DS 4 (2011 – 2018) Review

The DS 4 – formerly known as the Citroen DS4 – is a difficult car to pigeonhole. Citroen made some wild claims about it rivalling the likes of the Volkswagen Scirocco and Mini Countryman when it unveiled the car in 2011, but these cars aren’t true competitors. Instead, the DS 4 feels more like a cross between a Nissan Juke and BMW 1 Series. In its simplest form, the DS 4 is a ‘tarted-up’ Citroen C4, with improved styling, a premium cabin and a range of punchy and efficient engines. With the earliest examples approaching 10 years old, it’s also a used car bargain.

The DS 4 is a bit of an automotive oddball. Based on the Citroen C4 hatchback, it’s part-crossover, part-coupe and part-hatchback. Sounds like the ideal recipe for a small family car, but unfortunately the DS 4 never really excels in a key area. That’s not to say it’s without appeal.

Indeed, in isolation, the DS 4 is a thoroughly pleasant car, with an upmarket interior, a long list of standard equipment and smart styling, especially if you opt for a post-facelift car. These are easy to spot, not least because the car lost its Citroen badges as part of the separation of the DS Automobiles and Citroen brands in 2015.

We’d call the DS 4 a car of two halves, but it’s more appropriate to call it a car of three thirds. The bits at the front and back are very good – it’s just the bit in the middle that lets the side down. Allow us to explain.

The boot offers 385 litres of luggage space, which is more than you’ll find in the new Volkswagen Golf. So far, so good. Up front, there’s plenty of space for the driver and passenger, who will enjoy the upmarket cabin and premium dashboard.

Things start to unravel when you look at the back seats. The rear windows don’t open, which is acceptable in a coupe, but not in a five-door hatchback. The doors don’t open wide enough, but once you’re inside you’ll notice the lack of room for your knees and feet. It’s very claustrophobic, so nobody will thank you for forcing them to spend too long back there.

There are essentially three versions: the original Citroen DS4, the facelifted DS 4, and the DS 4 Crossback. Of the three, we’d avoid the Citroen, not least because it’s getting a little long in the tooth. Of the other two, we’d recommend the Crossback, as the raised suspension helps to make it more comfortable, feeling a bit like a modern compact crossover.

In truth, you can only achieve so much when you’re basing a new vehicle on an existing car. Citroen did a fantastic job of creating something upmarket from a humble C4 hatchback, but it was beginning to show its age, even when the car was facelifted in 2015.

On the plus side, the DS 4 is available with a wide choice of engines, including punchy and efficient diesels, plus rapid and economical petrol units. Throw into the mix a bewildering array of trim levels and you’re sure to be able to find the right DS 4 for you.

The slightly schizophrenic nature of the DS 4 doesn’t detract from what is a thoroughly convincing take on the premium formula rolled out by Audi and BMW. But if you’re after something practical, there are far better options out there.

While it’s certainly more agile than the C4, it lacks the comfort of a crossover and the precision of a coupe.

As part of the rebrand in 2015, DS created two versions of the DS 4: the standard car and the Crossback. Of the two, the DS 4 Crossback is the better option, with the raised suspension delivering a more comfortable ride while providing a commanding view of the road ahead.

In all cases, the car will lean when cornering, but thanks to plenty of grip it never feels like it will let go. You might be tempted to opt for the 19-inch alloy wheels, but the 18-inch wheels are the best option for a more comfortable ride.

The DS 4 has been powered by many different engines, with the Citroen version launching with three petrol engines co-developed with BMW, plus a choice of two diesel units. The DS 4 debuted in 2015 with an excellent 1.2-litre PureTech 120 petrol engine.

Without wishing to sound noncommittal, all of the engines are perfectly adequate. We’d avoid the VTi 120 petrol, if only for the five-speed gearbox, while the THP 160 is let down by a woeful automatic transmission. We’d avoid the 1.6-litre e-HDi 110 Airdream for the same reason. We’d favour the 1.6-litre BlueHDi 120 over the 2.0-litre BlueHDi 180.

Overall, the PureTech 120 petrol provides the best balance of performance and efficiency, making it our choice of engine in the DS 4. Money no object, we’d choose the THP 200 and THP 210 engines, which give the DS 4 hot hatchback levels of pace.

The Citroen DS 4 was awarded a five-star safety rating when it was crash-tested by Euro NCAP in 2011. It scored an impressive 97 percent for safety assist. This was the joint-highest rating of 2011.

The DS 4 lacks the driver assistance systems you’ll find on modern vehicles, with blind-spot monitoring only standard on higher trim levels, and optional on others. Standard features include six airbags, emergency braking, intelligent traction control, hill-start assist and two Isofix points. A rear-view camera was introduced on some models in 2015, making reversing feel less like a game of chance.

