DS 7 Opera E-TENSE 4x4 300 SUV Review: A Blend of Style, Comfort, and French Flair

The new DS7 is glossy, shiny, and just a little quirky. Where it truly shines is on the inside; the interior is über-luxurious and a delight to live with. It boasts refined touches such as soft quilted leather, an abundance of space, Lamborghini-style switches, and a pleasing design.

At first glance, the specs might seem understated: a 1.6-litre inline 4-cylinder engine paired with an 8-speed automatic gearbox, delivering 299 bhp. It reaches 0-62 mph in 5.9 seconds. However, there’s more to this Citroën offshoot than meets the eye. It’s a hybrid capable of 50 miles or more on electric power alone, making it a strong contender among its SUV rivals. It features front-wheel drive as standard, with 296 bhp and 355 bhp variants, and the ability to switch to four-wheel drive when required. Impressively, in four-wheel drive, it handled the South Downs’ rugged tracks with ease—terrain that would challenge lesser 4x4s.

There’s also a sports mode, offering a distinctly different experience from normal or eco modes. The rear electric motor provides an extra boost, enough to bring a grin to your face.

You can charge the 14.2 kWh battery at home using a 7.2 kW charger in under four hours, or at a public 140 kW charger in just 20 minutes.

And then there’s the front design: five vertical “light veil” swooshes beneath the sharp headlamps give it a fabulous look at night. The gargantuan bonnet is impressive but doesn’t hinder visibility, which is excellent. Meanwhile, the sparkly diamond grille adorned with the DS logo evokes the liquid metal from Terminator 2: Judgment Day.

DS has also revived its historical expertise with Active Scan Suspension. Each wheel has its own camera-controlled damping system, adjusting to road conditions ahead. It works well, even on UK roads.

The interior is a masterpiece. The longer you spend inside, the more you appreciate it. Diamond-quilted leather, contrast stitching, and Lamborghini-inspired switches on the centre dash add flair, while solid knurled diamond-cut roller buttons on the steering wheel and infotainment system enhance functionality. Controls are intuitive and easy to access—no endless sub-menus here. Physical buttons abound, ensuring convenience and efficiency.

In fact, the DS7 boasts one of the finest luxury interiors at its price point. After driving it for a week, I was reluctant to let it go. The pièce de résistance? A rotating clock by French horologist B.R.M emerges from the dash when you start the car—a delightful touch of opulence. The cabin remains serene and quiet, even on bumpy motorways.

An upgraded 12.3-inch infotainment screen comes as standard. It’s sharp, responsive, and seamlessly connects to an iPhone every time—a rarity these days.

One of my favourite features is the subtle, refined sounds the car makes. From seatbelt warnings to indicators, the tones are gentle and luxurious, far from the grating alerts found in other vehicles. The massage seats further enhance the interior’s indulgence. In the back, three comfortable seats sit flush or can be reconfigured with a fold-down armrest featuring cup holders. The boot is generous, offering 555 litres of space.

Performance prioritises comfort, though sport mode stiffens the suspension, reducing roll and yaw. The front suspension is a MacPherson strut, with multi-link suspension at the rear. Despite its size, the DS7 weighs just 1,760 kg, making it surprisingly agile. Above 20 mph, it feels genuinely quick, and while not a sports car, it’s more than sporty enough for its target audience.

Acceleration is smooth yet assertive, easily allowing you to overtake or manoeuvre. In four-wheel drive, it handled off-road conditions in East Sussex with surprising competence. Visibility, even over that large bonnet, is spot-on—simply align the haunches, and you’re good to go.

The DS7 glides gracefully around corners in both sport and comfort modes, exuding a laid-back French sophistication. Imagine a Frenchman in soft leather loafers cruising along the Cannes promenade—that’s the vibe.

DS Drive Assist helps with lane-keeping but isn’t yet on par with Level 2 autonomous driving systems. It’s functional but lags behind brands offering comprehensive cruise control with acceleration, braking, and steering.

The satnav includes speed camera alerts and performs efficiently, providing accurate navigation. Switching between hybrid, petrol, and electric-only modes is seamless, as is toggling between sport, comfort, and 4WD modes.

The DS7 is available as a diesel or hybrid, with the diesel version costing £10,000 less. A head-up display is also an option and well worth considering.

The DS 7 Opera E-TENSE 4x4 300 is all about the interior, which is exquisitely refined—better than all its rivals and just a notch below ultra-luxury vehicles. Normally immune to such charms, I found myself utterly won over by the DS7. It hits a sweet spot—not overly ostentatious, yet its absence is keenly felt once it’s gone. The suspension is superb, though potholes remain a challenge. But then, what does a French company know of potholes?

DS has astutely assessed its luxury car competitors and delivered something extraordinary at a more accessible price point. French cars are making a triumphant return, with DS leading the charge. If they can spread the word effectively, I hope to see many more DS7s on the road. IX Magazine rightly awards it “Best Luxury Interior Design” at this price point.

The DS 7 Opera E-TENSE 4x4 300 has a starting price of £50,020. Our test model, equipped with additional extras, was priced at £52,845.

https://www.dsautomobiles.co.uk/models/ds7/plug-i…

Some details we thought worth including:

COMFORT & CONVENIENCE

• Rear Central Armrest
• Shift Paddles on Steering Wheel
• Motorised Tailgate with Hands-Free Access
• Electric Parking Brake
• Electrically Heated and Folding Exterior Mirrors
• Heated Windscreen
• Multi Drive Mode Selector
• Heated, Ventilated, and Massaging Front Seats
• Front Electric Seats
• Automatic Windscreen Wipers
• Electric Panoramic Sunroof
• Bi-Zone Automatic Air Conditioning
• Acoustic Laminated Side Windows
• DS Active Scan Suspension (Optional on E-TENSE 225 versions, Standard on E-TENSE 4x4 versions)
• Rear-View Camera with Front and Rear Parking Sensors
• Keyless Entry and Access
• High Beam Assist

AVAILABLE OPTIONAL EXTRAS

• Metallic Paint (£675)
• Pearl Grey OPERA Interior: Pearl Grey Nappa Watchstrap Leather with Pearl Grey Nappa Leather Decor (FREE)
• 20-inch TOKYO Diamond-Cut Alloy Wheels (£500)
• DS BLACK PACK: Black DS Wings, Black Window Surrounds, Black Roof Rails (£250)
• FOCAL Electra® HiFi System: 515-watt amplifier, 14 speakers, 8-inch subwoofer, includes laminated glazed windows (£1,000)
• Towbar (£800)
• NIGHT VISION PACK: Includes DS NIGHT VISION, 360 Vision Reversing Camera, DS DRIVE ASSIST (already standard on OPERA), DS Driver Attention Monitoring (£1,500)
• 7.4 kW On-Board Charger (£400)
• DS Black Pack (£250)
• DS Active Scan Suspension