DS 4 E-Tense review: classier than a Mercedes A-Class?

[@themanipulator1]

It's a shame most of the buying public will blindly buy small German crossovers based nothing on objective quality but purely on false brand prestige.

[@bondjamesbond9041]

Well said

[@lucasworktv]

French cars never had Good quality, so why do they have to start have it? And yes, this car isn’t cheaper as a German car!

[@richgl31]

@@lucasworktv but do generally now have better reliability than German cars🤔

[@lucasworktv]

@@richgl31 no

[@richgl31]

@@lucasworktv Your opinion is about a decade out of date. Some French models now rate highly in reliability lists and some German cars are notable as being high in Unreliability list; there is no longer a solid argument either way- so then the next metric have to look is the cost of servicing and there is a huge difference in the UK ; German cars 2 to 3 times more (so you should expect them to be reliable!).

[@whatever_12]

Recently got into a ds 3 and it's interior quality is better than audi and bmw, and rival my 21 a200... On the driving it's more on the comfy side

[@klausschelling8159]

This review is about the DS4, "mate".... the DS3, the car you mentioned, is an older generation car. The DS4 is BETTER than its German counterparts. I am German and I have ordered mine. Interior quality, materials, etc... it's on same level of quality as the big 4 German car makers (Mercedes, Audi, BMW and VW). And the design is just sensational, what a beauty. My wife didn't know about DS when I told about that car, we went to the DS store and in less than 5 seconds, she told me "what a car ! So beautiful !" The French have really levelled up since 2012, it's no longer the 90's. Check out what Peugeot does, the 3008, the 508, the brand new 408. The 2008 or the 208. Come to Germany, French cars everywhere.

[@scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain]

Excellent review, I recently reviewed a DS4 Cross on my channel and was very impressed with the DS4, I really like the Alcantara effect on the dash, if I had the £40k then I would have this in a heartbeat.

[@carbuyer]

Thanks!

[@jmccallum34]

I'd have one. I currently own a mk 1 DS4, and whilst it's really not up there with the German marques, it's still one of the best cars I've ever owned. So yes, I'd definitely have a new DS4.

[@TheAllMightyGodofCod]

I have been driving my 2009 C4 which has a lot in common with the MK1 DS4 and so far, it has been flawless. And the fuel efficiency is out of this world!

[@anthonystevens8683]

A great concise review Sara. If I was in the market for a car of this class I'd certainly take a closer look. Styling is different in a good way and I do like those almost stingray (the fish) daylight running lights that sweep around. Definitely the best DS so far as you mention. I hope it sells well but that asking price might be asking a little much from those who prefer a different badge on the beak. Rear seat space may be an issue for those who want to carry larger passengers often but apart from cars on the school run I do not see many cars with the rear seats occupied on my 30 mile commute to work. Personally I'm not bothered about the badge on the snozzle but more about the dealer network and how they are rated.

[@wainerollins2587]

Definitely classier than the A Class. The A Class is a nice looking car, but it doesn't look sensational like the DS4 does. The DS4 also has the advantage of being less ubiquitous.

[@picardlouis2653]

THIS LOOKS AMAZING and today is my birthday

[@carbuyer]

Happy birthday!

[@backdoorbursta2866]

This looks crap and my cat died, big deal, lol

[@picardlouis2653]

@@carbuyer :)

[@picardlouis2653]

@@backdoorbursta2866 :(your aw man its a car from my home country and now this :( :( :( :( :( :( this made made birthday 1% worst

[@klausschelling8159]

To those who say that it's just a Citroen with fancy buttons : first of all , DS is not owned by Citroen but by Stellantis. Also, Lexus is owned by Toyota, Infiniti is owned by Nissan. Same applies to Audi and Porsche, owned by VW. Yet you wouldn't call a Lexus a Toyota , right ? You wouldn't call a Porsche "a VW" , right ? So stop calling DS a Citroen because it's not one. DS is a stand alone brand since 2015..... 7 years. Some idiots love to disrespect this car just because it's a French one. Idiots in the UK seem to live in the past and think that French cars are the same than in the 90's. It's time to wake up and smell the coffee. The French brands deliver really nice cars since 2010, particularly Peugeot and DS. The French have dramatically increased the quality and the design , they have levelled up BIG TIME. Check out Peugeot models : they put to shame anything Mercedes or BMW release. The Peugeot 3008, 208 and 2008 and the best cars in all Europe in their respective categories. The brand new 408 is sensational, it's like a baby Lamborghini Urus. The DS4 E-Tense is a jewel, so beautiful. I really don't get the hatred this car gets from British viewers. I think it's just pure Francophobia. Every where I go to Europe, I see French cars everywhere and it's totally justified. The Brits live in the past, as always. They have an obsession for German cars that made Mercedes and the others super rich. In the UK, people buy cars to impress their neighbours, that's ridiculous.