Of the engines available just prior to the end of production, the THP 165 offers the best towing capacity, with a braked rating of 1650kg. The BlueHDi 120 manual and BlueHDi 180 offer a towing capacity of 1550kg, while the capacity is 1450kg for the BlueHDi 120 automatic and PureTech 130

The 385-litre boot is a good size – that’s more than you’ll find in a new Volkswagen Golf. There’s also plenty of room in the front seats, with plenty of storage space for the driver and passenger.

So far, so good. Unfortunately, the DS 4 suffers from a series of curious design features. The rear windows cannot be opened, which is a bit odd in a five-door hatchback. The rear doors are too small, which makes it difficult to get in and out of the car. Once there, you’ll find limited space for your knees and feet. Perhaps this is why Citroen pitched the car against the Scirocco.

If you view the car as a stylish 2+2 with a good size boot, it makes sense. Just don’t expect it to be a practical family car.

Sit inside the DS 4 and you’ll be amazed that it’s based on the Citroen C4. The one-piece dashboard is covered in soft-touch plastics, while the key touchpoints feel plush and upmarket. A clever use of soft-touch materials and ambient lighting combine to create a premium feel

The feeling of quality is enhanced by elements you can’t see. Extra sound insulation under the bonnet, soundproofing under the floor and upgraded door seals are just some of the features designed to make the cabin feel like a nicer place. Even the air-conditioning is quieter on the DS 4 than it is on the Citroen C4. Small details make a big difference.

The DS 4 is fitted with a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system surrounded by classy materials. It looks a little dated, but post-facelift cars come with Apple CarPlay. Although Android Auto isn’t available, you can sync your smartphone via MirrorLink or Bluetooth.

Another reason to opt for the DS version and not the Citroen is the simplified dashboard, which boasts 12 fewer buttons. A USB port also became a standard feature, rather than something limited to higher trim levels. We’d recommend the Denon premium audio upgrade, but it robs you of some boot space.

Good examples of the Citroen DS4 start from around £4000, but these cars tend to have six-figure mileage and more than their fair share of wear and tear. At this end of the market, you might want to consider opting for a Citroen C4, which is around £500 cheaper than an equivalent Citroen DS4.

Even better, it’s worth looking at a post-facelift DS 4. Not only do these cars look better, you’ll also benefit from the improved cabin and better specification. You’ll pay at least £7000 for a 2015 DS 4, but it’s worth the additional outlay.

A 2018 Performance Line model could cost up to £13,000, but other trim levels should cost no more than £12,000. A DS 4 Crossback will cost roughly the same, but there are few used examples to choose from. These prices represent good value for money, especially when you consider that the DS 4 cost between £21,355 and £26,405 before sales stopped in 2018.

The cheapest  DS 4 Crossback will cost around £8,500, primarily because the car wasn’t introduced until 2015.

Car finance on an early Citroen DS4 starts from around £75 a month on hire purchase (PCP). This is based on a four-year contract after a deposit of £1000. PCP deals on the DS 4 start from around £115 a month. Once again, these payments are spread over four years and after a £1000 deposit.

The old 1.6-litre HDi 110 diesel engine is particularly economical, offering a claimed 70.6mpg when paired with a manual gearbox, or 68.9mpg in the automatic version. The BlueHDi 120 in the DS 4 and DS 4 Crossback could return as much as 74.3mpg.

However, it’s worth noting that the DS 4 fuel economy figures are based on the old NEDC test, rather than the more reliable WLTP cycle. The DS 4 didn’t perform well in the Honest John Real MPG test. Only the 2.0 HDi 135 put in a respectable performance, with a figure of 61.4mpg actually exceeding the claimed 57.6mpg.

The cost of insurance depends on the engine size and specification. Most versions of the Citroen DS4 slot into groups 14 to 28, but the performance DSport 1.6 THP 200 gets a group rating of 31, which means it will be tricky to insure for young drivers. The DS 4 slots into groups 18 to 31, while the DS 4 Crossback is in groups 21 to 32.

Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) varies considerably depending on the engine size and year of manufacture. You could pay as little as £30 for a diesel, while a performance petrol version could cost as much as £265. Check before you buy.

There have been a bewildering array of engines and trim levels available over the years, but you’ll enjoy the same feeling of quality from any of the DS 4 models. We’d recommend the DS version over the Citroen model, if only for the uplift in quality and smarter styling.

View the DS 4 as a practical two-seater with a generous boot and it makes a lot of sense, especially as a used car. Unfortunately, the rear seats aren’t suitable for daily use, so the DS 4 shouldn’t be viewed as a viable family car.