Upcoming DS 7 Crossback: Is it worth the RM 199,888 price tag?

First appearing at the Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show in 2018, the DS 7 Crossback is now officially headed to Malaysia. Produced by the posh arm of the PSA Group, the DS 7 Crossback is one of those swanky and urbane luxury crossover SUVs that many yearn to buy. The chic European crossover is sat on top of the marque’s new EMP2 architecture and is a close cousin of the Citroen C5 Aircross. Even though it hasn’t reached our shores yet, DS’s official distributor in Malaysia has opened its order books for prospective buyers - with the 7 Crossback Performance Line trim costing RM 199,888.

Of course, the chances are that there are going to be a few changes that shall be incorporated to suit the local market. However, the question hanging over the heads of many of you here would be, as the title of this article suggests, is the DS 7 Crossback worth your hard-earned moolah? That’s something we’re going to try and figure out. Starting with…

Does it make you turn around while walking away from it?

This is one of those sentimental tug-of-war questions between your heart and brain, where you secretly hope your heart wins. If you’re going to be splurging nearly 200,000 ringgit on a luxury crossover, you don’t just want it to look pretty; you want it to draw your gaze towards it every time you walk past it. So, does the DS 7 Crossback manage that? In a word, yes. It does. The whole design is typically European - the handsome lines, smart styling cues, and restrained yet noticeable verve, all of it. Just 10 centimetres shorter than the far more expensive Audi Q5, this DS will make you want to turn back and look at it.

 

Measuring in at around 4600 mm long, 1900 mm wide, and 1600 mm tall, the DS 7 Crossback is your typical compact crossover SUV, at least as far as its dimensions are concerned. Up front, you notice the neatly-carved clamshell bonnet, a large mesh grille with bold chrome outliners, and sleek multi-element LED headlamps. There’s also the bumper which incorporates some debonair LED DRL, LED fog lamps, and a lower grille with an integrated faux skid plate for accentuated road presence. Along the sides, the 7 Crossback features some chrome trim around the windows and on the front door, bold 19-inch alloy rims, and some of that designer-favourite plastic cladding.

The rear of the D7 Cross back comes alive with some of its extravagant styling elements. The stunningly intriguing 3D-design LED tail lamps are mesmerising, while the sharp chrome trim keeps things sophisticated. Meanwhile, the flush rear bumper houses the fog lamps, an air diffuser, and large dual exhausts. Depending on the color you pick, the 7 Crossback can either stand out or melt gently into the parking lot.

Such a fashionable interior

Step inside the 2019 DS 7 Crossback, and it’ll surprise you with an interior that will probably make you want to stay longer. The well-crafted sporty appeal of this cabin amalgamates well with its outlay of luxury. The plush leather seats not only feel comfortable, but they also tend to hold you in place quite well. Meanwhile, the dual-tone interior with its stitched leather effect and metallic surfaces feel premium and solid. However, I’m not a big fan of the tacky analogue clock and the quirky design of the gear lever.

The flat-bottom steering wheel looks great, and so do the fully-digital 12.3-inch instrument cluster and the high-def 8.0-inch touch-infotainment head unit. While it triumphantly outclasses many of its rivals on the eye-candy front, it doesn’t quite feel as spacious as some of them. While the front chairs are great and supportive, the rear ones feel a little too tight and restrictive. Overall, however, it’s a nice place to be in. Features include a power tailgate, tri-zone climate control, radar-guided cruise control, Alcantara cabin trim, a 14-speaker Focal Electra sound rig, Android Auto & Apple CarPlay, etc.

The drivetrain

Under the bonnet sits a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-popper that makes 165 hp and 240 Nm. The front-wheel-drive layout of the DS 7 Crossback uses a 6-speed automatic, enabling a 0-100 kmph sprint time of 10.2 seconds and a terminal velocity of 220 kmph.

Safety

The DS 7 Crossback features up to six airbags, ABS with EBD and brake assist, dynamic stability control (DSC) with anti-skid regulation (ASR), electronic stability programme (ESP), all-round parking sensors with rear camera, and driver attention assist among others.

Verdict

For your RM 199,888, the 2019 DS 7 Crossback represents one of the most stylish, safest, and feature-packed crossovers in the market.