[@bondjamesbond9041]

Along with several other brands, both Citroen and DS are owned by Stellantis. DS also shares some engines and many other parts with Citroen and Peugeot.

[@klausschelling8159]

@@bondjamesbond9041 Sharing something with Citroen or Peugeot doesn't make DS cars Peugeots or Citroens. Audi and Porsche are owned by VW, they do share stuff with Skoda (actually, much more than what most people might imagine), but that doesn't make them Skodas.

[@lucasworktv]

But DS is Citroen

[@klausschelling8159]

@@lucasworktv Do you have a brain your head ??? I did explain that DS has been a stand alone brand for 8 years now, and is not owned by Citroen, but by Stellantis.... What is your F problem that you are even able to work that out ???

[@bondjamesbond9041]

@@stephen10. not with their engines. Cambelts running in oil is a bad design. 3 cylinder engines installed in medium to large cars does not bode well for longevity

[@bertie1989]

Very nice looking car yet misses out on some key equipment across all trim levels, heated seats are optional extras, adaptive cruise control is an optional extra, auto-hold isn’t available at all. Unforgivable to miss these items out at this price range

[@robincurston7086]

The things you list are standard on top of the modals

[@krasimirdimov4778]

Hahahah "The designerrs didn't know when to stop designing", loved that phrase !!!!!

[@seancotter4610]

If I was in the market for a small premium hatch I’d buy this

[@nicolahume]

Loving your work Sara!👏👏👏

[@carbuyer]

Aww Nic! Too kind.

[@BikeSausage]

There is very little to choose between German and French “quality” nowadays. I very nearly bought a C5X - the show stoppers there were lack of AWD for now and the PHEV boot is smaller than ICE. Mercedes have gone a bit “Disney bling”, BMW’s grilles are “beaver bling” and Audis are just too corporate. I ended up with a Volvo V90 CC - but the C5X I’m pressed me when I saw it.

[@AR-zr1om]

Love this, gonna get the mid spec 180bhp one next

[@mendistudio]

It does look great and expensive. The roof lining should be black to match the rest of the interior though.

[@carbuyer]

That's often the case on sportier models, but the benefit of a lighter rooflining is a brighter interior. Not helped here by small rear windows and a chunky C-pillar, mind...

[@dufonrafal]

I prefer it like that.

[@patriotbarrow]

The world is full of samey crossovers and hatchbacks, and the DS line tries to buck that trend with different styling, yet here is carbuyer telling people that the styling is a dealbraker. Get real.

[@oliverstemp9132]

What a great car, the DS3 is pretty nice too. Very negative conclusion though, considering you spent most of the video saying how good the car is

[@billydonaldson6483]

The ‘A’ class is one of the best selling cars in the U.K. for a reason, it is an excellent car that holds onto its value.

[@bondjamesbond9041]

Long term MB are endless money pits.

[@bw1376]

Best-selling doesn't automatically make them good. I wouldn't want to own one outside of the warranty period, especially the Renault engine poverty-spec models.

[@challyho2u244]

Mercedes a class are everywhere this ds4 is the best looking car out there beats the Germans

[@jamiep61]

I enjoyed watching the Video Review. It definitely looks more stylish than the Mercedes A-Class

[@Ben-kp6bp]

This new reviewer is great

[@carbuyer]

Glad you think so, Ben! Plenty more to come.

[@meozturk23]

All due respect, Please reconsider your decision to buy this car... I bought the 2023 model and have been dealing with its absurdities for a year. While driving, all the screens go out, I can't turn off the air conditioning, I can't see my speed, and I can't disable lane assist or the start-stop function. In short, I can't perform any actions that are controlled through the screens.

[@chakawhyte5753]

I remember her from ‘A Place in the Sun’; has she been hanging out with Danny Dyer or summink?

[@Fantic1980]

At least she figured out how to lower the seat this time.

[@Nexus.Achiles]

Très bien Sara, merci.

[@TheKejmul]

What a great review!

[@carbuyer]

Thanks for watching!

[@abc33944]

Increase the wheel base by about 5 inches .. and u got a winner!

[@robincurston7086]

Top of the range just under 48K with a few extras. The elec one I would think for the top of the range it would be round 50k.

[@leemurray2500]

Hang on! Please tell me, why the VW Golf?? Worst of all, why say "then of course, the VW Golf" ? Of course? Why do you put that vehicle on a pedestal? The DS4 definitely is a class above the Golf. Let me remind you that the Golf has been widely criticised throughout the press and sales have reflected this criticism. Sara, people listen to your advice. If you keep recommending lacklustre cars (Golf), what chance do the class leaders have?

