Battery size: 74 - 97 kWh
Range: 337 - 460 miles
Max charge rate: 160 kW
E-Rating: A+
Introduction - DS No7
DS is a brand that’s seriously stylish but also quite rare on British roads. You don’t see them everywhere – which is exactly part of the appeal, to be fair. And if you are one of those people that likes something a bit different from the usual crowd, and you’re after a mid-sized family SUV, then the new DS No 7 could be worth a closer look!
Sitting just below the flagship DS No8 in the brand’s electric line-up, the No7 is an electric (or self-charging hybrid) SUV designed to tempt buyers away from cars like the Audi Q4 e-tron, BMW iX1, Peugeot E-3008, Genesis GV60 and Mercedes GLB.
At around 4.7 metres long, it’s right in the heart of the family SUV market, with a practical five-seat layout and a generous 560-litre boot.
Where the DS stands out is in its design and interior feel. The No7 introduces a new design language for the brand, including the illuminated DS Luminascreen grille and ultra-slim Light Blade headlamps, while aerodynamic tweaks help deliver a drag coefficient of 0.26 – impressive for a car this size. What do you think of it? I went out to the reveal event to have a good look around it, and I think it looks really lovely. Striking without being too blingy. Different from the crowd but in a good way. Just… a bit interesting and rather bougee, to be honest.
But then, design has never been the issue with DS cars. The problem is generally that they’re sometime a bit lacking on some of the objective qualities, and also that they tend not to have the brand awareness and desirability of rivals like BMW, Merc, Audi and Lexus.
We didn’t get to drive the DS No7, so we’ll have to come back to you with driving impressions, but it looks pretty tempting on paper. For a start, there’s a choice of battery sizes and power outputs, with a claimed range of up to 460 miles, which would make it one of the longest-range SUVs in its class.
Range, battery and charging
One of the big headlines for the DS No7 is its impressive battery and range options.
When the car arrives in the UK, it will be offered with two battery sizes. The entry-level model uses a 74kWh battery, delivering up to 337 miles of WLTP range, which is already competitive in this class.
But the real attention-grabber is the DS No7 E-Tense Long Range model, which gets a 97kWh battery. In front-wheel drive form, DS claims a range of up to 460 miles, while the all-wheel drive version manages 422 miles, which is more range than most of its rivals.
For comparison, the Audi Q4 e-tron tops out at around 337 miles, while the Genesis GV60 offers up to 348 miles.
Charging speeds are competitive rather than class-leading. The No7 can charge at up to 160kW on a DC rapid charger, which DS says will take the battery from 20–80% in about 27 minutes. If you want faster charging than that, check out the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6 and Genesis GV60, or of course the Tesla Model Y will also charge more quickly than the DS No7.
Like many modern EVs, the No7 also features intelligent battery preconditioning. This is a clever system that means if you set a rapid charger as your destination in the navigation system, the car will warm or cool the battery ahead of arrival to maximise charging speeds.
The DS No7 will also get vehicle-to-load (V2L) so that you can charge your electric devices from the car’s high voltage battery, and there’s a phone app that makes it easy to check on your charging status, as well as pre-heat or pre-cool the cabin.
Practicality and boot space
Boot space in the No7 stands at 560 litres, expanding to 1,570 litres with the rear seats folded down. That’s slightly more than the Audi Q4 e-tron, which offers 520 litres, although cars like the Tesla Model Y still lead the class for outright space.
Rear passengers get plenty of room too, with generous knee and legroom helping give the cabin a relaxed, lounge-like feel. The rear seats can also recline, which is a nice luxury touch that makes longer journeys more comfortable.
Inside the cabin there are useful storage spaces for day-to-day items, along with large door bins and a centre console designed to keep things tidy.
Overall, I think the DS No7 balances premium comfort with everyday practicality pretty well, and will be a good family car even while it's also something with quite a bit of wow factor.
Interior, styling and technology
Step inside the DS No7 and it’s immediately clear that the brand is leaning heavily into its French luxury identity. I really like this interior! Particularly that gorgeous, wrap-around speaker that’s made into a real style feature. It’s just gorgeous in the gold finish.
