DS Automobiles DS5 2.0 HDi 150 Blue Prestige review
What is it?
DS is now a brand in its own right and this face lifted DS5 is the first model from this new French luxury brand.
On top of losing the Citroen badge, this DS5 get a makeover in the form of new looks, engines and revised suspension.
What’s hot?
- Our DS5 test car is powered by the expected top-selling engine, the 147bhp version of the 2.0-litre HDi diesel. A refined and torquey engine, top speed is 127mph and 0-62mph acceleration is 10.6 seconds, yet CO2 emissions are 105g/km and this DS5 is capable of 68.9mpg on the Combined cycle.
- The low CO2 emissions mean the DS5 2.0 HDi 150 Blue Prestige falls into the 19% company car tax band for 2015/16.
- Exterior changes for the DS5 are significant and mostly revolve around the new chrome edged family grille, headlights with LED signatures, more sculpted bonnet and a new front airdam. The charismatic chrome strips running from the windscreen pillars to the front wings remain. At the back, apart from the badging, the DS5 looks unchanged. Overall it’s quirky, stylish and everything we believe a modern DS should be.
- No sports car and not that engaging to drive, but the suspension changes made to the DS5 in its transformation have been worthwhile. The ride is generally refined and comfortable, swallowing up the worst road imperfections. On top of this, the DS5’s steering is reasonably precise.
- Like the exterior, the interior is equally quirky, although after four-years, it doesn’t feel as alien as it once was. The mix of analogue and electronic dials takes a while to get used to. We like the high end quality watch strap leather trim on the range-topping Prestige, especially the blue metallic finish.
- In range-topping Prestige trim, the DS5 has an impressive level of standard equipment including LED and Xenon signature headlights, pulsing indicators, leather trim, a blind spot indictor system, a reversing camera and front parking sensors and multi-function instruments.
- The DS5’s boot is practically-sized at 465-litres, which can be extended to 1,288 litres with the split/fold rear seat. The boot also has a practically-shaped opening.