior is supposed to be a match for BMW and Audi, but lags behind in design and quality
The petrol engine is game, but the 1.6-litre diesel appears to place success in economy testing ahead of ease of driving, and thus has an electronic gearshift indicator that nags you to be in fourth at 30mph, when, in fact, the oily bits would really rather you were in third.
A fidgety ride, spongy brakes and stodgy steering complete the dynamically lacklustre picture, which would be fine if expectations had been tempered by a low price. But DS is a luxury brand, and so this car is pitched near Audi and BMW levels. It’s really not good enough for that.
In fact, forget any notion of premium and a Peugeot 308is better to drive, has more space and a higher quality interior, all for thousands of pounds less. If DS is to be taken seriously, it needs to do better than this.