DS 4 Crossback BlueHDi 120
- DS 4 - the avant garde adventurer, apparently...
- Rear doors aim to make a point
- A view out the back like the devil's postbox
- That famous French ride quality...
- A steering wheel like a 1970s bus
- Real world fuel economy in our DS4 BlueHDi
- Does the future look bright for DS?
- DS4 to Major Tom
- Puretech proves the better engine choice
- Do PSA's newly published MPG figures stack up?
- Does the quality of the DS 4 make the grade?
- We predictably say 'au revoir' to our DS 4
DS 4 - the avant garde adventurer, apparently...
The DS 4 Crossback is with us for six months as a sort of faux crossover. But how will it cope with everyday family life?
Date: 7 December 2016 | Current mileage: 415 | Claimed economy: 72.4mpg | Actual economy: 43.8mpg
So, the Audi Q3 I was running has gone and is being much missed in our household. I've tried to soften the blow with the promise of something exciting coming to replace it. Something a bit different. And a bit French. I'm all about the mystery, me. So by the time the day came for the big reveal, I may have built the DS 4 Crossback up quite a lot...
First question I got asked. "What is it?". Errrmmm. "Isn't it a Citroen?" Errrrrm. I got out of that by saying it used to be a Citroen but is now a brand on its own. And one that wants to be seen as quite posh. "So it's a posh Citroen then?"Errrrrrrrrrrrr. I left it at that and moved on swiftly.
So here is our DS 4 Crossback. Yes, DS used to be a Citroen but in 2014 it became a brand in its own right. And the DS 4 is technically the first 'new' model from DS. While other models got a facelift and new badges, the DS 4 Crossback with its faux crossover styling and raised suspension, just about counts as new.
It's quite a nice looking thing, certainly more interesting than the Citroen C4 on which it's based. Ours is finished in Pearl White Pearlescent paint which is a rather pricey option at £730, but does contrast well with the standard 18-inch gloss black alloy wheels and all that black body cladding.
Style over substance? We'll find out if that's the case in the coming months
We've gone for the BlueHDi 120 engine rather than a petrol this time. While we really rate the 1.2-litre PureTech engine we're hoping the extra economy of the diesel - rated at 72.4mpg according to the claimed figures - will justify the extra money. The 1.6-litre HDi diesel isn't the quietest, but should prove easy on fuel we hope.
And talking of money, it's clear the DS 4 is aiming to be upmarket, if the list prices are anything to go by. True the Crossback is at the top of the DS4 range, but our model is far from cheap at a fiver less than £25k. Ouch. You can get a Skoda Octavia Scout for that with a diesel engine and 4x4. The Crossback may look off-roady but it's strictly front-wheel drive.
The shiny brochure describes the DS 4 Crossback as the 'avant-garde adventurer'. Whatever that means. And with all it's glossy pictures of stylish people it looks more like a backdrop to a Louis Vuitton advert than a car brochure. It's easy to see where DS is aiming its products with the phrases like 'you’ll find a little more substance than other premium cars' and 'craftmanship at its very best'.
So is the DS 4 Crossback good enough to be a genuine rival to established premium brands? Or is this merely a Citroen is a posh suit? Well these questions and probably some others will be answered over the next six months as we put our new French arrival to the test.
Rear doors aim to make a point
The design of the rear doors on the DS 4 is not exactly user-friendly. As we keep finding out...
Date: 21 December 2016 | Current mileage: 602 | Claimed economy: 72.4mpg | Actual economy: 43.1mpg
Since our daughter rocked up in April 2015, testing cars has taken on a whole new element for me. The words 'space' and 'practicality' now have a whole new meaning - a toddler who appears to require as much gear as a Led Zeppelin world tour tends to alter your definition of what 'ample luggage space' really means.
I've also turned into one of those people who appreciates Isofix points that have the nice plastic guides on. Fumbing around in the dark and trapping your fingers while trying to install a car seat will do that. And make you swear. Well, say things like 'ploppers' instead of real swear words as you're holding a toddler...
Having come from an Audi Q3 (and previously a Skoda Octavia Estate) we've got used to having a decent amount of room. But it doesn't matter how much space we have, we manage to fill it with something. So we used the smaller DS 4 - and its 385-litre boot - as motivation to minimise the amount of stuff we need to carry around. Which isn't that easy when one of them is a not inconsiderable iCandy Strawberry pushchair.
