DS No. 8 «Étoile»: French Extravagance

The two-tone look alone—with its dark hood, front end, and dark roof—makes the DS flagship stand out from the crowd. However, the extravagance isn’t limited to the optional two-tone paint scheme (1,900 francs extra); it extends to the overall design of this stately French car. The striking lighting graphics and unique lighting signature also make the 4.81-meter-long and 1.90-meter-wide N°8 «Étoile» a head-turner—though it’s not quite a car with a star yet. The interior of this five-seater offers a luxurious ambiance, plenty of space in both the front and rear, and, above all, a massive trunk with 566 to 1,514 liters of storage space.

Looking for a touch of luxury?

The DS designers also let their creativity run wild with the interior, which has both pros and cons. Details made of brushed aluminum—as well as the controls and air vents—are more reminiscent of jewelry or watches than a car’s cockpit. The interior looks very elegant, and the contours and decorative stitching on the leather seats exude a sense of luxury, but the feel of certain elements just isn’t quite right. The hard plastic on the center console, for example, is a bit of a letdown. Even the special radiating pattern on it can’t change that. In some cases, the controls and button placement also take a bit of getting used to, but we’re only driving the DS for a short while. What we quickly got used to, however, is the excellent massage function—whether “cat’s paws,” “waves,” or “butterfly.” It makes you hardly want to leave the seats, which are already extremely comfortable.

Predictive Suspension

You’re completely relaxed behind the wheel of this electric all-wheel-drive vehicle anyway. In typical DS fashion, you glide along smoothly and enjoy the high level of ride comfort. This is made possible, among other things, by the DS Active Scan Suspension, which detects road irregularities up to five meters ahead of the vehicle and reacts to them through continuous damper control—almost as if anticipating the road ahead. With 257 kW/350 PS and 509 Nm, the all-wheel-drive model we tested also delivers the necessary dynamism when needed and effortlessly sprints to 100 km/h in 5.4 seconds. If you prefer a sportier driving experience, you’ll have to settle for a range slightly less than the promised 664 km according to WLTP, despite the 97.2-kWh battery.

On the plus side: The DS N°8 was recently upgraded with the convenient «Plug & Charge» feature, which automatically starts charging as soon as the cable is plugged in, without requiring authentication. Although it costs an additional 1,400 francs, it does make things more convenient. Speaking of costs: At a total of 82,400 francs, this French extravagance came at a price in our test car. Of course, there are more affordable options: the N°8 ’Pallas« with 169 kW/230 PS, front-wheel drive, and a 73.7-kWh battery starts at 49,900 francs—but then you have to sacrifice some of that flair and charm.

Expert Opinion DS No. 8 «Étoile»

This French car, with its eye-catching design—both inside and out—is a gentle giant that offers a comfortable ride and plenty of space. However, as a premium long-range model with all-wheel drive, it also comes at a price.

Advantages
+ Comfortable; despite its size, it offers a ride quality almost like that of a palanquin
+ An extravagant design that stands out from the crowd
+ Ample storage space and a high level of comfort, including massage seats

Disadvantages
– Slightly limited overview
– Controls and button placement that take some getting used to