DS 4 E-Tense review: French luxury crossover
A TEST REPORT from Dominic Lux 
on November 01, 2022, 16:11 p.m. | Write a comment
When you hear the name "DS 4 E-Tense", many do not know which company this vehicle belongs to. DS Automobiles is the French luxury brand from the PSA / Stellantis group. These include Fiat, Opel, Peugeot and Citroën. DS was previously an equipment line at Citroën, but they have now become an independent vehicle brand. In this test report you will find out what the DS 4 E-Tense does right as a plug-in hybrid and where it could still be improved.
We tested the DS 4 E-Tense 225 in the Rivoli equipment line for two weeks. First of all, we can admit that DS can definitely keep up with traditional German manufacturers in terms of quality. The French are pursuing this goal with the luxury brand. Will they be able to do the same for the remaining points? Let's see. In terms of interior and workmanship, there is actually nothing to complain about.
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Design - SAVOIR-FAIRE de luxe
Externally, the DS 4 makes a lot. From the curved daytime running lights to the LED Matrix Vision headlights and the rear with crystal appearances in the reversing lights and the dynamic turn signals. Everything that one associates with "luxury" is fulfilled externally by the DS 4. At least in our eyes. As a welcome, a kind of “entry carpet” is even thrown in front of the front doors and passenger doors. So purely in terms of design, DS can really do a lot. It looks very luxurious and seems more expensive than it actually is.
Image: Alexander Karwig for TechnikNews
Interior - according to HIGH COUTURE
The interior continues with high-quality leather and beautiful stitching, as well as a steering wheel that is not too small and not too large. The front seats are electrically adjustable on both sides, heated and even ventilated. All optional extras, of course, but if you like a massage while driving, we recommend adding the massage seats. Many have these Prosuch as "cat paws" or "snake movements".
You sit very comfortably in the DS 4. You can draw that as a conclusion to the interior. Everything looks clean and the quality is right.
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- Image: Alexander Karwig for TechnikNews
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- Image: Alexander Karwig for TechnikNews
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- Image: Alexander Karwig for TechnikNews
LED Matrix Vision – bright without dazzling
As an extra, DS installs the LED Matrix Vision headlights in every DS model. These work, as you would expect, very well. Once you've been on the move with the Matrix LED, you really don't want anything else. With a special detail you can see the "saber teeth" known from Peugeot, which are very stylishly curved on DS.
Image: Alexander Karwig for TechnikNews
Infotainment – smooth & fast
And here we are not exaggerating. Comparing the new PSA/Stellantis infotainment to the old is worlds apart. The system in the DS 4 E-Tense is really super smooth and it works extremely well. All functions are logical, easy to access and you can customize some things. Both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay work wirelessly or wired.
Image: Alexander Karwig for TechnikNews
Wireless charging is made possible in the front shelf. And yes, both Android Auto and CarPlay are rendered on the "entire" display. Incidentally, the climate control works via the "sword", which is located below the 10 inch (approx. 25 cm) infotainment display. Temperature etc. is controlled by touch on the touch screen. Alternatively via the voice assistant "OK Iris".
DS Smart Touch: Based on the Nintendo DS?
Joking aside. But also in the DS 4 you will find two screens arranged one below the other. Dubbed "Smart Touch", the display is relatively small and idles with a crystal-like live wallpaper. Directly above the shift-by-wire 8-speed selector. This second screen acts as a kind of input for letters. Unfortunately, this only works with drawing, which means that the correct letters are not always recognized. The lower, smaller screen can also be used for shortcuts.
Image: Alexander Karwig for TechnikNews
Personally, we would still miss a kind of "mouse pointer" for the upper screen as a function, so that you don't have to touch the higher main screen so often, but that would be a function that could be added later via OTA update.
OTA updates now also at PSA / Stellantis
If I remember correctly, the Fiat 500 Electric was one of the first vehicles from the Stellantis group to use this new infotainment or at least offer an OTA option. And it's very likely that the new infotainment that you'll soon be seeing in both newer DS models and other brands will be built on some sort of Android base, which really wouldn't be bad. For OTAs etc. or built-in media apps such as Spotify, this would even be the easiest method.
In our two-week test period, there was even an OTA update with around 499 MB on the DS 4 E-Tense.
Disclaimer: We probably still had a pre-series software. Nevertheless, actually everything went without Protrouble. Except once when the 360 degree camera went on strike. However, a restart of the system fixed everything again.
Audio by Focal Electra
The Focal Electra system is available as an option for all DS models. With the French audio manufacturer, DS has succeeded in making a big and good hit in the audio hi-fi segment. A total of 14 loudspeakers with a total output of 690 watts are installed in the DS4 and other DS models.
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- Image: Focal
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- Image: Alexander Karwig for TechnikNews
The Focal Electra system in the DS4 E-Tense is definitely worth the extra cost. It actually convinces in all areas. With bass, mids and treble, you can clearly see that the tuning was of a high quality. The protruding tweeters can also be heard.
Driving impression - modern comfort in the PHEV
As a PHEV, the DS4 currently has a WLTP range of 55 km according to the papers. Unfortunately, this is not really achievable in reality. We managed about 40 km in pure electric mode at outside temperatures of 15 to 20 degrees Celsius, but DS has already launched a small facelift from the DS4, which probably does a good 60 km according to WLTP, as consumption has been optimized.
It is doubtful whether this can then be achieved in everyday life. Unfortunately, this is a weakness of almost all plug-in hybrid vehicles. Unfortunately, the current DS4 will not receive any funding in 2023 and will no longer be entitled to carry an E-mark. It is currently not possible to say whether DS is planning a major facelift to give the E-Tense plug-in hybrid vehicles an e-mark for a longer period of time by enlarging the battery. Incidentally, charging only works with a type 2 plug and only with up to 7,4 kW. Even with up to 3,4 kW as standard.
Charging is done with the DS4 via the type 2 connector. (Image: Alexander Karwig for TechnikNews)
Despite the typical weaknesses of a PHEV, the DS4 is a lot of fun to drive every day. He lies quietly on the street. The chassis uses camera-based road recognition to detect possible bumps and then adjusts them so that you can move forward as smoothly as possible. This works really great.
Good news for those who prefer a purely electric vehicle is that the DS2024 should come in 4 as the E-Tense with a fully electric drive. A little late, but better than never. If you want to call an all-electric DS your "own", you are welcome to take a look at the DS3 E-Tense. This recently came on the market as a facelift. We will probably have it with us for a vehicle test next year.
According to the range indicator, the DS4 in hybrid mode probably manages around 450 km. If you drive without an electric drive, you won't really get any further. Since the consumption is then a good ten to eleven liters pro 100 km levels off, but a PHEV is generally only worthwhile if you can charge it every day.
Conclusion - a really special PHEV from France
The DS 4 E-Tense not only looks very special, it really is something unique. We've been teased a lotprowhat kind of car brand that would be. We were also really impressed by the overall qualities of the interior. DS wants to compete with Audi and Mercedes and other high-level premium brands, which they definitely can. If the DS4 were still fully electric, it would of course be even better.
Thanks to DS Automobiles Germany for awarding a test vehicle as part of this test report!