Fortunately, getting our 18-month-old in and out of the car is now somewhat easier. Our little girl is confident enough on her feet that she will happily (although not always patiently) wait by the car door while I get her seat sorted. It's a lot easier being able to do this without having a wriggling child in one arm.
My daughter refusing to make eye contact because I'm taking a picture. Standard...
But the DS4 has a trick up it's sleeve to keep you on your toes. The rear doors. They may have been designed to look 'coupe-like' and 'dynamic' or some other word car designers like, with their hidden door handles, but the pointy shape they create is not very user-friendly. As I keep finding out when I smack myself pretty much every time I open the back door. A classic case of form over function.
They're actually quite dangerous. I've come close to hitting myself in the face with the door when picking up our daughter to put her in the car seat. And if you're in a tight parking spot it's even worse as the design really limits how wide you can open the door.
And it doesn't stop there. Because despite this being a five-door car, the rear windows don't actually wind down. I remember this from the launch of the Citroen DS4 where I spent a good five minutes trying to work out where the switch (or even handle) was to meant to put the windows down. Before realising there wasn't one. They're fixed in place.
It's only a small thing but it does mean that I can't put the back window down if I want so show our little girl something (a horse in a field, some sort of deer, the usual exciting things). And as the rear windows have privacy glass, it does feel quite gloomy in the back. The DS4 may be designed to be stylish, but it's not proving very child-friendly...
A view out the back like the devil's postbox
It may look all coupe-esque but that does lead to problems when it comes to rear visibility in our DS4 Crossback.
Date: 11 January 2017 | Current mileage: 992 | Claimed economy: 72.4mpg | Actual economy: 43.6mpg
Every Monday morning I drop our daughter off at nursery. She's in the Little Monkey's room and when we arrive we can see into the window of the room where all the other little terrors are waiting. Usually this 8am drop-off goes pretty well - there are rarely any tears and she's more concerned with getting Rice Crispies for breakfast rather than Cornflakes. If I'm lucky I may get a cursory wave goodbye. With a spoon.
And once I've dropped her off I then continue on to work. Only that involves reversing out of the odd car parking spaces that are opposite the nursery. Rather than go for the classic head on to the kerb spots, these are at a 45 degree angle. This also means you can only really drive into them nose first, which for someone like me who always reverse parks and is a bit OCD about the whole thing, is a nightmare.
But that's not the real problem. The real issue is reversing out. You have cars both sides and you're reversing into a main road, plus there's a pedestrian crossing nearby and lots of shops. It's like one of those hazard perception tests that's gone into meltdown. It's never an easy thing to do but it's highlighted a real weakness in the DS 4 Crossback - the rear visibility.
It's hardly great to begin with. From the rearview mirror you get a load of black and then a small slot for a rear window. Like Satan's postbox. If he has one. Or at least his front door. But trying to look out the rear quarter is pretty much pointless. You can't see a thing.
A lot of black....
This is not a trait that's unique to the DS 4 of course. Lots of modern cars have terrible rear visibility due to the thick rear pillars and tailgate design. Hence why so many cars are now coming with 360 cameras and side view monitors, like Honda's Cross Traffic Monitor. The idea being that along with a camera showing you the three-quarter view, there is also an alarm to warn you of any cars coming.
Our DS 4 doesn't come with anything like that. So instead you just have to very slowly creep out while straining your neck to see out of a combination of the small rear window the side glass. This isn't especially easy at the best of times, but even worse when I'm picking little one up and it's dark and raining.
While the DS 4 Crossback may like to promote itself as a 'crossover', the fact it doesn't have a raised ride height works against it when it comes to situations like this. The Q3 we ran previously was hardly great for a decent rear view, but the fact it sat slightly higher up helped in these situations.
Like the pointy rear doors, is this another case of form over function. Plenty of people who have seen the DS 4 Crossback have commented on how different it looks. And lots of those are positive about the design. But when it comes to day to day usability, that design does have its drawbacks...
That famous French ride quality...
The DS 4 Crossback is proving something of a mixed bag. So surely the famous French ride quality will come to the rescue?
