DS4 Cross test: our opinion at the wheel of the French premium compact
Worthy heir to the look introduced by the DS Aero Sport Lounge concept, the new DS 4 is turning heads. From its “sport chic” refined front end to its subtly receding roof ending in an aggressive rear section, via its huge 720 mm wheels, the compact plays the “muscle” card. But with elegance, please.
An elegance that can be found in the passenger compartment, DS having had the good idea to call on French know-how in terms of materials and assemblies, in order to offer a luxurious experience to say the least. Special mention to the different atmospheres on board, juggling between the shades of upholstery and the wood or forged carbon inserts -among others-, whose finishes are exemplary. Here, no raw plastics or elements that cause stains. 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 expression. Particularly equipped, our DS4 shines both by its technological endowment and by the general ergonomics on board. In terms of displays and interactions, this happens in 4 parts: a main 10-inch multimedia screen, a 7-inch instrument cluster, an extended head-up display (DS Extended Head Up Display), and a DS Smart Touch touch screen on the center console level. The latter allows you to navigate on the main screen (also touch-sensitive, of course) as well as to define 6 shortcuts to our favorite functions and settings, such as setting the ventilation to 21°C, switching to a specific radio station, calling a contact defined in direct access beforehand, launch the GPS towards a frequent destination… so many actions – and much more – that can be launched in 3 seconds if not less.
If the Smart Touch asked us for a little acclimatization (it's all noticeable!), its operation was naturally integrated during our driving sessions. Precisely, in the dynamic chapter also the DS 4 plays it technophile. In addition to level 2 semi-autonomous driving, which notably allows active lane maintenance (still a little shy for our taste), as well as 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 the predictive controlled 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-outfit, optional on the PureTech, works only in mode comfort). However, you will have 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, automatic lane change on the highway.
E-Tense and PureTech: 225 horsepower of comfort
During our test, we were able to handle the two engines offered: E-Tense 225, and PureTech 225. All in two versions DS4 and DS4 Cross – which is distinguished mainly by its roof bars and the absence of chrome – and several finishes corresponding to different interior environments. Both models are based on the third version of the EMP2 platform, and are available exclusively with an EAT8 automatic transmission. From the very first laps, the DS4 Cross shines with silent operation coupled with high-end comfort further accentuated by the smooth operation of its gearbox. Its very large 19 or 20-inch rims surprisingly do not detract from driving pleasure.
Plug-in hybrid obliges, only the 360 Nm of torque of the DS4 E-Tense provide a slight feeling of additional thrust compared to the PureTech and its 300 Nm. Moreover, the two engines only really differ in operation. Despite everything, we detect a bit more “dynamic” in the behavior of the gasoline model (230 kg difference, it feels) highlighted by the precision of the direction and its way of registering in curve while flexibility. But where the DS4 makes everyone agree, it is in its perfectly executed interpretation of the heritage of its elder Citroën DS, which provides this timeless feeling of magic carpet, at 50 km/h in town as at 130 km/h on the highway. Combined with the modern experience of a very complete large head-up display, and the care given to the comfort of the seats and the interaction surfaces -special mention to the hidden ventilations-, this luxurious and statutory identity perfectly illustrates the ambitions of the brand: aboard the DS4, you 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 Germans in its segment. It is also in line with its rivals in terms of prices with an entry ticket of €29,200.
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