DS 7 Review: The French Luxury SUV That Wants to Replace Your BMW X3

The Everyday SUV Problem Nobody Talks About

You know that moment when you walk through a parking garage and every SUV looks exactly the same? Same grilles, same colors, same safe-but-soulless interiors. They’re good, sure — efficient, practical, predictable. But they rarely make you feel anything. Driving becomes commuting. A-b-to-B. Beige.

If youve been flirting with the idea of something more premium, youve probably ended up in the usual loop: Audi, BMW, Mercedes, maybe Volvo. Great cars, but also the automotive equivalent of ordering the same latte every day. No surprise. No story.

Meanwhile, the world around you is changing. Cities are tightening emissions rules. Gas prices feel like a stock market. Plug-in hybrids and EVs are everywhere, but too many of them either scream boring appliance or tech demo instead of desirable object.

What if there was a premium SUV that actually looked like design was the starting point, not an afterthought? One that lets you do most daily trips in electric silence, but still keeps a combustion engine in the background for long weekends away — with a cabin that feels more boutique hotel than airport lounge?

Thats the space where DS Automobiles wants to live. And thats exactly where the DS 7 steps in.

DS 7: The French Answer to the Copy-Paste Premium SUV

The DS 7 (often referred to as the DS 7 Crossback in earlier form) is DS Automobiles midsize premium SUV, built under the Stellantis N.V. umbrella (ISIN: NL00150001Q9). Its positioned as a design-first alternative to the default German and Swedish choices — think BMW X3, Audi Q5, Volvo XC60 — with a strong focus on plug-in hybrid tech.

The current DS 7 line-up leans hard into electrification with its E-TENSE plug-in hybrid variants, especially the range-topping DS 7 E-TENSE 4x4 360. DS claims up to around 65 km of electric-only range on the WLTP cycle for certain versions, meaning many daily commutes can be done with zero tailpipe emissions if you plug in regularly.

But specs are only half the story. The real pitch here is this: if you want a premium SUV that feels distinctive, chic, and genuinely different to sit in and be seen in, the DS 7 is built to scratch that itch.

Why this specific model?

The DS 7 isnt trying to beat German rivals at their own game of clinical perfection. Instead, it leans into character. Heres what that means in the real world:

• Design with drama: The DS 7s exterior is full of sharp lines, jewel-like LED lighting signatures, and a bold grille. The DS PIXEL LED VISION 3.0 headlights and scrolling light animations arent just party tricks — they instantly differentiate the car at night and when you unlock it. It looks expensive, because its designed to.
• Cabin as a boutique lounge: This is where DS pulls away from the crowd. Depending on trim, you get Nappa leather with watchstrap-style upholstery, Alcantara, subtle stitching patterns, and sculpted switchgear. The dashboard layout and materials feel more fashion house than engineering lab. If you care how things feel and look, this matters every day.
• Plug-in hybrid that fits real life: The E-TENSE powertrains combine a petrol engine with one or more electric motors. In the DS 7 E-TENSE 4x4 360, youre looking at serious power (around 360 hp) with all-wheel drive, letting you do quiet EV commuting during the week and spirited driving when the road opens up. Charge overnight, drive electric to work, let the engine take over on longer weekend trips.
• Comfort-first driving: DS markets its DS ACTIVE SCAN SUSPENSION on certain trims, which uses a camera to read the road ahead and pre-adjust the suspension. In practice, reviewers often describe the ride as comfort-biased, with the DS 7 soaking up imperfections better than some sportier rivals, especially on the right wheel-and-tire combo.
• Tech that feels curated, not cluttered: You get a large central touchscreen (around 12 inches on current models), digital driver display, connected navigation, smartphone integration (Apple CarPlay/Android Auto on most markets), plus a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance features — adaptive cruise control, lane keeping, traffic sign recognition, and more, depending on spec.

Put simply: if you want your SUV to feel like a well-tailored outfit rather than corporate business attire, the DS 7 is one of the most distinctive options in the segment.

At a Glance: The Facts

Feature	User Benefit
E-TENSE plug-in hybrid powertrains (incl. up to ~360 hp 4x4)	Strong performance with the ability to drive short trips on electric power alone, lowering fuel bills and emissions.
Electric-only range of up to around 65 km (WLTP, depending on version)	Most daily commutes and school runs can be done without using the gasoline engine if you plug in regularly.
DS ACTIVE SCAN SUSPENSION (selected trims)	Camera-guided suspension preps for road imperfections, giving a smoother, more composed ride on rough surfaces.
Distinctive exterior with DS PIXEL LED VISION 3.0 headlights	Stand-out road presence and improved night visibility, plus a premium-looking light signature when locking/unlocking.
Watchstrap-style Nappa leather and high-end interior finishes	Luxury feel every time you get in; cabin looks and feels more like a designer lounge than a typical family SUV.
Large central touchscreen with connected navigation	Modern infotainment experience, easy access to maps, media, and vehicle settings in one place.
Comprehensive driver-assistance suite	Features like adaptive cruise, lane keeping, and traffic sign recognition help reduce fatigue on long journeys.