Date: 25 January 2017 | Current mileage: 1022 | Claimed economy: 72.4mpg | Actual economy: 43.8mpg
We've now covered 1000 miles in our DS 4 Crossback and it's proving to be something of a mixed bag. There are some good points - the design is certainly a highlight - but in day to day life we're finding more things to gripe about. Some people are never satisfied it seems.
It may seem like we're being hard on the DS 4 Crossback but with a list price of £24,500 it's far from a cheap car. The same money gets you a mid-spec Hyundai Tucson or a MINI Countryman Cooper D. The point being, you're not short of choice at this money when it comes to a family car, or something that's a bit more style-led, like the MINI.
With DS promoting itself as a premium marque - and bigging up its heritage - we're forgetting the fact this used to be a Citroen and seeing it as a fresh car. Although given the amount of Citroen bits inside that's hard to do. But like Toyota and Lexus or Mercedes-Benz and Smart, Citroen and DS are now two different brands. Of course whether the buying public will see it like that is another matter.
So yes, perhaps we're expecting more from this DS 4 than we would of say, a standard Citroen C4. There is so much competition in the market that we know people are worried about making the 'wrong' choice when buying - or leasing - a new car. So we can't gloss over things we find annoying or poorly designed - because we know buyers who are paying this much expect a certain level of quality and design.
It has a nice gear lever, I'll give it that...
And there are some definite premium quality bits. The gearchange is very good - something which generally couldn't be said of French cars in the past - while the gear lever itself is a simple 'ball' design, which I always like, with a nice leather and metal finish.
The dials are a nice feature, albeit it something borrowed from the Citroen C4. You can change the colours of the background and dials themselves, although seemingly only across several different shades of blue. Still, it's a nice novelty even if it's something you only play with the first time you get in the car and then never touch again.
But what should be one of the core strengths is perhaps the biggest disappointment - the ride quality. Maybe this is because, given the tradition of French cars riding so well, my expectations were higher. Initially, the ride actually seems pretty good, albeit it not especially quiet, but on motorways and good quality dual carriageways, it goes along very nicely.
However, over rough and potted roads, the DS 4 Crossback is really not very pleasant. I don't expect it to ride like an S-Class but it's really unsettled. The aforementioned Hyundai Tucson does a much better job. The worst part is the vibration and kickback you get through the steering column if you go over a pothole, something which you rarely find on modern cars anymore.
A steering wheel like a 1970s bus
While Peugeot has gone for small steering wheels, it seems DS has decided to do the opposite...
Date: 8 February 2017 | Current mileage: 1244 | Claimed economy: 72.4mpg | Actual economy: 43.5mpg
Remember when the Peugeot 208 was launched? Well you probably don't, but the point is that when it came along in 2012 all the talk was of its small steering wheel. It looked a bit like one of those steering wheels you got on arcade game in the 90s. Yes we were big fans of Sega Rally when it was popular and didn't cost £1 a go.
If nothing else, it was a great bit of marketing by Peugeot as it got a lot of people talking about the 208. Don't get us wrong, it's a good little car, but it's not any more unusual than any of the competition. Apart from that steering wheel of course.
So in some kind of strange French 'we need to balance out the size of our steering wheels' brand awareness, our DS 4 has a huge steering wheel for a standard family hatch. Seriously, this wouldn't look out of place in a Ford Transit. An old one too. Every time I get into the DS 4 I feel like a bus driver. Only in a very pokey bus.
The first problem this presents for me at 6ft2 is finding a comfortable driving position. I seem to spend most journeys in a constant state of flux as I try to minutely adjust either the seat, the seat back or the steering wheel. Or my legs. It's one of those cars I never feel especially happy or relaxed in.
The Peugeot 208 has a small steering wheel. Unlike our DS
The fact the pedals are set so high doesn't help and means that unless I have the steering wheel right at the top of its height adjustment (which feels odd when driving) my knuckles will hit my knees when I attempt to negotiate a corner. Or a roundabout. Or basically just drive anywhere that's not in a straight line. Which is enjoyable. Maybe some driving gloves would provide the solution?
So I'm struggling to see the practical reason for having such a big steering wheel. The steering itself isn't even that good. It doesn't feel very direct while bumps and potholes are transmitted through the column right into your hands. So while you're attempting to go through a corner smoothly - if there's a poor road surface, the steering wheel twitches all over the shop.
