The refreshed DS 5 is the first model to carry the now independent DS badge, leaving the days of Citroen behind it. This has come at a rather appropriate time in terms of heritage, as 2015 is the 60th anniversary of the very first DS model.
Carrying the tagline ‘Spirit of Avant-Garde’, DS automobiles promise to offer luxury, style and performance, all-rolled into one. So what of the DS 5? Well, it has sold 80,000 units worldwide since its launch and as the largest model in the DS line-up – sitting above the DS3 and DS4 – it is DS’ flagship offering. Its 2015 refresh brings a host of new exterior tweaks, engine updates and technical alterations to its suspension. First deliveries of the newly-branded, luxury French car will begin from July 1.
On the outside, the DS 5 features a more vertical grille, chrome sabres flowing from its front-end to its flanks, signature DS wings – a nod to the original DS model – and new DS headlamps, which will eventually be incorporated across the DS range.
The cabin retains its aviation-inspired DNA, with overhead buttons surrounding you in both the driver and passenger seat. Equipment is generous across both Elegance (£25,980) and Premium (£29,560) trim levels, too. The key addition up front is the new seven-inch touchscreen system. By getting rid of 12 function buttons and integrating them into the screen functions, DS has managed to declutter the dashboard layout. However, we think the seven-inch screen gets swallowed by its hefty dashboard and feel like it should possibly be an inch bigger.
Overall, the interior does feel very cool and upmarket, thanks to its alluring, curvy design, aluminium inserts and plentiful soft-touch materials. Life as a rear passenger is good too, with adequate leg room and oodles of light flooding in thanks to a glass roof. This glass roof however eats into headroom. Six-footers beware.
Out of the three turbocharged diesels on offer, with power outputs of 118bhp, 148bhp and 178bhp, we tested what is expected to be the best-seller, going down the middle for the 2.0-litre 148bhp derivative. This was mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. CO2 for this engine stands at 105g/km, which represents an 18 per cent improvement. An average of 68.9mpg is also claimed, but on our hour drive that tackled both motorways and B roads, we achieved around 45mpg.
Although on paper its maximum pulling power is at 1,500rpm, unfortunately some turbo lag when you put your foot down means you have to wait for power to kick in. When it does kick in it takes you 10.9 seconds to reach 62mph – and will come accompanied with a smidgen of torque steer and a prominent grumble from the engine.
The shift of the manual gearbox is very slick, but it can still be difficult to achieve smooth acceleration up the gears – especially when you are cruising at slower speeds – as power is not evenly spread. The automatic gearbox is much better in this department, allowing for much more seamless gear changes at lower speeds.
DS’ ethos on driving dynamics and comfort is based around what it calls ‘Dynamic Hyper Comfort’ – which essentially means that the DS 5 aims to offer the best of both worlds. DS has introduced new ‘Pre-loaded Linear Valve’ (PLV) suspension technology to achieve this. In theory, this means the DS 5 can adapt its suspension accordingly to the road.
We found the suspension performed better at lower speeds when pottering about town, absorbing bumps and road undulations with little trouble. At speed however, the suspension feels a little unsettled. It would certainly play on your mind if you were to use the DS 5 as a motorway cruiser.
The steering has some reassuring weight behind it, getting ever so slightly lighter at around a half turn, helping when it comes to manoeuvres. There is enough feedback to keep you happy on most roads, but take it onto a twisty country lane and you will struggle to find it truly engaging.
When we consider that the ride could be suppler and the driving dynamics aren’t all that impressive, it makes us wonder why DS didn’t just focus all of its intentions on ride quality. We think those after a stylish, luxury, serene DS model would be happy to sacrifice the handling of a BMW 3 Series for a car offering class-leading comfort.
