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Here we look at the DS 7 Crossback which is available from £325 per month, and offers an alternative from the likes of the BMW X1 and Mercedes-Benz’s GLA.

Pricing starts from £32,730 with just three trim levels on the DS7.  Starting with the ‘Performance Line’ you get active LED vision with 3D LED rear lights, cloth seat trim, air conditioning, cruise control, 19-inch alloy wheels, sensorial drive, active scan suspension, and a 12 -inch touch-screen infotainment hub with connect nav.

A ‘Prestige’ trim, priced from £36,940 adds a reversing camera, advanced safety pack, crystal controls, and heated leather sports seating.   An ‘Ultra Prestige’ starts from a whopping £43,790 and adds 20-inch alloy wheels, Nappa leather seating, focal Electra Hi-Fi system, lane keep assist and active cruise control, and an electric opening panoramic sunroof.

Four turbocharged engines are available.  Two petrol engines start with a 1.2-litre, 3 cylinder unit producing 130ps and mated only to a manual gearbox, will see you propel from 0-62mph in 10.2 seconds with a top speed of 122 mph. A 1.6-litre engine comes only with an automatic transmission and produces either 180ps or 225ps.

The stats for these aren’t too different with a 0-62mph dash in 8.9 seconds and 8.3 seconds respectively, and a top speed of 137mph and 145mph respectively.   If you require a little more frugality, a 1.5-litre diesel producing 130ps is available in either manual or automatic, which will see 0-62mph in 10.8 seconds with a top speed of 121mph.

Finally, a 2-litre 180ps diesel will see a 0-62mph dash in 9.4 seconds with a top speed of 135mph and is available only as an automatic.  At a glance, the DS7 Crossback isn’t too dissimilar to most other five-seat SUV’s on the market today.

It’s only when you get up close that you notice the fine details and intricate styling that stands this model out among a crowd. The boot is easily capable of accommodating a double buggy, whilst inside the cabin offers decent front and rear passenger room.

The heated, massage seats, with cross-stitched soft leather, are incredibly comfortable and supportive whilst the switch-gear around the dash follows in the triangular theme and looks rather funky. 

An analogue clock electronically rotates into view at the top of the centre console when you start the vehicle, and if the 12-inch touch-screen display isn’t enough for you, the digital cockpit behind the steering wheel makes light work of following the sat nav.

With an engine and gearbox combination far from lacklustre, the DS7 Crossback’s agility has been sacrificed slightly, sadly, in aid of comfort. I know comfort and quality is what DS are about, and on that basis, the lesser powered engine options are most likely favourable.

The model tested and pictured, a ‘Prestige’ 225 petrol, 8-speed automatic, with a pearlescent paint option, will cost you today £42,620. It is not unrealistic for the top trim level model with diesel engine and a couple of options ticked, to stand you almost £50,000. 

A petrol-hybrid model named ‘E-Tense’ is available as a four-wheel-drive automatic only, it’s no slouch with a 0-61mpg sprint in a mere 5.9 seconds with a stop speed of 149mph and starts from £50,725.

DS offer 3 year, 60,000 mile warranty, with service intervals of every 20,000 miles.

Fact File for model tested

Make :  DS

Model :  7 Crossback

Trim : Prestige

Engine : 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol

Gearbox : 8-speed automatic

Cost : £42,620

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Graham is a photojournalist and motoring writer with over 20 varied years of coverage from manufacturer press launches to international motorsport and motoring events throughout the world. Graham is a full member of the Guild of Motoring Writers and Ulster Motor Writers Association.