It may work in the bigger DS 5 but it's not a winner on the DS 4. The fact it's sort of flat-bottomed - in an effort to make it feel sporty no doubt - just makes it worse. Given that the DS 3 has a normal (and actually very nice) steering wheel makes this even more strange.
So there you go. I've managed to moan about the steering wheel. Which now reading this back is like one of those first world problems. But when this is - for the driver at any rate - the most regular contact and connection with the car, these things matter. It's a case of 'could do much better' unfortunately.
Real world fuel economy in our DS4 BlueHDi
Our DS 4 Crossback claims average fuel economy of 72.4mpg but we're not seeing anywhere near that. And we're not alone it seems...
Date: 22 February 2017 | Current mileage: 1351 | Claimed economy: 72.4mpg | Actual economy: 43.2mpg
Strap yourselves in. Because this is one of those updates about fuel economy. I know it's not exciting but, for most of us, it's one of the key things when it comes to owning and buying a car. And one that can massively affect your opinion of a car. Because no matter how good something is, if it's way off the claimed fuel economy, it will always be a bugbear.
Whether we like it or not, the buying public has had to accept that the official figures published by manufacturers are not representative of the kind of fuel economy owners will actually see in real life everyday driving. That's not to say it's all down to the manufacturers. They are simply following the standardised tests known as the New European Driving Cycle. Which isn't actually new anymore. But never mind about that.
That's not much comfort to us consumers though and by far one of the most common complaints we get on the site is from owners whose cars are not reaching the official economy figures. It's why we started Real MPG - a place where we've now collated close to 120,000 submissions on all makes and models. The idea behind it was to let our readers share their figures and give our audience a far more realistic figure of what economy they should be getting.
It's a great baromter for us. We can see what kind of figures our readers are getting and compare them to our own. So since the DS 4 Crossback arrived, I've struggled to get anything more than around 44mpg. When the claimed is 72.4mpg that's massively short.
Our DS 4 Crossback using some fuel
There is a caveat here. Our DS 4 is a Blue HDi. A Puretech petrol would have made more sense given that the DS 4 does short journeys and spends most of its time around town. But we thought we'd see if the HDi would prove more economical over six months.
It's certainly been better than the Audi Q3 1.4 TFSI we ran previously although that's not especially difficult - it only hovered around the mid 30s when it came to economy. However, when the promise of more than 70mpg is dangled like a carrot in front of you, 44mpg seems hugely disappointing.
But looking at Real MPG for the DS 4 I shouldn't be surprised. Owners with the same 1.6 BlueHDi manual are averaging 47.6mpg. That's not a terrible figure, but like our car, it's still way short of the claimed. That makes me feel slightly better about our car's poor fuel consumption even if it is driven around town rather than sat on dual carriageways at 60mph.
I'd like to say I will look to improve fuel economy. But like many owners, I really don't have the time. I'm in and out of the car regularly and it's used pretty much all day for some errand or another. I don't expect it to be averaging 72mpg but I didn't think it would fall as short as it has. Sadly, like many drivers, it's just something I'll have to learn to accept.
Does the future look bright for DS?
There's a new model on the way - the DS 7 Crossback - and it looks like DS could finally have the car the brand so desperately needs.
Date: 8 March 2017 | Current mileage: 1413 | Claimed economy: 72.4mpg | Actual economy: 43.9mpg
It was the Geneva Motor Show this week. Well, it's still going on actually. After the press days it opens to the public. So if you want to see a load of cars having finger prints wipes off them, all parked in a big hall that's uncomfortably hot and where a can of Fanta inexplicably costs more than £5, it's a good day out.
Sadly motor shows have lost their excitement somewhat. When I was younger (it was the 90s) me and my dad would often go to the British Motor Show at the NEC. I lived in the south so it was an exciting day out to visit somewhere as far flung as Birmingham. And I'd get to see new cars I'd never seen before. And touch them. And sit in them. And go home with loads of freebies in a branded bag. Happy times.
Of course the British Motor Show is no more. But the likes of Geneva, Paris and Frankfurt remain very big events for the manufacturers. That said, there's very little there that's not already been revealed weeks or months ahead of time. We're sent pictures and details of 95 percent of the cars that will be 'unveiled' at the show way before time. So genuine 'surprises' are few and far between.