The cabin feels deliberately different from the minimalism you’ll find in many modern EVs. Instead of stark screens and simple surfaces, there’s plenty of texture and detail, including Nappa leather upholstery, real wood trim, and DS’s signature watch-strap style seat design. You can have those seats in a number of different colours, by the way, ranging from a lovely dark blue to a cream, white and more. It definitely feels quite grand, despite also feeling modern, which is a very hard balance to pull off.
The front seats are designed for comfort, offering heating, ventilation and multiple massage programmes, while integrated headrests help give them a lounge-style look.
One particularly clever feature is the DS Neckwarmer, which blows warm air around your shoulders and neck. It keeps occupants cosy without needing to heat the entire cabin, which can help improve efficiency on colder days. I’m not honestly sure how necessary I think that is, but Im definitely on board with massage seats. I love massage seats!
What I’m not quite sure about is the steering wheel. You’ll notice that it’s a bit different from most steering wheels, and I think it looks fantastic… But I’m not sure that it feels great when you’re holding it as the spokes are kind of in the way? It just doesn’t feel very natural. I’ll have to see how I get on with it when we drive the DS No7 later this year.
Rear passengers are well catered for too, with heated and reclining seats that give it a very executive feel.
Technology is centred around a large infotainment display and digital driver screen, with smartphone connectivity expected to include wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, alongside the usual suite of driver assistance systems. I have to say the OLED displays you get in the BMW iX1 and Mini Countryman, and also the infotainment system that you get in the Mercedes EQA, all feels a bit more upmarket. But this does respond quickly and looks really smart, so I don’t think it’d be a deal breaker for anyone. If you ask me, as long as I’ve got Apple CarPlay then I’m happy!
Would I say that the DS has quite the same level of precision and depth of quality that you get in the BMW iX1? Not sure about that, to be honest. But I would say that this is a much more sumptuous finish than in just about anything else at this price, and it does feel classy and solidly built, so it’s definitely worth considering if you like a really luxurious finish.
Motors and performance
The DS No7 will be offered with several powertrain options, giving buyers a choice between efficiency and performance.
The entry-level model features front-wheel drive with 230hp, while the long-range front-wheel drive version increases output slightly to 245hp.
Both models include a temporary power boost function, raising peak output to 260hp and 280hp respectively when needed.
At the top of the line-up is the all-wheel drive Long Range version, which delivers 350hp, rising to 375hp in boost mode. This version is likely to offer the quickest acceleration and the best traction in poor weather conditions.
Official acceleration figures haven’t been confirmed yet, but performance should be broadly comparable with rivals like the Audi Q4 e-tron and Genesis GV60 – if a long way off the Genesis G60 Magma that I went to see recently!
Pricing and on sale date
DS hasn’t confirmed official UK pricing yet, but I’d make an educated guess based on the rest of the range.
The smaller DS No4 sits in the £37,000–£40,000 bracket, while the larger flagship DS No8 starts just above £50,000.
That suggests the new DS No7 will likely land somewhere between £40,000 and £50,000, depending on battery size and trim level.
Buyers will be able to choose from three core trims – Aura, Pallas and Etoile. There will also be a DS No7 La Premiere launch edition when the car first goes on sale in the UK later in 2026.
Verdict
The DS No7 is shaping up to be a really interesting addition to the electric SUV market. It doesn’t follow the usual premium formula of German minimalism and understated design, but instead leans heavily into style, character and comfort. And I’m very much a style, character and comfort girl, so it’s all shaping up rather nicely for my tastes.
The biggest headline is the potentially class-leading range, particularly with the 97kWh battery offering up to 460 miles WLTP. That alone will make it attractive to buyers who want an EV that can comfortably handle longer journeys.
Then there’s the interior. It won’t be to everyone’s taste – DS has never been shy about bold textures and intricate detailing – but if you like the idea of a cabin that feels more like a boutique hotel lounge than a tech showroom, the No7 delivers.
Of course, it still faces tough competition, and the No7 may not be enough to really drag the DS brand out of the shadow of its household name peers. Even so, if DS can deliver on its range promises and maintain its focus on comfort and luxury, the No7 could be the perfect choice for buyers who want something a little bit distinctive and classy that’s also good value next to many of the alternatives.
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