DS N07 review 2026 12DS N07 review 2026 12IntroductionTypically when a new car arrives, its predecessor is deemed old news and mentioned in passing at best. Yet the media launch of the DS N°7 involved the screening of an emotional video montage of its DS 7 predecessor, its stint as Emmanuel Macron's presidential limo among the highlights.The 7 did a mighty job for DS, contributing 50% of the French brand's sales for much of its life and selling more than 200,000 units across eight years.AdvertisementAdvertisementIts replacement raids Stellantis's STLA Medium locker to offer both hybrid and fully electric power (badged E-Tense), with a starting point of £38,290 – a very gentle climb over the outgoing car.Design & stylingDS N07 review 2026 13Much like its Peugeot 3008, Vauxhall Grandland and Jeep Compass cousins, the N°7 is natively front-driven, bucking the general trend of its premium rivals, although the top E-Tense variant offers dual motors for four-wheel drive. The EVs ascend through FWD 230hp, FWD 245hp and AWD 350hp versions, the first of those using a 73.7kWh (usable) battery for a 337-mile range, the last two a much larger 97.2kWh pack to claim 460 and 422 miles respectively.The entry-level Hybrid uses an updated Puretech 1.2-litre turbo triple with the promise of greater reliability. Paired with a 28bhp electric motor built into its six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, it supposedly can cover half of its urban mileage with the petrol engine extinguished.Its design traces back neatly to 2020's DS Aero Sport Lounge concept and is closely related to the recently introduced N°8 flagship.For all the latter's more saloon-like styling, their rooflines look very similar. Vertical front LED strips link back to the seminal Citroën DS3 of 2010, while a similar treatment of the rear lights helps contribute to the 0.26 Cd aero figure, which helps yield such promising range.AdvertisementAdvertisementDesign boss Thierry Métroz has been at DS since day one and says his cars should always be the most efficient among their various Stellantis relations – a philosophy that we will see continue with a third-generation 3 this autumn.InteriorDS N07 review 2026 18Your most immediate impression inside is of its four-spoke steering 'wheel'. Early miles might be driven in a slightly disjointed manner, but its thumb rests settle your hands nicely at nine and three and it's pretty easy to get acquainted with.Key surfaces are covered in plush materials and among the cheerier trim options are purple nappa leather and navy Alcantara.While some of the original 7's quirkier touches (sports car-like centralised window switches, reclining rear seats) have been left behind, some tangible effort has been invested in making its switchgear feel unique.Inevitably lots of functions live within the central touchscreen, but DS claims it's angled equally at both front occupants; no needlessly driver-focused notions here.AdvertisementAdvertisementIt's longer than its predecessor in both length and wheelbase, but its interior space doesn't represent an enormous leap forward and its boot volume is essentially a step back: you get 560 or 1570 litres with the rear seats down in the Hybrid and FWD EVs or 515/1525 litres in the AWD EV, compared with 555/1752 litres in the old car.Engines & performanceDS N07 review 2026 34DS predicts a 50/50 sales split between the hybrid and electric models, but this will swing in the latter's favour in fleet-led markets.Our first try is of the 242bhp E-Tense FWD Long Range, which accelerates with more alacrity than its 7.8sec 0-62mph claim suggests while avoiding the front-axle scrabble to which plenty of rival EVs succumb. It's no firecracker but neatly balances urgent thrust with intuitive throttle response.Assisting further is its easily adjustable regenerative braking. Three modes live within the paddle shifters while an abrupt one-pedal is activated from the centre console.AdvertisementAdvertisementCuriously, that appears to be your only route to auto-hold functionality for the handbrake and in its other settings the car can roll back on brake pedal release, even in Drive.The 143bhp, 0-62mph-in-10.4sec Hybrid inevitably works much harder: a powertrain that's fun to rub along with in a Vauxhall Corsa clings to higher revs here, although performance is decent enough for its likely use case. Sport mode helps keep its six-speed gearbox perky.Ride & handlingDS N07 review 2026 35Bougier trims add a Comfort mode alongside Normal, Eco and Sport, and it's through this that you can activate the optional road-scanning system (as seen on the old 7). It works well, smoothing out the creases of the standard suspension set-up's still-commendable ride. The Hybrid gets a twist-beam rear axle, EVs gain a multi-link arrangement.Truth is, all N°7s offer enough compliance for task and it strikes a pleasing balance between comfort and agility for a premium SUV. It masks its mighty weight better than the 3008 too, the E-Tense's extra performance more than compensating for its worrisome gain over the 1556kg Hybrid (which ranges from 535-696kg depending on your battery and motor layout).MPG & running costsDS N07 review 2026 12DS claims 3.8mpkWh for this E-Tense FWD 245hp Long Range and around 50mpg for the base Hybrid – pretty amiable figures.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe EV's range figures are among the best in the class, particularly with the larger battery, beating the Mercedes-Benz GLC Electric and running the BMW iX3 close – which goes some way to compensating for its 400V electrical architecture (rather than 800V) and paltry peak rapid-charging rate of 160kW.The Hybrid prices well against the old 7, opening bidding below £40,000, but the goodies that really set the N°7 apart in its saturated competitor set – nappa leather, acoustic glazing, massaging seats – belong to pricier trims and packs.The EV feels a bigger leap of faith, starting at £49,190 with the smaller battery in Pallas trim and asking another eight grand with the larger battery and the Étoile trim required to unlock Active Scan Suspension. La Première edition nudges £67k.VerdictDS N07 review 2026 38There's plenty to admire here, and the N°7 stands reasonably proud of its many relations – most notably in E-Tense form with the trick suspension.AdvertisementAdvertisementQuite how robust DS's future looks under the new Stellantis hierarchy we don't yet know. But for now, this is an intriguing and (broadly) plush alternative to the normcore.]]>
