The DS range sits above Citroën as well as Peugeot and Vauxhall/Opel in the same way that Audi sits above VW, Skoda and SEAT in the Volkswagen Group’s line-up. This means you get a car made with higher quality materials, better sound insulation, better ride quality and more gizmos as standard.
The new DS 3 Crossback is similarly priced to a well-specked Audi Q2 or a MINI Countryman, so DS must be pretty confident they’re offering a better package. Initial impressions are good, with the striking grille complemented by LED running lights and chrome strips offering enough bling without turning into blang. There are some nice optional Matrix LED headlights, which split the beam into sections that can be dipped individually around the cars ahead, whilst keeping the rest of the road fully lit. It’s ideal for driving at night and clearly lets us know DS has aspirations to be known for its cutting edge technology as much as its luxury.
The luxury is definitely reflected in the chrome door handles, which sit flush to the body like a Tesla and pop out when you walk up to the car with the key fob. DS has also introduced a new Smart Access system which allows the car to be opened via an app where you can send friends and family access codes allowing them to drive the car, should you so wish.
The Crossback is smart and distinctive inside, with a good sized central touch screen. The menu can also be accessed via the distinctive diamond-shaped touch-sensitive pads below it. There are separate controls for the sound volume and the heated windscreen just below the touch buttons. The quality of the fit and finish is exceptional, with seats in a choice of cloth, Alcantara or faux leather, depending on your selection of trim. They are both comfortable and supportive. If you want heated or massaging front seats you’ll need to opt for the higher trim levels. The positioning of the window buttons and the door unlock buttons are in the centre consol. Up front theres a wireless charging pad, two USB ports, a 12v socket and a very small central armrest storage bin.
The car supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, available across the range. The standard sound system is decent however the Focal Electra upgrade is even better. The boot is a reasonable size, but it does have quite a high lip and for some reason the designers put the opener button just above the number plate on the bumper, rather than on the boot lid itself, so it gets extra dirty and nobody can find it.
The rear passenger seating has not been very well designed, with a high window line making it difficult for smaller people to see out. There are no charging facilities in the back and no heating controls, all a bit poor considering this is supposed to be a premium line.
Out on the road the DS3 steering is nicely weighted, the handling is sharp, the ride quality very good with excellent body control and amazing levels of comfort. The relaxed feel is enhanced by some really top notch sound proofing & tyre/wind noises are almost non-existent. The 8-speed automatic gearbox is a smooth as silk with paddles located on the steering wheel as an option to shift manually.
The DS 3 Crossback is the first PSA car to be built on an all new platform that takes an electric drive train without compromising on the interior space. Electrification is a major part of DS’s future. As from 2025 all of its cars will be either hybrid or pure-electric, with its first car, the E-Tense, having a range of just over 200 miles between charges. That’s slightly less than a Tesla Model 3 but better than the current Nissan Leaf. Charging to 80% will take as little as 30 mins on the fastest system, but on a more common 50kW charger it will take an hour. Pricing starts at just over £30,000.
The DS3 is the automotive equivalent of a designer jumper without the designer price tag, available on the road from just £21,500
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