FOUR TO THE FORE(some text hidden)

By Car & Driving

Ten Second Review word count: 77

The second generation DS 4 compact premium hatch deserves more recognition than it'll probably get. For us, this is the most interesting and distinctive car of its kind in this part of the market. There are sharp looks, a stand-out cabin - and the option of clever damping technology too. PHEV engine tech's there if you want it and all the powertrains are efficient. In short, there's lots to like if you don't mind the premium pricing.

Background word count: 211

The Stellantis Group's DS premium brand has yet to gain much traction in the UK. Here's where that has to change, with this car, the second generation DS 4. A quick DS history to start with. The brand launched in stand-alone form in 2015, mostly re-badging sportier Citroens until it could launch its own design, the DS 7 Crossback SUV, in 2017. Since then, we've had the first generation DS 4 model, which sold between 2015 and 2019 and which almost nobody bought. Then the small but rather curious-looking DS 3 Crossback. Followed more recently by the even rarer DS 9 upper mid-sized saloon. Nothing though, to really get people talking. But this second generation DS 4, launched here in early 2022, just might. Surprisingly, for the time being anyway, DS isn't making a slightly larger compact SUV than the DS 3. Which means that this DS 4, though really a compact premium hatch taking on the Audi A3 Sportback, the BMW 1 Series and the Mercedes A-Class, must also try and appeal to people who might want a compact premium SUV like, say, an Audi Q3, a BMW X1 or a Mercedes GLA. That's a lot to ask - from a car with a lot to prove. Can it deliver?

Driving Experience word count: 269

The avant garde looks promise sophisticated driving technology and that's what you get. For top variants, DS has carried over its clever Active Scan Suspension system from the DS 7 Crossback. This scans the road ahead as you drive, over a distance of between 5 and 25-metres and alters damping, dependent on the state of the tarmac. You can also specify infra-red night vision. And Level 2 semi-autonomous driving tech. Enough with that - you'll want to know about engines. The range kicks off with a conventional PureTech 130 unit, mated to 8-speed auto transmission. The preferrable alternative is the 48V Hybrid 136 e-DSC6 self-charging Hybrid model, which mates a bespoke version of the 1.2-litre petrol engine with a little 28hp motor built into the special 6-speed auto gearbox. There's no full-electric variant, which is odd, given that this car's Stellantis Group cousin the current Citroen C4 can be had in full-EV form. But DS does offer a Plug-in Hybrid derivative that, as with various other Peugeots, Vauxhalls and Citroens that use it, features a 1.6-litre PureTech petrol engine mated to an electric motor powered by a 12.4kWh battery for a combined output of 225hp and an electric driving range of 31 miles. The DS 4 uses the same third generation EMP2 platform as the other mid-sized Stellantis Group premium brand model it must sell against, the Alfa Romeo Tonale. But 70% of it has been modified to meet various specific DS 4 requirements. One of these is the need to accommodate the particularly large 20-inch wheels. The electric power steering system has been tweaked to suit these too.