But the DS 7 Crossback was slightly different. Yes we knew that DS had a new car coming, but we didn't expect it to be this good looking. Or this close to production. But this new SUV will be the first proper car to come from the DS brand - i.e not a car that was once a Citroen DS. And the thing is - it looks good. Really good.
The interior of the DS 7 Crossback looks very promising
Not just outside, we know styling always divides opinion, but inside. The interior has a completely new design that looks genuinely distinctive. But most crucially of all - it now feels like a quality car. We were able to have a sit inside one at the show and it has a premium feel that is misssing from the current crop of DS cars.
We hope that the quality here continues through to the final production cars, but the early signs are very encouraging. And this is no concept car - this a production ready model that is due to go on sale in the UK in late 2017. There's no word on price yet but rumours are that it will start at £30,000. Considering our DS 4 Crossback is £25k, that looks comparatively good value.
It may just be another SUV, but it's one of the cars I'm really looking forward to driving this year. Fingers crossed, it's better than the DS 4, especially ride comfort and general refinement. If DS is serious about being seen as a 'premium' brand and competing with cars like the Audi Q3 and even the Range Rover Evoque - it needs to get the quality right.
What it does show is a bright future for DS. There will be more new models announced in the next 12 months with another crossover based on the new Peugeot 3008 and an even smaller one based on the 2008. No surprises there. But it bodes well for a brand that has a real opportunity to make a name for itself.
DS4 to Major Tom
Our DS4 likes to contact people. When you're not quite expecting it. Which can lead to some unintentional phone conversations...
Date: 22 March 2017 | Current mileage: 1502 | Claimed economy: 72.4mpg | Actual economy: 43.6mpg
When it comes to on board technology, our DS4 isn't shy of stuff. As is de rigueur these days, it comes with a touchscreen entertainment system - or infotainment - which is a cringeworthy word we're forced to use. Because they do more than just turn the volume on the radio up and down. Apparently.
Manufacturers like to talk about 'connectivity' and indeed our DS4 Crossback comes with both MirrorLink and Apple CarPlay, so you can control your phone (whether Android or an iPhone) through the screen. Some manufacturers have been a little slow on the take up of this, so it's impressive that even though our DS4 has been on sale for a few years already, it's still up to date.
I'll happily stick with Bluetooth as the only time I need my phone in the car is for phone calls (a rarity these days) or to Bluetooth music. If someone messages me it was to wait. The fact you have to plug in your phone with a cable for CarPlay seems a bit of a backward step to me.
It's fair to say the touchscreen system in the DS4 is far from the best. The resolution itself is pretty good but it's not very precise to use and often requires a repeated prod to get it to do what you want. The menu layout and graphics design is nothing to write home about either. A mix of depressing black and red which is not easy to see in bright sun.
The display is hardly mesmerising, but our DS4 does at least have MirrorLink and Apple CarPlay
But that's not too much of a problem. Not compared to the fact the DS4 likes to call people from my phone. When I'm not expecting it. You see, there's a voice control system on the DS4 - not uncommon these days. It means you can ask it to call someone when you're driving.
That sounds great until you inadvertently switch it on. And it then calls someone. It seems the cause is the oversensitive button on the end of the wiper stalk which activates the system. An accidental brush with my hand and before I know it there's a very loud ringing tone in the car. And a mild panic from me.
As I listen to a lot of Radio 4 in the car - and often audiobooks - so as an extra level of excitement the car will try and phone Tom Archer or someone similar.
We've had some close calls (pun intended). I don't think the dentist was expecting me to call, nor a man who used to clean the windows in my house 13 years ago. Still, phoning my old work was a fun experience. Quick, where's the disconnect button...
Puretech proves the better engine choice
We went for an HDi diesel in our DS4 Crossback but after driving the Puretech petrol version we think we may have made the wrong choice...
Date: 5 April 2017 | Current mileage: 1632 | Claimed economy: 72.4mpg | Actual economy: 44.1mpg
When it came to choosing our DS4 Crossback, we went for an HDi. Which given the current backlash against diesels no longer seems the best idea. But when we ordered it, the lure of the claimed 70mpg plus economy swayed us.