[@bondjamesbond9041]

Lee very well said. I completely agree. The Golf like many VW brands is boring. Also let us not forget diesel gate....

[@leemurray2500]

@@bondjamesbond9041 Funny that you mention DieselGate James, I was making enquiries to join one of the legal 'groups' that are cumulatively seeking compensation from VW (amongst others). Watch this space . . . 😉😉

[@kruno1861]

Low on engine options. If you don't want hybrid, you are in problem.

[@alastairs3727]

Looks wicked, nice one Citroen - it makes the competitors looks so bland. Love it

[@CharlieGB03]

It’s a DS…

[@Ts.Dotsov]

Ds is a model of Citroen, DS was originally a model line of Citroen and DS is currently a premium brand of Citroen! So that's a cool Citroen 😍

[@CharlieGB03]

@@Ts.Dotsov DS is it’s own brand which is owned by Citroën, just like Audi and Porsche are owned by Volkswagen. You wouldn’t call an Audi a VW so why call this DS 4 a Citroën when it isn’t? They may share parts but that’s the same with almost all car brands.

[@Ts.Dotsov]

@@CharlieGB03 Your comparison is wrong. Vw appropriated Audi! DS is a newly created brand inspired by Citroën's model of the same name, so to say that Citroën and Ds have nothing in common is wrong and stupid. After all, the DS was originally a Citroën line and then they spun it off! I think of Maybach, which in 2005 was an independent BRAND of Daimler, and in 2015 became part of the top range of Mercedes. And here it might be time to return the DS back to Citroen!

[@CharlieGB03]

@@Ts.Dotsov I didn’t say that Citroën and DS have nothing in common, so what you just said is wrong and stupid. Just read my comment again.

[@InterPaul13]

Where’s Nicola?

[@polardabear]

But the question is, is it quieter inside than a Mercedes? I drive a lot of highway miles and the cars interior has to be quiet.

[@GrazieD]

I have just taken a long Journey in my DS4 E-Tense. Although smaller, it has similar refinement to my previous 2 cars (Volvo V90 and Mercedes E Class). Loses a bit of refinement when the battery runs flat as only a 1.6l. when running in hybrid or electric it's limo smooth.

[@polardabear]

@@GrazieD+ Good to hear. Im always sceptical about car reviewers opinions on things like cabin noise. Like on a new Qashqai the interior being quieter than on a older one which wasn't true when i test drove them.

[@betrenthmouze6336]

It is really quiet on board. I drive the DS4 Performance Line+ PureTech 130 now for 1 year and 4 months. Cruising with it is an absolute joy. You only hear the engine when accelerating. Tire and wind noise are not noticable. Front and back windows are all double glazed.

[@youraveragejoe1]

I wonder how they made it that slow with 225hp. I guess the hybrid batteries must be very very heavy

[@jetthicks6658]

They're really heavy

[@bondjamesbond9041]

This is way more interesting than boring A class/ BMW 1 series and the very boring Golf. If only DS could offer Lexus like customer service (which it does not) then it would be a winner for me. Unfortunately the unimaginative general public will continue to buy the boring German brands with their so so reliability and customer service.

[@klausschelling8159]

I call BS on your comment. I have ordered my DS4 and it went perfectly well. Top DS store in Germany with great customer service. And poor reliability ? French cars score excellent in safety tests in all Europe. I know that because I checked it out online, in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg and Italy (I haven't checked Spain). French cars are absolutely not inferior to German cars about safety, and it's a complete and grotesque myth that they fall apart in a few years. My own brothers drives a Peugeot 3008 since 2016, superb car, 100.000 km + and still 0 technical issue. He had Citroens previously and never had a single problem. Don't know why the Brits love that bad to trash talk anything the French do.

[@bondjamesbond9041]

@@klausschelling8159 don't think you read my first comment properly. Yes this DS/Citroen is interesting. But my main comment was that Citroen don't offer good service and are not the most reliable brand. These facts can be backed up by several customer surveys including JD power, what car,auto express,osv and which magazine. Think the aforementioned are a more accurate source than you. Note in my original comment I did not say that French cars are inferior to German cars!! But French cars don't offer the same level of customer service as Lexus.FACT!

