DS N°8 review: French flair or faux pas?

Join us as we take a closer look at the DS N°8, the avant-garde electric flagship swapping Scandi minimalism for Parisian glamour

The DS N°8 is the brand’s flagship EV: An SUV coupé with one of the longest ranges on the market.

If you’re getting déjà vu, you’d be right. This isn’t DS’s first attempt at a flagship. The DS 9 saloon sold just 139 units in the UK in the four years it was on sale.

So the N°8 has a lot riding on it.

Underneath, it shares Stellantis’s STLA Medium platform with the Peugeot E-3008 and Vauxhall Grandland. On top, it’s a different story entirely.

Sitting somewhere between a saloon and an SUV, the N°8 offers up to 466 miles of range (WLTP Comb). It puts comfort and refinement ahead of outright sportiness, with an Art Deco cabin instead of the screen-heavy approach so many rivals take.

DS isn’t trying to build just another car. It’s trying to build a masterpiece.

But it’s up against some heavy hitters: The Audi A6 e-tron, BMW i5, Volvo ES90 and Polestar 4.

So, does it live up to the hype? We took it for a spin down the A30 to find out.

What we drove

• Model: DS N°8 Étoile FWD 74kWh
• Body style: SUV coupé
• Power: Electric (230hp / 260hp peak)
• Battery: 74kWh
• Range: Up to 466 miles (WLTP Comb) 
• Acceleration: 0-62mph in 7.7 seconds
• Colour: Alabaster White

Specifications correct at the time of publication

Avant-garde, and proud of it

The DS N°8 is an SUV coupé that sits somewhere between a saloon and an SUV, and there’s nothing else quite like it in its class.

At 4.82 metres long and 1.9 metres wide, it’s a substantial thing. Its raised ride height turns it from a traditional saloon to an SUV.

Up front, fang-like DS Lightblade daytime running lights slice down the corners. Étoile trim adds DS LuminaScreen: An illuminated grille and lit DS badge behind a glass-effect panel.

Around the back, there are 3D LED rear lights with a scale effect, plus “DS Automobiles” lettering stretched across the tailgate.

There are five metallic colours to choose from, and our Alabaster White gave it a clean, premium finish.

A black roof comes as standard (Perla Nera bi-tone), and you can extend the duo-tone to the bonnet if you fancy something bolder.

More Parisian hotel than department store

Step inside and the DS N°8 doesn’t disappoint. The Art Deco design creates a genuinely premium, luxurious feel throughout.

Diamond and star motifs, brushed aluminium panels, backlit detailing and polyambient lighting all come together into one cohesive look.

Étoile gets an Eternal Blue Alcantara interior as standard, with Alezan Brown Nappa leather available as an option.

The 16-inch touchscreen is wide and letterbox-shaped rather than another giant “cinema screen”. The colour scheme felt dated to us, though: Very 2010s WordArt.

And on the way back, the screen wouldn’t turn on at all.

Thankfully, there are plenty of physical controls below the screen for the climate and other everyday functions.

A head-up display comes as standard, and Étoile adds a digital rear-view mirror. Which is handy because the sloping rear window means visibility isn’t the N°8’s strong suit.

There’s no rear wiper either, so the limited rearward visibility takes a real hit when it rains. The digital mirror does a good job of filling that gap.

The steering wheel is an unusual four-spoke, X-shaped design, and it takes a little getting used to.

Étoile also comes with comfort seats featuring DS neck warmers. A nice touch, if a bit of a novelty in a car without a folding roof.

For a car of this size, rear space is on the tight side. The floor is high, kneeroom is limited, and taller passengers may find their heads brushing the roof.

But the boot? It’s long. It offers a generous 620 litres below the parcel shelf.

There’s no frunk, though, so the underfloor compartment in the boot is the only place to keep your charging cables out of the way.

Refined in parts, restless in others

Put your foot down and the DS N°8 is smooth, with calm and unhurried power delivery. The steering is good too.

The ride is a different story. It’s rather bumpy, and you feel every imperfection in the road.

That’s likely because our FWD 74kWh version doesn’t get DS Active Scan Suspension, even on Étoile trim. If comfort is your priority, it’s worth stepping up to a version that has it.

