How DS are stepping out of Citroen's shadow

From Citroën sub-brand to premium contender: Meet DS Automobiles

TL;DR – Who are DS Automobiles?

DS Automobiles started life as a Citroën sub-brand before going it alone in 2014 — and they've spent the time since building a genuinely premium range to rival the German establishment.

Today's line-up covers four models: the DS 3, DS N°4, DS 7, and DS N°8, spanning electric, plug-in hybrid, and mild hybrid powertrains.

Every car carries the brand's signature Parisian design details (pearl stitching, diamond motifs, guilloche metalwork) in a way that no German rival can quite replicate.

Progressive, creative, and très français – DS Automobiles are the avant-garde brand giving the premium German manufacturers a run for their money

Forget London, Milan and New York.

When it comes to automotive fashion, all roads lead to Paris. 

And DS Automobiles are putting that Parisian flair front and centre, leaving their Citroën roots firmly in the rearview mirror.

The history behind DS

DS launched as a standalone marque in 2014, but the story starts way back at the 1955 Paris Motor Show.

The original Citroën DS 21 was so revolutionary it became a French president’s ride of choice with many a president owning one. Not bad for a car that was already making history.

Fast-forward to 2009, and DS crept back into our lives as a Citroën sub-brand.

But by 2014, they’d spread their wings and flown the nest, ready to take on the big guns.

The name itself is rather clever – depending on who you ask, DS stands for Different Spirit or Distinctive Series. But if you parlez un peu de français, you’ll spot it’s also a play on déesse, meaning ‘goddess’.

Bold? Absolutely.

But when you’re gunning for the likes of Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi, you need to make a statement.

Who is DS Automobiles owned by?

DS Automobiles is owned by Stellantis — the automotive group that also owns Peugeot, Citroën, Vauxhall and Fiat, among others.

The brand began life as part of Citroën before becoming a standalone marque in 2014, when PSA Group (Stellantis's predecessor) cut the cord and let DS forge its own path.

What makes DS different?

While Citroën focuses on affordable family motoring, DS has its sights set firmly on premium territory.

These aren’t cars that roll off a standard production line – they’re crafted with what the French call savoir-faire (that’s ‘polished expertise’ to you and me).

The attention to detail is properly impressive.

DS pioneered ‘pearl stitching’. This is a historic Parisian technique that took four years and a specially developed machine to perfect.

The result? Thread that appears and disappears through the leather like magic.

Then there’s the ‘clous de Paris’ guilloche, an engraved metal pattern inspired by the Louvre pyramid that decorates the interior surfaces. It’s basically as close to Paris Fashion Week as most of us will ever get.

What DS models are available?

DS currently offers four models in the UK:

• DS 3
• DS N°4
• DS 7
• DS N°8

If you're after something electric, the DS 3, DS N°4, and DS N°8 are all available as fully electric cars.

Prefer a hybrid? The DS 3 and DS N°4 also come in plug-in hybrid (PHEV) form, while the DS 7 is available as a PHEV only.

There's no purely petrol or diesel DS anymore — which tells you everything about the direction of the brand ahead of the 2030 petrol and diesel ban.

Previous DS models

In the past, DS have had other models on offer too. But these have since been discontinued:

• DS 3 hatchback (the original, pre-Crossback generation)
• DS 4 hatchback
• DS 4S
• DS 5
• DS 9

DS 3: The fashion statement

The DS 3 is the entry point into the DS range — a fashion-forward compact crossover that takes on the Audi Q2 and MINI Aceman with bags of Parisian personality.

The "Crossback" name was dropped with the 2023 facelift, and the DS 3 now comes as either a mild hybrid or as fully electric. The electric E-Tense uses a 54kWh battery to deliver up to 250 miles (WLTP Comb), and can charge from 10-80% in around 30 minutes on a rapid charger.

Inside, expect diamond-shaped motifs, pop-out door handles, and an interior that prioritises style as much as substance. 

Three trim levels — Performance Line, Esprit de Voyage, and Opera — give you plenty of room to make it your own.

DS N°4: The comfort seeker

The DS N°4 (formerly the DS 4) got a full facelift in 2025, bringing fresh styling that brings it in line with the flagship DS N°8, and a new name to match.

It's a premium family hatchback taking on the BMW 1 Series, Audi A3 and Mercedes-Benz A-Class, but with a distinctly French approach. Where its German rivals chase sportiness, the DS N°4 prioritises comfort — and it does that very well.

Three powertrains are available: a mild hybrid, a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) with up to 50 miles of electric range (WLTP Comb), and a fully electric E-Tense with a 58.3kWh battery delivering up to 280 miles (WLTP Comb).

There are also three trim levels on offer: Pallas, Étoile, and Étoile Nappa Leather.

Inside, expect premium materials throughout (Alcantara and Nappa leather depending on trim) plus the kind of distinctive design details DS does so well, including air vents built into the doors and a jewel-like LED tail-light signature that's hard to miss.

DS 7: The attention-grabber

The DS 7 is DS's mid-size family SUV — and the one that arguably put the brand on the map as a serious premium contender. It takes on the Audi Q3, BMW X1 and Volvo XC40, but with considerably more flair, .

The "Crossback" name was dropped in 2022, and the DS 7 is now available exclusively as a plug-in hybrid (PHEV).

It’s available in three outputs: E-Tense 225, E-Tense 4x4 300, and E-Tense 4x4 360.

Inside, even entry-level trim comes with Alcantara across the dash, a 12.3-inch digital driver's display, and the kind of attention to detail you'd expect from a brand that references Parisian haute couture for interior inspiration.

The 555-litre boot is generous too, comfortably outpacing several rivals in its class.

Three trim levels (Performance Line+, Rivoli, and Opera) round out the range, with Opera adding ventilated seats, upgraded leather throughout, and extra driving aids.

DS N°8: The electric flagship

The DS N°8 is the car DS has always been building towards — a fully electric flagship that takes the fight directly to BMW, Audi and Polestar, but with a distinctly French twist.

It's a genre-bender: part saloon, part fastback, part crossover.

It sits at 4.8 metres long but is lower and sleeker than a traditional SUV. Three powertrains are available, all fully electric. The standard front-wheel drive model uses a 73.7kWh battery for up to 355 miles (WLTP Comb), while the Long Range steps up to a 97.2kWh battery for an impressive 466 miles (WLTP Comb).

Want four-wheel drive? The twin-motor AWD delivers 345bhp and 407 miles (WLTP Comb).

All three can charge from 20-80% in under 30 minutes on a 160kW rapid charger.

Inside, the N°8 feels like a genuine step up; a wraparound aluminium dash, plush materials throughout, and a wide 16-inch touchscreen that manages to feel considered rather than gimmicky.

The active scan suspension on Étoile trim reads the road ahead and adjusts the dampers accordingly. Which, let’s face it, is less of a luxury on UK roads and more of a necessity.

Two trim levels (Pallas and Étoile) keep things refreshingly simple.

Ready to go French?

DS have successfully carved out their own slice of the premium market, offering something genuinely different from the German establishment.

Whether you're after the city-ready style of the DS 3, the comfort-focused DS N°4, the head-turning DS 7, or the long-range electric flagship that is the DS N°8, there's a DS that'll add a little Parisian panache to your driveway.