DS 7 review

The diesel starts from £36,760, but the absence of a pure petrol means it’s a sizeable jump to your next option, with the 222bhp, 296bhp and 355bhp plug-in hybrids starting at £44,190, £51,890 and £55,790 respectively.

Rivals? The Audi Q3 starts from £33,860, the BMW X1 from £36,225, Mercedes GLA from £37,290, Jag E-Pace from £38,220, and the Volvo XC40 from £35,830, which puts the DS 7 in the more expensive territory. On the other hand, it's bigger than they are. 

What are my trim options?

You’ve five trim levels to choose between: Performance Line, Performance Line+, Rivioli, Opera and Opera Premiere.

Base-spec Performance Line highlights include 19-inch alloy wheels, LED front and rear lights, with excellent pixel technology (an expensive option with rivals), keyless entry and start, 12-inch instrument cluster and infotainment display plus all-black Alcantara interior, while Performance Line+ trim adds front parking sensors and a reversing camera plus heated front seats and windscreen.

Rivoli trim highlights include Basalt Black leather interior, massaging front seats and that B.R.M central clock plus chrome exterior accents, while one-up Opera trim includes the choice of Basalt Black or Pearl Grey interior, ventilated front seats, electric tailgate and panoramic sunroof, wireless charging and adaptive cruise control.

Top-spec Opera Premiere trim, only available with the range-topping 355bhp 4WD variant, gets 21-inch alloy wheels, 360-degree reversing camera, FOCAL hi-fi system including 14 speakers and eight-inch subwoofer, DS Night Vision, and a hands-free boot. Avoid it. Pay less for a better-resolved more comfortable version.

What’s the best spec?

For most buyers the base-spec, 222bhp plug-in hybrid will do the business, thanks to its near silent operation, impressive comfort, and useful dose of electricity, while business buyers will also appreciate the 12 per cent BiK tax rate.

Trim? We’d be tempted to go for the Performance Line+, which adds some nice luxuries you’ll appreciate during the colder months without going OTT.