DS

DS 9

The DS 9 is the flagship model from the French car maker that is renowned for its style and panache. This four-door executive saloon oozes quality and charm, drives beautifully and is packed with tech. Available in a range of powertrains, including plug-in hybrid options.

The good

Styling, refinement and economy

The bad

Fiercely competitive sector

Tech Specs

Price from

£40,605

Combined Fuel up to

176-256mpg (EV range of 34 miles)

0-62 from

5.6 seconds

max speed up to

155mph (limited)

co2 from

26g/km

Test Drive

DS 9 E-TENSE 250 & 360 – First Drive (2022)

Manufacturers across the board have been troubled by production issues for the last couple of years with the Covid pandemic, transport restrictions and the semi-conductor shortage all taking their toll.

As a result we expected to see the first DS 9 flagship model from the French car maker much sooner than its arrival just before Christmas. It came in the format of the DS 9 E-TENSE 225, but now just a couple of months later that model is being replaced by a 250 version. And for anyone looking for extra power and 4×4 ability there is a mighty 360hp model too.

The DS 9 E-TENSE 250 features a larger battery than the outgoing 225 model and that means extra range. Powered by a 15.6kWh battery combined with a four-cylinder, 200hp PureTech petrol engine, linked to an 80kW (110hp) electric motor, this executive saloon can reach 62mph from a standing start in 8.1 seconds with a top speed that is electronically-limited to 149mph, and it can be driven at speeds up to 84mph in EV-only mode.

The official efficiency figures are a combined 257mpg with carbon emissions of 26g/km. Obviously the car would need to be running in EV-only mode for plenty of miles to see anywhere close to this figure, but the low CO2 figure will see attractive financial savings, especially for the business driver with low Benefit-in-Kind tax ratings.

Both the DS 9 E-TENSE 250 and 360 are available in richly-equipped trim levels called Performance Line+ and Rivoli+ with prices starting from £47,100 and rising to £50,200 (£54,100 and £57,200 on the 360 model).

There’s no denying the fact that the DS 9 is an imposing looking car that stretches almost five metres in length. It is a four-door executive saloon that has been designed to take on the German marques and, although the performance and dynamics are not as impressive, it is a car that delivers exceptional levels of comfort and refinement.

Design cues include a streamlined body with sleek lines and curves, a 3D-effect grille, dark tinted rear windows, gloss black door mirrors, flush fitting door handles, chrome DS wings, E-TENSE badging on the bonnet and an E-TENSE monogram on the tailgate.

Sweeping light clusters include DS Active LED Vision headlights that follow the direction the steering wheel is turned for excellent night-time visibility, and the 19-inch Versailles alloy wheels complete the high-end appearance.

Move inside and that’s where the real wow factor kicks in with an elegant, sophisticated design featuring the finest leather upholstery, beautifully crafted decorative trim, padded soft-touch surfaces and piano black coverings.

The leather seats are power-operated and can be heated or ventilated with a massage function for added comfort. And there is wealth of on-board tech to explore too.

Creature comforts include a 12-inch high-definition touchscreen which is the main focal point, a 14-speaker Focal audio system, TomTom sat nav, Mirror Screen for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connection, a DAB radio, wireless charging and the traditional BRM R180 clock that folds out from the top of the dashboard.

We tested the 250 model in range-topping Rivoli+ trim and it put in a very decent performance throughout a testing road route that including many steep hill climbs with twisting, switchback roads.

With a focus more on refinement than out-and-out power, you’ll never find yourself pinned to the back of the seat, but the acceleration through the eight-speed automatic gearbox is smooth and responsive, with steering wheel-mounted paddles for added driver fun.

It’s more polished than some rivals, but not quite so exhilarating. However, it is happy putting in a shift and there are drive modes called Electric, Comfort, Hybrid and Sport that alter the driving responses and handling of the car.

In addition, a B mode on the gear lever can be selected to increase the levels of regenerative braking and an E-Save setting can store the EV range for Congestion Charge zones. The battery can also be charged via the petrol engine, but this is not the most cost effective way to do things.

The on-board 7.4kW charger enables zero to 100 per cent charging in two hours and 23 minutes and the car has an EV-only driving range of 43 miles on the WLTP urban cycle or 38 miles on a combined run.

The DS 9 is deceptively agile for its size and the clever DS Active Scan system will scan the road ahead and automatically adjust the dampers to smooth out any bumps and dips along the way.

I did find the steering was a tad vague and lacked a little feel, but generally the car coped very well with every challenge put in its path.

The road holding was confident and assured, body sway was virtually non-existent and comfort levels are sublime for all occupants. There is bags of room in the back, although taller passengers may find their hair brushing the headlining due to the sloping roof design of the car.

The boot can swallow 510 litres of luggage. Extra space is available thanks to split-folding rear seats, unless you opt for the Lounge Pack that introduces heated, ventilated and massaging rear seats in which case there is a ski hatch for transporting longer items.

