Citroen DS7 Crossback (Price, from, £45,535)
WHAT IS IT:
IT'S a large SUV from the newly established DS premium brand. Designed as an upmarket alternative to Citroen and Peugeot, it mixes two parts flair to one part ingenuity.
ON THE ROAD:
WHILE the DS is suitably hushed once up to speed, the 2.0 litre diesel of our test car does emit a degree of clatter in low gears and under acceleration.
Once it's going through the eight-speed box, though, things become a lot more civilised and it's very easy to get along with.
We had 180hp on tap, while 295lb/ft of torque meant lugging a full load was not an issue. Nought to 62mph for our car comes in at 9.9 seconds, with a stated top speed of 134mph.
Keep the car in 'comfort' mode and you'll get to your destination in an unflustered mood, the Active Scan suspension reading the road ahead and absorbing all but the worst imperfections.
There is a degree of body lean if you get a little over enthusiastic in a corner, but drive sensibly - and why wouldn't you in a family car of this nature - and there should be little cause for concern.
ON THE INSIDE:
THE DS7 has the kind of interior that can keep you entertained for hours. You don't even have to switch on the ignition to be transfixed by the degree of detail that has been gone in to.
Push the start button though and it springs into life with a degree of theatre, the bespoke clock, for example, rotating out of its hiding place and into view.
It's touches like this and myriad others that mark this car out from the opposition. Unnecessary, yes, but nevertheless thoroughly appreciated - it smacks of an artisan's touch rather than an accountant's. One thing though, the intricately detailed window switches are great on the eye, but not so good to the touch if exposed to direct sunlight for any degree of time.
WHAT DO YOU GET:
STANDARD equipment includes hill start assist, DS Active Scan suspension, front parking sensors, reversing camera, adaptive cruise control, keyless entry and start, remote tailgate opening with key, defrosting door mirrors, electric folding door mirrors with DS LED spotlight, bi zone automatic air conditioning, front and rear electric windows, automatic wipers, odour filter, two position boot floor, eight speakers, 12.3ins digital instrument cluster, DS Connect Nav, FOCAL Electra hi-fi system, Bluetooth, wireless smartphone charging, 20ins alloys, 12ins HD touchscreen, heated front seats, electric driver and passenger seat, electrically foldable rear seat backrest with central armrest, 40:60 split folding seats, LED front fog lights, LED daytime running lights.
HOW PRACTICAL IS IT:
THE DS7 is the kind of car that makes you look forward to and not fear that long holiday trek. A roomy front section is complemented by an equally roomy rear. Unlike some vehicles, the middle seat in the back is properly functional, meaning no one is short-changed.
There are plenty of door bins and the like and a neat charging area for smartphone beneath the centre console.
The seats are supremely comfortable and if you are feeling a little fatigued up front then there's a complimentary massage system built in.
The split-level boot is a good size, 550 litres with the seats up, increasing to 1,750 if you lower the rear seatbacks.
For a relatively large car, the DS7 is easy to manoeuvre around town thanks in part to an excellent turning circle and direct steering.
RUNNING COSTS:
DS say it should be possible to get 57.6mpg from our car. I managed 44.7mpg. CO2 emissions are 128g/km.
VERDICT:
MAJORS on style and practicality, a firm favourite with our family
ALTERNATIVES:
AUDI Q5, BMW X3
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