Of course we knew we wouldn't be actually getting 70+ mpg but we guessed at around 40mpg in real life driving, which has proven to be the case. At the moment we're averaging close to 44mpg which isn't at all bad considering the DS4 Crossback spends a lot of its time in town - which is not the best environment for a diesel.
And the French have always been great when it comes to diesels. True, they may not always have been the most refined but French diesels are renowned for being economical and reliable. Pre common-rail engines at any rate.
Last week I got the chance to drive the DS4 with the newer Puretech engine. It may only be a three-cylinder 1.2-litre unit - which is enough to put many people off - but it's an excellent engine. So good in fact that we'd go as far as to say it's one of the best small turbocharged petrol engines around.
The HDi in our DS4 promises better economy but is far from refined
And I'm now beginning to regret our choice of an HDi. The Puretech may not be as economical - it claims 56.5mpg - but it's a far nicer engine all round. Much quieter, far smoother and better at low speeds. If anything it transforms the DS4 Crossback into a much nicer car.
It's also cheaper - around £1700 less than the HDi - so while you're losing out on economy, you've already saved up front. If you've got a model registered before April 2017 the tax is only £10 a year more for the petrol.
While the future of diesel looks uncertain - with talk of extra tax on diesel cars and a scrappage scheme to get older diesels off the road - the good news is that there are plenty of small capacity turbocharged petrols on the market. And for many drivers, they could actually prove cheaper to run. Especially as you don't have any expensive problems with DPFs to deal with.
While there will always be a place for diesel engines, we could see a big switch back to petrol for smaller cars and family hatchbacks - like the DS4 Crossback. The good news for DS, Citroen and Peugeot is that the Puretech is a real gem and an engine that will surprise a lot of people. In those usually convinced by a diesel.
Do PSA's newly published MPG figures stack up?
PSA has taken the bold step of publishing its own real-world MPG figures for 58 cars - including the DS 4. So how realistic are they?
Date: 19 April 2017 | Current mileage: 1811 | Claimed economy: 72.4mpg | Actual economy: 44.6mpg
Last year PSA - that's the group that owns Peugeot, Citroen and DS (plus now Vauxhall and Opel) - took the bold decision to publish its own 'real-world' economy figures. This covered 58 cars - pretty much the whole model range for those three brands.
It's an unusual step to say the least. No other manufacturer has done anything similar. It started in late 2015. According to PSA 'collapsing consumer confidence in car testing' prompted it to take the unique approach of publishing real-world fuel consumption data for its cars, so that it could be transparent with customers.
The tests were carried out on 57.2 miles of public roads open to traffic and under real-life driving conditions, notably with passenger and luggage loads, road gradients and the use of air-con. PSA says the measurements are comparable to those made by its customers which have been obtained from independent customer surveys.
Now, finally, PSA has published the figures for a wide range of cars from Citroen, DS and Peugeot. They're available to the public - as promised. So if you want to look up a DS model, they're here. Similarly there are also economy figures for Peugeot and Citroen cars.
PSA's own figures for the DS4 are very close to Real MPG
So what about the DS4? Well, PSA hasn't tested the Crossback version specifically yet, but the same 1.6 HDi 120 engine that's fitted to our car has been. In the standard DS4, PSA's figures state 50.4mpg - that's on 18-inch wheels, the same size as fitted to our Crossback.
And that's actually incredibly close to the Real MPG figure for the same engine - it's currently 50.8mpg. In the Crossback we've been seeing mid 40s but that's no surprise given that our car is spending much of its time in town.
It's refreshing to see a manufacturer coming out and publishing real world economy figures. Consumers tend to be disgruntled because their own economy figures are so far short of the official. PSA's own figures may not look that great alongside some of the competition, but buyers will be much happier knowing the figures stated are actually achievable.
Later this year, we'll see a new official MPG test come in. Called WLTP, it will hopefully give more realistic figures than the current test, which has come under ever increasing criticism for giving consumers unrealistic and unachievable figures. You can find out more about it here.
Does the quality of the DS 4 make the grade?
DS may like to promote itself as a premium brand but the quality and feel of the DS 4 interior doesn't reflect that sadly.
Date: 3 May 2017 | Current mileage: 2131 | Claimed economy: 72.4mpg | Actual economy: 45.0mpg
Since DS has been spun off from Citroen as a brand in its own right, the French marque has attempted to position itself as 'premium'. That's reflected in all its marketing and promotional stuff. This is a world away from the traditional Citroen image of value for money cars.