We also had a run in the more powerful 360hp DS 9 E-TENSE, also in top spec Rivoli+ trim level. This car introduces an extra electric motor to bring 4×4 ability to the mix and it’s sharper out the blocks too with a 0-62mph sprint time of just 5,6 seconds and top speed limited to 155mph.

It is far more dynamic in its performance and handling, but customers need to look at the extra cost and decide what their priorities are.

But whatever the choice, all DS 9 models are packed with safety features such as lane keep assist, blind spot detection, hill start assist, cruise control with speed limiter, an extended emergency braking system, front and rear parking sensors, traffic sign recognition, a full suite of airbags and a DS Connect box emergency and assistance system.

The clever DS Night Vision system features an infrared camera that is hidden in the front grille to scan the road in real time. It can detect vehicles, pedestrians and animals up to 100 metres away so the driver has ample warning of the hazard.

All in all, the latest versions of the long-awaited DS 9 E-TENSE both impress in their own individual way. They may not quite be a match for the top German rivals, but will always have that unique feel factor which can be invaluable to some buyers.

Test Drive

DS 9 Rivoli+ E-Tense 225 (2022)

A striking new flagship model has been launched into the DS range bringing Parisian flair and chic to a segment that is generally dominated by the German manufacturers.

The DS 9 is a stylish four-door saloon with plenty of panache inside and out. And with plug-in hybrid technology, which the French car maker calls E-Tense, it brings extra appeal to the mix.

There are two power output choices available at launch – a 225hp petrol unit or a 225hp petrol-hybrid option with more to follow shortly. Customers can also select between trim levels called Performance Line+ or Rivoli+, both of which are generously equipped.

We opted for the DS 9 with plug-in hybrid technology and that meant the combination of a four-cylinder, 1.6-litre petrol engine working in tandem with a 110hp electric motor to deliver a combined 225hp and 360Nm of torque.

Costing £49,200 (£53,015 with options) this model in high-end Rivoli+ trim could reach 62mph from a standing start in 8.3 seconds, topped out at 149mph and delivered combined fuel economy of 176mpg with carbon emissions of 34g/km.

Obviously, the official fuel figure would only be achievable if the vehicle was driven for extended periods of time in EV-only mode, which is limited to approximately 34 miles between charges, depending on the driving style. But the car’s low CO2 figure would make very good sense to the business driver who would reap financial gains through taxes.

And there’s no denying the DS 9 is a head-turner when viewed from any angle. It oozes style but not in a garish way with sleek streamlining, chrome DS wings, flush fitting door handles, a 3D-effect grille, dark tinted rear windows, gloss black door mirrors, E-TENSE badging on the bonnet and an E-TENSE monogram on the tailgate, DS Active LED Vision headlights that follow the direction the steering wheel is turned, plus 19-inch Versailles alloy wheels.

Move inside and the interior is pure quality and elegance throughout with fine leather seats that are power-operated, can be heated and offer a massage function for added comfort.

There is a real sense of premium styling with a strong emphasis on luxury, and creature comforts are plentiful too with the likes of a 12-inch high definition touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 14-speaker sound system (£990 option), Mirror Screen for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging, DAB radio, voice recognition and plenty more besides.

When it comes to performance, the DS 9 is beautifully polished with the petrol-hybrid technology working seamlessly together in the background to deliver the best driving experience.

The acceleration out the blocks is decent enough and this car cruises effortlessly at 70mph eating up the motorway miles. It does feel quite large in busier town centres, but the DS Park Pilot, costing an extra £700, introduces autonomous parking which is really useful.

Drive modes called Electric, Comfort, Hybrid and Sport alter the reactions of the car and the eight-speed automatic transmission is well timed with steering wheel-mounted paddles for added driver engagement.

Refinement levels also impress with excellent insulation protecting occupants from engine, road surface and wind noise, while the efficient suspension set-up smooths out bumps and dips along the way. It does get a little more aggressive in Sport mode, but it’s nice to be able to switch across to Comfort for a more relaxed experience.

The DS 9 is a large family saloon stretching 4.9 metres in length and 1.8 metres across. So, with those dimensions, there is plenty of space for back seat passengers to stretch out and bags of storage room too.

The boot can swallow 510 litres of luggage and the rear seats can be lowered to increase the storage capacity even further. Elsewhere there is a glovebox, central cubby bin, seat back nets, front and rear cup holders and door pockets.

The car’s 11.2kWh battery is stored beneath the rear seats and can be charged from 0-100 per cent in one hour, 45 minutes from a domestic 7kW wallbox.

Although the DS 9 is yet to be tested for its Euro NCAP safety rating, it boasts a wealth of safety features and driver assistance aids. These include an extended emergency braking system, blind spot detection, lane keep assist, a full suite of airbags, hill start assist, cruise control with speed limiter, front and rear parking sensors, traffic sign recognition and a DS Connect box emergency and assistance system.

All in all, the DS 9 is a very welcome newcomer to the bustling executive saloon sector bringing with it luxurious styling and comfort, impressive handling and a competitive price-tag too.