2022 DS 7 E-TENSE 4×4 300

Vehicle Overview

DS Automobiles introduced the DS 7 Crossback in 2017 and refreshed it five years later; in 2022, it refreshed and ditched the “Crossback” moniker while it improved the rest of the vehicle.

After Citroen introduced the DS Automobiles as an upscale brand in 2016, the new car manufacturer started to work on its existing products, such as the DS3 and the DS 5. Later, it added new models to the range, such as the DS 7 Crossback. It was a welcomed vehicle since it provided luxurious features for a lower price than its competitors. But that advantage couldn’t last forever. As a result, in 2022, the young automaker introduced the facelifted version of the DS 7. While it retained the overall shape, it ditched the Crossback nameplate and moved on to the compact premium crossover segment with the 2022 DS 7, a vehicle that tried to compete against the likes of the BMW X3 and the Audi Q5.

Its front fascia sported the same design language introduced by the DS 9 in 2020, featuring a large hexagonal-shaped grille that resembled a diamond. Depending on the trims and options, it featured a tri-dimensional mesh adorned by chromed rhomboidal-shaped elements and two chromed wings extended over the standard DS PIXEL headlights. On the lower side, the automaker placed a horizontal slat, and underneath it, a second broad air intake flanked by a pair of scoops. A set of three vertical LED lines formed the daytime running lights that flanked the entire front fascia.

With a profile typical for a crossover, with rounded shapes and curved panels, the 2022 DS 7 surprised with its low-slung greenhouse and narrow windows for such a vehicle. In the rear area, between the rear doors and the rearmost pillars, the automaker added a third row of triangular windows, while a curved tailgate elegantly ended the vehicle. Finally, at the back, DS Automobiles installed narrow taillights extended from the quarter panels to the tailgate and sported a 3D design inside.

With a cabin fit for four passengers, the DS 7 surprised its customers with an unusual, luxurious ambiance for a French vehicle. At the front, the automaker installed bucket seats with mild bolstering and separated by a tall center console. There, the DS 7 housed the gear selector with a golf club shape, tilted forward. In addition, a set of buttons adorned by rhomboidal shapes controlled various functions of the car. On the center console, the automaker placed a 12-inch touchscreen for the infotainment system, while the TFT display of the instrument panel was in front of the driver.

Under its skin, the DS 7 installed a range of hybrid, gasoline, and turbodiesel engines. The version fitted with the plug-in hybrid drivetrain featured an all-wheel drive system where the front wheels were put in motion by the internal combustion engine while an electric motor powered those in the back.