DS No. 7: New Premium SUV with Electric Range Up to 740 km
DS Automobiles launches the new No. 7 premium SUV with prices starting at €45,441. Electric versions offer up to 740 km range. Can it challenge German rivals?
DS Automobiles is preparing to launch the new No. 7, the successor to the DS 7 and the brand's main contender in the premium SUV segment. In Spain, the model is priced from €45,441, roughly $53,700 at current exchange rates.
The lineup consists of four trim levels: DS, Pallas, Etoile, and La Première. Equipment can be extensive, including wheels up to 21 inches, DS Pixel Vision 3.0 headlights, a panoramic roof, a digital rearview mirror, a head-up display, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a 16-inch central touchscreen, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a smartphone charging pad, a Focal Electra 3D sound system, and adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go.
The base powertrain is a 1.2-liter turbocharged engine with a 48-volt mild hybrid system. It produces 145 hp and 230 Nm, paired with a six-speed dual-clutch automatic and front-wheel drive. The main focus, however, is on the electric E-Tense models. The entry-level EV delivers 230 hp, uses a 74 kWh battery, and has a WLTP range of up to 543 km. The longer-range variant has 245 hp, a 97 kWh battery, and a claimed range of up to 740 km. That's a number that can challenge not only city EVs but also conventional diesel SUVs on long-distance journeys.
The top-spec DS No. 7 E-Tense produces 350 hp thanks to two electric motors and all-wheel drive. It uses the same 97 kWh battery, with a claimed range of 679 km. Pricing for this version starts at €68,141 in Etoile trim and goes up to €73,641 for La Première, roughly between $80,500 and $87,000.
The pricing makes it clear that DS isn't aiming to be a cheap alternative. The electric No. 7 with a 74 kWh battery starts at €48,841, the 97 kWh version from €54,541, and the hybrid entry-level model from €45,441. Production takes place at the Stellantis plant in Melfi, Italy.
The big question for buyers is whether DS can turn its distinctive French style into a real selling point against BMW, Audi, and Mercedes. The No. 7 has range, potent variants, and luxurious features. Now it needs to prove that premium isn't just about a German badge on the grille.