With the screen refusing to turn on, our A30 drive was music-free. That made the road noise more noticeable than we expected, with a whistling sound accompanying it.

Acceleration is smooth and plenty brisk enough, with 0-62mph taking 7.7 seconds.

Eco and Comfort modes noticeably dull the throttle response but, as you’d expect, Sport mode sharpens things up.

There are three levels of regenerative braking, selected via paddles behind the steering wheel, plus a one-pedal mode.

It’s a big car, and it feels like one when manoeuvring. Plenty of parking sensors help, and Étoile’s 360-degree camera makes life considerably easier.

Going the distance? Range and charging

The headline figure for the DS N°8 is its 466-mile range (WLTP Comb) on the FWD Long Range.

Our 74kWh version still manages up to 364 miles (WLTP Comb).

Real-world range tells a different story, though:

• 74kWh: 364 miles (WLTP Comb) vs 260–290 miles real-world, which is 20–29% lower
• 97.2kWh: 466 miles (WLTP Comb) vs 320–330 miles real-world, which is 29–31% lower

Both fall well short of their official figures, so it’s worth planning around the real-world numbers rather than the headline claims.

Thanks to its 400V system and 160kW DC charging, a 20–80% top-up takes 26 minutes for the 74kWh battery, or 27 minutes for the 97.2kWh.

An 11kW onboard charger comes as standard, with a 22kW charger available as an optional extra.

On a 7.4kW home wallbox, a 20–80% charge takes just under eight hours. That’s ideal for an overnight top-up.

A heat pump comes as standard, along with battery and cabin preconditioning, to help the N°8 drive as efficiently as possible.

Safety and warranties

The DS N°8 scored four stars from Euro NCAP in 2025:

• Adult occupant: 76%
• Child occupant: 85%
• Vulnerable road users: 80%
• Safety assist: 65%

Safety assist is its weakest score. Étoile adds DS Drive Assist 2.0, which includes semi-automatic lane change, anticipated speed adaptation and predictive adaptive cruise control.

The car comes with a three-year, 60,000-mile warranty, which is fairly average for a premium model. The battery is covered for longer, at eight years or 100,000 miles.

You also get DS Assistance 24/7 breakdown cover, the Only You concierge service through the MyDS app, and the Connect Plus pack for three years.

What’s good, and what’s not

The good bits

• Art Deco cabin with genuine character
• Up to 466 miles (WLTP Comb) on Long Range
• Plenty of physical controls
• Long boot with easy underfloor storage
• Generous standard kit (heat pump, HUD, heated wheel, motorised tailgate)

The not-so-good bits

• Bumpy ride on our version (no Active Scan Suspension)
• Road and wind noise
• Dated infotainment colour scheme
• No frunk
• 400V charging slower than some rivals

What’s the verdict?

Rating options: 7/10

The DS N°8 is DS’s most convincing flagship yet, and a real step up from the DS 9.

Its style and cabin character are the standout reasons to choose it. Nothing else in the class looks or feels quite like it inside.

The comfort promise depends on which version you pick, though. Without Active Scan Suspension, our car’s ride didn’t live up to the luxury billing, and the road and wind noise didn’t help.

Range is a genuine strength, especially on the Long Range.

For the right driver, it’s a refreshing alternative to the German default.

Five reasons to lease the DS No8

1. Swerve depreciation: DS flagships have historically lost value fast (Auto Express), and that risk isn’t yours on a lease
2. Something different on the driveway, without a long-term commitment
3. Up to 466 miles (WLTP Comb) suits long-distance commuters
4. 4% BiK makes it tempting for company car and salary sacrifice drivers
5. Generous standard kit and a characterful cabin for a fixed monthly payment

Would we recommend leasing a DS N°8?

Yes, especially if you want style and individuality over the German norm.

Leasing takes away the residual value worry that has historically dogged DS, so you can enjoy all that Parisian flair without worrying about what it’s worth in three years’ time.

Our top tip: If comfort is a priority, go for a version with Active Scan Suspension, such as the Étoile Long Range or AWD.

It’s best suited to drivers with home charging, those who cover long distances, and anyone who wants their car to feel a little bit special.