Battery size: 58.3kWh
Miles per kWh: 4.1
E-Rating™: A
Max charge rate: 120kW
Range: 278 miles
Introduction
DS’s challenge is to get noticed. The new No8 which I tested a few weeks ago will certainly attract some attention with its radical (and divisive looks), but it is this car – the No4 – which will need to pull in the buyers as it’s aimed at the biggest-selling section of the car market. It is essentially facelifted version of the DS4, but it’s gained a ‘Number’ in front of the 4 to make it the No4, which is supposed to make it sound more like a posh luxury French brand like Chanel. More importantly for us, it’s now available with an E-Tense all-electric powertrain – something the likes of BMW, Mercedes and Audi don’t yet offer on their smallest models. As you’d expect, it’s heavily based on other Stellantis models but has bolder styling, all of the best tech and posher trim inside. Is it worth the extra over an Astra or 308?
Range, battery and charging
There is just one battery option, and it has a net capacity of 58.3kWh giving a range of 279 miles on a charge according to the official figures. A heat pump is standard to improve efficiency in cold weather.
The aerodynamics have been optimised for the electric version, with the ground clearance lowered by 10mm and extra aerodynamic elements inside the grille help to reduce drag.
Charging? Well there’s an 11kW on-board charger and it can accept DC charging power of up to 120kW. At a rapid-charging point, that means it can go from 20 to 80% charge in around 30 minutes or recover a range of 62 miles in 11 minutes. That’s reasonable – rather than remarkable – for the class.
Practicality and boot space
There are some compromises when it comes to practicality in the No4 E-Tense. Because the DS is also available with internal combustion engines, there are intrusions into the interior space for transmissions which don’t exist. In the front this means you are enclosed and there is little in the way of central storage between the seats, unlike cars like the ID.3 and EV3 which have a flat floor.
There is a shallow cubby by your elbow though, and a bigger lidded section below the central screen which has cup holders and a wireless phone charger. Just behind this is a mystery shelf which is too small for a phone. Maybe it’s for holding toll tickets or something else a bit French? If you have any idea, let me know!
Rear seat room is respectable for kids and smaller adults, or maybe tall teenagers that you don’t particularly like. Anyone bigger than six foot(ish) will find their hair brushing on the roof. There is a bump in the centre of the floor which will make it less comfortable for anyone sitting in the middle seat, too.
The boot might feel a bit cramped too. Although the 390 litres of space is bigger (just) than an ID.3 or Cupra Born, but is smaller than SUV-shaped rivals. The high boot lip and small opening mean it is not the most practical either.
Interior and technology
Let me start with the design inside. It’s lovely in here, with some really nice styling which is meant to mimic luxury watches with lots of metal with diamond shapes cut into it and soft, suede-like Alcantara fabrics on the seats. This really lifts it above the more mainstream choices and makes an ID.3 feel decidedly cheap.
In front of the driver, there’s a new 10.25-inch high-definition digital instrument cluster with upgraded fonts to improve readability and – DS says “serenity”, I guess because it’s all quite calming, without bright colours. There is also a very good Head Up Display projecting info onto the screen in front of you and a second 10-inch screen allows you to navigate the infotainment system.
On the downside, more of the buttons have been relegated to the screen, so you will need to go through a menu to adjust the fan, for example.
The optional FOCAL ELECTRA audio system has 14 speakers and 690 Watts of power, it is combined with acoustic side windows, to ensure it is quiet inside.
My favourite bit of tech is the massaging seats though – it’s normally something you’d see on more expensive cars.
Motors and performance
There is only one motor option, and it produces 213hp. That’s perfectly adequate and provides decent punch but isn’t going to get anyone excited, as even a base-model Born has more umph. Unlike the Born and ID.3, the DS puts its power through the front wheels too, which is rarely the best choice for an enthusiast.
Perhaps as the result of this, DS has wisely decided to put the emphasis on refinement and the No4 is certainly a quiet and relaxed car. It was tricky to judge the ride on the marble-smooth roads of my test drive, but it seemed to soak up the few bumps I could find well enough, helped by the restrained 19-inch wheels – larger rims are not even an option.
Three deceleration modes are available using paddles behind the steering wheel: D for low energy recovery, B for moderate energy recovery and B+ for increased energy recovery.
Pricing
There are four trim levels for the N°4 E-TENSE – Pallas, Pallas+, Étoile and Étoile Nappa.
The £36,995 Pallas costs more than all the mainstream rivals, adding about £1,500 to the cost of a Born, for example. The No4 is eligible for the UK Government £1,500 Electric Car Grant (ECG).
The Pallas has fabric and canvas seats, dual-zone climate control, heated and folding door mirrors, reversing camera, and acoustic laminated front side windows.
The N°4 Pallas+ costs £39,160 and adds a 3D connected navigation with voice recognition, wireless smartphone charging and keyless entry and start, as well as a heat pump. There is an optional Comfort pack to add dark tinted rear windows, acoustic laminated rear side windows, electrically adjustable driver’s seat and heated front seats.
The Étoile trim costs £41,860 and has Alcantara and basalt woven fabric, enhanced with new stitching. It also has the head up display, Matrix LED headlamps and scrolling indicators, powered front seats, laminated and tinted rear glass, aluminium door sill protectors and the DS Drive Assist pack.
Two optional packs are available. Absolute comfort pack adds massaging and heated seats, heated steering wheel and the special audio system. The Absolute Tech pack offers heated steering wheel, DS Drive assist 2.0 with recommended speed adaptation and semi-automated lane change, 360-degree panoramic vision, and auto-dimming exterior mirrors with DS puddle lights.
That’s right – you have to add a heated steering wheel as an option, even on the top model. That’s an oversight, I reckon.
Verdict
Is the No4 E-Tense a car which will put DS on the map? Will the buying public suddenly rush out and buy one? It’s a solid enough thing, drives well and there are no major black marks in its copy book. But, other than some nice interior trim on the top versions, there is nothing really special here. If it is cheaper on a lease than a mainstream rival then I can see it would be tempting, but I’m not sure it’s worth much more than something like a Born or a 308.
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