Of course, it's very easy to say you're a premium brand. Yet another thing to actually convince buyers that's the case. There's the whole question of brand image - it's very difficult to get consumers to change their perception of a brand.
But what manufacturers can do is work on the quality - both real and perceived. And the benchmark is high. You only have to sit behind the wheel of a new Audi or Mercedes-Benz for example, to see what a premium car should feel like.
So how does our DS 4 stack up? You may say comparing it to those brands is unfair - after all - the DS 4 has been around since 2011 now - although it was updated and facelifted when the DS brand went off on its own. But at £25k it's far from cheap - and for the same money you can get a decent Audi Q2.
Sadly the DS4 doesn't get anywhere near the standard of a Q2. Don't get me wrong - it feels well put together - but the plastics on the dash are a bit rubbery and the dials a little filmsy. The uninspiring infotainment system design does little to lift things either. Here, DS could learn a lot from the likes of SEAT and Skoda.
There are other oddities too. Like the heated seat controls being awkward to use thumb dials on the side of the seat. It's hardly ideal when you're driving if you have to fumble around or look down by your leg to see where the control is.
Unfortunately it's not especially cohesive as a design and feels a bit clunky. And as much as I want to like the DS 4, the interior is quite disappointing. Especially when viewed alongside the DS 3. It may be a smaller and cheaper car - plus an older design - but it has a far more chic and stylish interior. If only the DS 4 were more similar to the DS 3, it would be a far better car.
With a whole new raft of DS models due in the next few years, I expect the next generation to be far better inside in terms of design, quality and user-friendliness. Given how good the latest PSA models - such as the Peugeot 3008 - have been, the DS brand has a strong basis to work from.
We predictably say 'au revoir' to our DS 4
We were excited when our DS 4 Crossback arrived six months ago but sadly it's not quite met expectations. Here's the good and bad.
Date: 17 May 2017 | Current mileage: 2265 | Claimed economy: 72.4mpg | Actual economy: 45.2mpg
Aside from a brief dalliance with a Renault Megane some years ago, I've not run (or owned) a French car. That was until the DS 4 arrived six months ago. I always like cars that are a little bit different, after all, who wants to follow the crowd? Unless that crowd are all choosing cars that are actually quite good. Then you'll be wanting to follow them.
The DS 4 Crossback is not your run of the mill hatchback (or small crossover as some would label it). It's all about style. The 'avant garde adventurer' as DS grandiosely calls it with its coupe-look and hidden rear door handles. It may not be the newest of designs but I still think it looks good, even in white paintwork.
The thing is, the DS 4 can't hide the fact it's based on the Citroen C4, which isn't a great start. The C4 is decent enough, much more so since it was facelifted in 2015, but it still lags behind much of the competition. In other words, it's not the first car you'd choose to turn into a more premium hatchback.
The issue is that there are too many flaws. And you have to make too many compromises. The driving position is pretty terrible, the quality of the interior is below what you'd expect at this money, and it falls down on practicality too. The boot opening is an awkward shape with a high lip plus the rear seats cramped.
We had high expectations for our DS 4. But it hasn't quite delivered...
I wanted to like the DS 4 Crossback, I really did. It's a real underdog, a bit like watching Cool Runnings, but without the heartwarming ending. And John Candy. Sadly though, however I dress it up, the fact is, the DS 4 falls short in too many areas.
So after six months I'm not that sad to see it go. If anything it's a relief. I've spent the last six months defending it, while people I know point out all the things that are wrong with it. And I can't even say it's cheap when our car costs more than £25,000.
However, the future of DS does look brighter. I hope the DS 4 will be a stepping stone to better cars for the brand. Given Peugeot and Citroen are producing some excellent stuff of late - the 3008 and C3 to name but two - there's a very good foundation for DS to build on. Starting with the DS 7 Crossback due next year.
It's a car I'm really looking forward to driving, mainly to see how much DS has progressed. I'm confident it will be a big step forward. It certainly needs to be. So where does that leave our DS 4 Crossback? Well it's a hard car to recommend to people, unless you can get a spectacularly good deal on a used one. For the money there are plenty of better choices out there.
