DS No 4 E-Tense Review & Prices

The DS range has had a rebrand, and so what was once called simply the DS 4 is now the DS No.4 - think Chanel No.5 and you’ll have an idea of what the company is going for. It’s also now available for the first time as a full electric car, named the DS No.4 E-Tense.

Though it has a posh interior and stylish, classy looks, its range, practicality and driving experience can’t compete with the best EVs - and it costs more than them, too.

The DS No.4 is a croissant in a world of toast - posh, and with an undeniable amount of French flair. But it’s more like the croissant at a slightly-too-fancy hotel’s breakfast buffet. It’s presented beautifully, but it’s a bit stale, and you get the sense that the next hotel over is baking their croissants fresh.

Alternatives to the DS No.4 include its mechanically-identical stablemates from its sister companies - the Vauxhall Astra Electric, Peugeot E-308 and Citroen e-C4. It’s also up against the likes of the Volkswagen ID3 and Kia EV4, as well as regular petrol and diesel hatches such as the Volkswagen Golf or Audi A3.

There’s no faulting the presentation, though, as the DS No.4 is a really handsome hatchback. It’s a little jacked-up, but not quite to the level of a small SUV, and this gives it a strong stance on the road. Narrow headlights are joined by sharp-edged daytime running lights and an illuminated DS badge, while 19-inch alloy wheels and plenty of chrome detailing complete the boutique look.

The only thing that really lets the side down is the text on the rear, reading ‘DS AUTOMOBILES No.4 E-TENSE’ - there’s too much of it, and it’s a bit naff.

DS No.4 E-Tense: electric range, battery and charging data

Range: 280 miles
Efficiency: 4.8 miles per kWh
Battery size: 58.3 kWh
Max charge speed: 120kW
Charge time AC: 8hrs (0-100%)
Charge time DC: 31 mins (10-80%)
Charge port location: Right rear
Power output: 213bhp

It’s the same story inside, really - lots of good, but a few areas that spoil things. The design is very stylish while still being quite usable - there’s a row of handsome physical shortcut keys underneath the bright, crisp and clear 10.0-inch infotainment display, and a big swathe of posh Alcantara fabric running across the whole dash.

The infotainment screen isn’t bad - the software largely makes sense, but the screen itself can be sluggish to respond, and despite the shortcut keys you still need to use the screen for everything from controlling the temperature to turning on the heated seats. The 10.3-inch digital dial cluster is similarly crisp but doesn’t make the best use of its space.

Most of the switchgear feels pretty good, and it manages to have its own character with things like the door-mounted air vents or diamond-shaped window controls.

It’s a shame that DS couldn’t spring to make the entire cabin feel that posh, though. Hard, brittle plastics lower down are forgivable, as is some parts-sharing from other Stellantis cars - but a premium vehicle like this shouldn’t have a cheap, scratchy headliner or flimsy sunvisors. And there are some strange choices, like the small shelf in front of the gear selector - in the old DS4, this was a supplementary touchpad, but now it’s just a completely useless storage area.

Storage up front isn’t too bad otherwise, with a wireless charging pad and cupholders hidden away, and an under-armrest storage compartment. It’s much tighter in the rear, though. A six-foot adult will feel very cramped behind a driver of a similar size, and there’s not much width to squeeze three people across the bench, either. It’s also pretty dark, with the optional sunroof only available on the top-spec model - and even then, it doesn't reach as far back as the rear seats. A Leapmotor B05 has a full-length, panoramic one as standard.

The boot is big, though - it’s 390 litres in capacity, which is a couple of litres bigger than the Volkswagen ID3’s. A Kia EV4 has 435 litres, however.

With 213hp, the DS No.4 E-Tense isn’t hugely powerful for an electric car, but it’s in line with basic versions of the Volkswagen ID3 and Kia EV4. Power is delivered smoothly and in a linear fashion, so it’s easy to drive without jerking around all over the place - and you’re less likely to spin the front wheels off the line, too.

Driving in town is a mixed bag. The No.4’s suspension does a decent job at ironing out bumps and potholes, but it’s nothing like the ‘magic carpet’ ride you’d hope from something branded as ‘DS’. Visibility isn’t fantastic either, especially out of the rear where there are thick pillars and a narrow rear window.

It’s easy to adjust the regenerative braking with paddles behind the steering wheel, plus there’s a proper one-pedal drive mode activated with a button by the gear selector.

On the motorway, it’s extremely relaxing. The ride smoothes out and you notice just how quiet it is, with no wind or road noise to speak of. However, things are less impressive on a twisting country road, because the No.4 feels very heavy when you’re changing direction and the steering doesn’t give you any real feedback about what the front wheels are doing. A Volkswagen ID3 is better to drive overall.

The DS No.4’s range is the final disappointment. There’s just one battery available, a modest 58.3kWh unit, which endows the car with up to 280 miles of range in official testing. However, we saw a disappointing 3.6 miles per kWh on the trip computer, and a real-world range of just over 200 miles. A big-battery Kia EV4 or Volkswagen ID3 will both do well over 300 miles, and cost much less too.

Verdict

If you’re in the market for a posh electric car, the DS No.4 is a handsome choice with a plush interior and impressive refinement, especially on the motorway. It’s a shame, though, that it doesn’t have enough range to be a true long-distance cruiser, and that there are so many cracks through which less-premium underpinnings shine through.

You can check out our best DS No.4 E-Tense deals right here on Carwow, as well as finding great DS No.4 E-Tense leasing deals. Or, check out great deals on other new and used DS models. You can even use Carwow to sell your old car, and our network of trusted dealers will bid to get you the best price.

The DS No.4 is available in three trims - Pallas+, Performance Line and range-topping Etoile. The Pallas+ starts at just below £40,000, rising to just under £42,000 for the Etoile model. A big-battery Kia EV4 or VW ID3 are both less than £37,000, making the shorter-ranged DS a tough sell.

Standard equipment isn’t too generous either. You get dual-zone climate control, keyless entry, LED lights, 19-inch alloy wheels and a reversing camera (though this is quite low-res). Performance Line adds a heat pump, black alloy wheels and some styling upgrades, while range-topping Etoile has Matrix LED headlights, Alcantara upholstery and some extra safety kit. A sunroof is optional only on the top-spec trim, and you can’t get things like ventilated or massaging seats as offered in some cheaper alternatives.