What Users Are Saying

Look at owner feedback across forums and Reddit threads, and a clear pattern emerges: people who choose the DS 7 generally do so on purpose. They werent upsold into it; they sought it out because they wanted something different.

The praise usually sounds like this:

• Design and interior shine: Owners often call out the cabin as a highlight, praising the leather quality, seat comfort, and overall sense of occasion. Many say friends assume the car is more expensive than it is.
• Comfortable, quiet ride: Most drivers describe the DS 7 as relaxed and refined rather than sporty, which is exactly what they wanted. On plug-in models, electric mode in city driving is frequently mentioned as addictive for its calm, near-silent feel.
• Real-world efficiency (if you plug in): Owners who charge regularly report very low fuel consumption on daily routes, sometimes going weeks without visiting a gas station if their commute fits within the electric range.
• Exclusivity factor: A recurring theme is that DS 7 drivers enjoy that theyre not in the same car as everyone else. The relative rarity of the badge is a plus, not a minus, for them.

The criticisms are worth listening to too:

• Infotainment quirks: Some users report that the infotainment system can feel a bit less intuitive or less fluid than the very latest German competitors. Occasional software glitches or slow responses pop up in owner discussions.
• Dealer network and resale: Depending on the country, DS has a smaller dealer footprint than mainstream premium brands. That can affect service convenience and may raise questions about long-term resale values compared with, say, a BMW X3 or Audi Q5.
• Not a sports SUV: A few reviewers note that if you want razor-sharp handling and a very dynamic drive, rivals like the BMW X3 or Porsche Macan still have the edge. The DS 7 is tuned more for comfort than canyon carving.

Overall, sentiment skews positive among the target audience: people attracted to design, comfort, and a bit of left-field charm. The downsides tend to be about ecosystem (dealers, brand awareness) more than the cars core strengths.

Alternatives vs. DS 7

The midsize premium SUV space is crowded, and your shortlist might include:

• BMW X3 (including plug-in hybrid variants in some markets): Sharper to drive, with a more established premium badge and stronger resale. But its a common sight, the interior design is more conservative, and you wont stand out in traffic.
• Audi Q5 TFSI e: Very polished plug-in hybrid system, rock-solid build, and excellent dealer coverage. On the flip side, the cabin, while high quality, feels more businesslike than artistic, and you pay partly for the badge.
• Volvo XC60 Recharge: Scandinavian minimalism, strong safety reputation, and powerful PHEV options. Its a great family choice, but if you want visual drama and more theatrical lighting and interior details, the DS 7 leans further into that.
• Lexus NX: Hybrid-focused, backed by strong reliability perception and good comfort. The DS 7 counters with a more opulent interior feel and a more expressive exterior.

If your top priority is drive dynamics and badge prestige, the German trio may still win. If you want effortless comfort and a quietly eco-conscious image, the Volvo XC60 and Lexus NX are tough competitors.

But if your priority list reads style, comfort, distinctiveness, and real-world plug-in flexibility, the DS 7 stands out. It doesnt try to be a copy of anything else; it tries to be the French alternative to everything else.

Final Verdict

The DS 7 is not the SUV for someone who wants to blend in. Its for the driver who walks past the usual premium suspects and thinks, There must be something more interesting.

On paper, the DS 7 ticks a lot of rational boxes: plug-in hybrid efficiency, family-friendly space, advanced safety tech, and the backing of automotive giant Stellantis N.V. Behind the wheel, it adds something harder to quantify: a sense of occasion every time you climb in, especially in the higher trims with full Nappa leather and the more advanced E-TENSE powertrains.

Is it perfect? No. The infotainment could be slicker, the brands dealer footprint is still growing in many markets, and if you live and die by residual values, a more established badge may feel safer.

But if you want a premium SUV that tells a different story — one of French design flair, quiet electric mornings, and a cabin that feels like it was styled, not just engineered — the DS 7 deserves a serious spot on your test-drive list.

For the right kind of driver, its not just another SUV. Its a daily reminder that you chose something because it spoke to you, not because everyone else did.

@ ad-hoc-news.de | NL00150001Q9 REVIEW