IT HASN’T taken DS long to put its two pennyworth into the fast-growing compact SUV sector.
With the arrival of the DS 3 Crossback, the upmarket brand from the Peugeot/Citroen stable is going head-to-head with some quality German rivals.
But being a DS, it’s different and offers what company bosses call an “innovative, stylish, safe, luxurious and a cut above the average” range of models.
DS as a brand was only created in 2015 and this is its first foray into the highly competitive premium compact SUV sector. And the new DS 3 Crossback is stylish in its looks, quite funky in some ways and offers something that’s different from the rest of the pack.
DS Automobiles’ UK boss, Alain Descat, said: “I think we’ve cracked it with this Crossback and we have a model that will now attract conquest sales from rivals with buyers looking for something quite different that’s stylish looking, practical but oozing quality from top to bottom.”
It certainly looks different, with a swooping roofline, big distinctive grille, round headlights and several small distinguishing features such as the pop-out door handles.
Available to order now, there’s a choice of four trim levels – Elegance, which comes in at £21,500, then Performance Line from £22,950, Prestige from £24,955, then Ultra Prestige, which costs from £30,950. To kick things off, there’s also a special launch edition called La Premiere starting at £32,450.
Initially, there is a choice of three power outputs from the PSA group’s 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbocharged PureTech petrol engine – 99bhp, 129bhp and 153bhp – plus one diesel, a 1.5-litre BlueHDi at 99bhp.
By the end of the year, an all-electric model will arrive, possibly costing around the £40,000 mark. The smallest 99bhp engine versions have a six-speed manual gearbox while the other turbocharged petrol models have an eight-speed automatic gearbox as standard.
Models with the 129bhp engine are likely to be the best sellers and it’s easy to see why. They’re fun to drive and the engine responds well under acceleration, remaining remarkably quiet for a three-cylinder.
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The DS 3 Crossback has a firm ride with supple suspension, easily soaks up rough surfaced roads and has really grippy roadholding when pushed around twisty country roads.
There’s a choice of driving modes on all versions – eco, normal and sport. Most drivers will find normal mode the most efficient and rewarding, while the eight-speed automatic gearbox has excellent and quick gear change movement, making it a rewarding and enjoyable car to drive.
It accelerates from 0-60mph in 9.2 seconds, tops out at 124mph and officially is rated at 42.2-47.1mpg, with CO2 emissions of 109-117g/km. The auto box is Japanese and is the same as that used in Volvo’s new V60 series models and it is highly impressive.
Inside the DS 3 Crossback, the quality and finish is of a high standard and comes with nice, soft-feeling materials like leather and Alcantara, while the top versions have a watch strap design for their Nappa leather finishing – again, another natty touch that makes the interior different to rivals.
The dashboard and surrounds are well designed and have recurring triangle shaped buttons and controls while, in terms of interior space, there’s plenty of head and legroom in the front while rear seat legroom is a bit more limited.
The boot space is 350 litres, which is less than that of some alternatives, but what is impressive across the whole DS range is the high level of standard kit.
Even the entry-level Elegance, sitting on 17in wheels, has rear parking sensors, air conditioning and a seven-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth and DAB radio.
Naturally, further up the range, the standard list becomes even more impressive and provides exceptionally good value for the money and although this new car has yet to receive a Euro NCAP safety rating, it’s clear it will have no problems in that department.
Likewise, insurance ratings have yet to be confirmed but bosses expect that to be more than competitive with rivals.
Overall, the new DS 3 Crossback certainly offers something a little different in the more upmarket compact SUV sector and it will help continue the company’s 20-year plan to establish the brand here and on the Continent.