[@klausschelling8159]

@@bondjamesbond9041 1/ It's true that I misread your first comment. 2/ "This Citroen is interesting" = sorry to break it to you, it's not a Citroen. It's a DS Automobiles and it's getting REALLY TIRING to have to explain it over and over to low IQ people that are uncapable to get it.... 2/ Citroen doesnt offer good service and is not the most reliable brand = to me, they offer good service, I dealt with them and everything went very well. Not the most reliable brand ? Of course they are not, they are not number 1, but they offer decent reliability, much better than what most people think it is. Sorry, I wouldn't trust your surveys, they come from english speaking people, so they are massively biaised against French cars. I know, I often read the anglo press. I find car reviews made lighty, there is no seriousness, they don't get go in depth... It's just amateur work... Even when French cars are excellent, they are so reluctant to admit it... it's so biaised... I am German, I only trust surveys coming from Germany, Switzerland, Austria, the Netherlands and Scandinavian countries. Because they are made by competent people , unbiaised. DS Automobiles scores absolutely excellent in safety tests in all European countries. I checked it out for 8 European countries. I did my research. I really couldn't care less what "JD Power" or "Whatcar" may publish. Trust me, those guys are funny amateurs compared to the AutoZeitung or other German speaking publications.

[@mandyarnage2530]

@@klausschelling8159 funny how your sat there watching a UK video

[@klausschelling8159]

@@mandyarnage2530 I just came to see what the English think and post, and I have to say : you guys are so predictible.

[@alanwayte432]

Come back Nicola

[@MigV40]

Lmao why are you guys hating on her??

[@philipc239]

Because she looked like their mom who left them when they were little a life of misery 😂😂😂😂😂

[@andreydavydov6417]

She's a great presenter there's no doubt, but someone still misses Nicola 😿

[@walnutcookies]

Personally it's too blinky to me with that diamond-ish styling.

[@zzl1388]

Ds4在中国卖2万欧元

[@Ts.Dotsov]

Citroën 🥰 🎯

[@klausschelling8159]

It's a DS, how stupid can you be

[@anakinskywalker4113]

I wouldn’t spend so much money on a DS or any other small car for that matter. I think anything over £25,000 is too expensive for my liking.

[@youraveragejoe1]

Under 25k for a hatch is a bit of a struggle these days. The cheapest spec Peugeot 308 starts at 25,380, golfs cheapest spec starts at 25,600. At least there’s still the seat leon

[@podge5555]

Great looking car but will be cursed with French luxury cars dismal resale values

[@klausschelling8159]

still this silly idiotic "resale value" argument the Brits throw out all the time. Boring.

[@podge5555]

@@klausschelling8159 I’m not British and it still very much exists!

[@QatarVegan]

@@klausschelling8159 not silly or idiotic when you decide to sell it. ‘Do the math’ as an American would say.

[@tonyb3629]

I think the key think here, despite attempts to make it appear premium, is the big question - who'd spend £40k on a Citroen? It's a lot of money in the first place, and would you spend YOUR money on a French car that tries to pretend it isn't?

[@jmccallum34]

It's not a Citroen. It's a DS.

[@jmccallum34]

@@stephen10. quite correct.

[@FleetAdmiral215]

My money wouldn't touch anything French & this is just a citroen with shiny buttons but £40K?, the depreciation would be a bigger nightmare than normal, I'll stick with the German Marques, Great video though !

[@1m_megapixels]

stop living in the past you boring goon

[@patriotbarrow]

Good for you! Keep buying unreliable cars to make yourself feel better.

[@CharlieGB03]

DS is much more than “a Citroën with shiny buttons” but if you want to be a brand snob then go ahead - you’re missing out on great cars!

[@klausschelling8159]

That's a grotesque comment, from a low IQ individual. I am German, can tell you there is a lot of anger in Germany towards Mercedes, Audi & co because the level of quality no longer what it used to be and cars are OVERLY EXPENSIVE. You Brits aren't aware of what's going on on the continent. 40.000 for a DS, yes, yet go see similar models of Audi and check out the prices. You'll have to pay 10.000 or even 15.000 more to get a car... Silly clowns like you love to pay extra money just to get the German badge and impress the neighbours. DS Automobiles is one formidable brand and they are only gonna get better. Already on same level of quality as German cars.

[@Adam-ps4kg]

Would you buy a merc

[@pb5x5]

Just too fussy looking on the outside, just trying to hard. Inside is much better. But I wouldn't pay that much for a Citroen.

[@CharlieGB03]

That’s like saying you wouldn’t buy an Audi because it’s owned by VW. Or is it because you’re a brand snob? 🤔

[@pb5x5]

@@CharlieGB03 I wouldn't pay that much for any new car. Bands aren't worth paying for either now. All cars are way over priced and most are over styled.

[@jmccallum34]

It's not a Citroen. It's a DS

[@pb5x5]

@@jmccallum34 Like Lexus isn't a Toyota really. Its called badge engineering.

[@Wat34900]

Sweetheart u should be home cooking and cleaning for your husband, not reviewing cars

[@binal797]

Mate shouldn't you be on a cave painting in France