DS 4 Crossback BlueHDi 120 Review (2016)

2016 DS 4 Crossback BlueHDi 120 (pictured) in for Review

This week we’ve had the DS 4 Crossback BlueHDi 120 in for review from Citroen’s set-free DS Brand, but can the Crossback carve itself a niche?

Citroen has decided that the DS models are now a stand-alone brand, and this – the DS 4 Crossback BlueHDi 120- is a car Citroen hopes will make its mark as a great addition to the compact crossover marketplace, bringing with it a touch of ‘premium’ and a dose of Gallic flair.

To that end, DS has taken the regular DS 4 and added a touch of butch, with a ride height raised by 40mm, the usual plastic cladding for the wheelarches, roof bars and a rear spoiler, which do conspire to make the Crossback look more individual.

But is a slightly more interesting DS 4 enough to make car buyers flock to the DS Crossover, or does it simply not differentiate itself sufficiently from its DS 4 sibling (or indeed the Citroen C4) to be worthy of consideration?

We have a week, and a chunk of miles, to find out if the DS 4 Crossback is a worthy contender.

DS 4 Crossback – Inside & Out

With a name like Crossback, it’s no surprise to see the DS 4 given a faux SUV makeover, with a raised ride height, tweaked bumpers, some black plastic cladding round the wheel arches, a set of black 18″ alloys, spoiler and roof rails.

The inside of the Crossback is pretty much what you get in the Hatch, although with its standalone trim based on the Prestige DS 4 it does come well-equipped, and is far from an unpleasant place to be

It all makes for an interesting look, although not one that strikes you immediately cohesive, with the coupe profile looking a little incongruous (although that’s quite subjective), but the Crossback does make a bit more of a statement than the Hatch.

But we did find access in to the back a bit poor, and the back doors (which don’t have opening windows) have been given a ”handle’ on the trailing edge of the window and, when opened, present a delightfully pointed door end that’s perfect for stabbing you in the chest or taking the heads off children (which could be a plus).

So you get Citroen’s panoramic windscreen (which makes it feel like the DS 4 is much bigger when you drive it), Climate, Sat Nav, a 7″ infotainment screen that’s done a good job of reducing the button count (although it’s more adequate than exceptional) and keyless.

There’s nothing wrong with the Crossback’s interior – in fact it’s quite pleasant – but it’s hard to consider it particularly premium.

DS 4 Crossback – Performance & on the Road

You’re not going to buy a Citroen-based crossover and expect it to be the last word in Nurburgring-honed dynamics. And the DS 4 Crossback certainly isn’t that.

But it is actually a rather nice ride, soft and forgiving, despite which it handles rather tidily and, despite steering that seems to get rather too light when you’re pressing on, goes where it’s pointed and does so without any drama.

You wouldn’t call it exactly knife-like when it cuts through corners, but despite a bit of roll it goes where you want and does so without drama, has decent grip and the soft suspension set-up doesn’t let the side down

What is a bit odd is the brake and clutch pedal, with the clutch sitting so high it’s a bit difficult to use cleanly, and the brake pedal – certainly on first acquaintance – feeling like it’s not going to work, so long is the travel before any bite. The brakes you get used to, but the clutch is a bit of a pain.

Performance from the 1.6 litre diesel with its 118bhp is adequate, but you do have to work it to make progress, and the long gearing makes it a bit unpleasant at 30mph where it’s labouring to keep going in fourth. The six-speed manual gearbox isn’t a stunner, but it’s positive and easy to use.

But if you do keep it on boost and in a low-ish gear the performance is fine at 0-62mph in 10.9 seconds, and it’s perfectly happy on motorways and around town. And the economy is good at 72.4mpg on the official cycle, although we got a more realistic 46.8mpg.

DS 4 Crossback – Verdict

It’s quite tough to come to a verdict on the DS 4 Crossback, because in many ways it’s a tough car to love.

The styling is a little odd, it’s a bit quirky to drive and, although the equipment levels are decent, it’s quite tough to perceive it as the ‘premium’ car DS would like us to consider it.

We’d find it hard to live with back windows that don’t open, the really quite daft shape of the back doors that seem intent on causing you damage when you open them, the clutch pedal (especially for tall drivers) and the too long gearing. But…

There is still a lot to like, from the comfy ride to the quirky styling, and the fact that the DS 4 Crossback dares to be a little different

There is still a lot to like, from the comfy ride to the quirky styling, and the fact that the DS 4 Crossback dares to be a little different.

The Crossback is hard to pitch against other cars directly, and it does offer something others don’t, especially its ride quality which is so much improved from the DS 4 when it arrived, so it’s not a car you can actually dismiss.

In fact, if you have a penchant for French cars, are prepared to forgive it some of its trespasses, and live with its slightly odd controls, the Crossback could be for you.

And we have to confess, from feeling rather underwhelmed and just a bit irritated by it when it first arrived, it did rather grow on us.