DS 5. Distinct identity
Inspired by the huge demand for luxury brand models that took over the entire planet in the 2000s and 2010s. In 2009, Citroën created the DS brand to express French style and luxury through the beauty and exceptional quality of cars. In 2015, DS began its separate journey and presented its own understanding of the luxury format. Thus, the manufacturer released the DS 5, a car with a distinct identity, an original crossover hatchback, both beautiful and comfortable.
The DS 5 is a compact luxury hatchback with crossover elements, first developed by the French Citroën and launched on the European market in 2011. Chronologically, this is the third model of the DS sub-brand. Released as the Citroën DS5, the car was re-launched as the DS 5 in 2015 following Citroën’s decision to bring the DS brand into a separate model range.
Aesthetics
The eye-catching DS 5 is an intriguing combination of a hatchback that resembles not only a crossover, but also a coupe and an estate. Such a mixture of styles allows the brand’s cars to look aesthetically appealing. There are probably no cars that would be similar to the DS 5, perhaps. But competitive models include the Audi A5 Sportback, the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe or even the Volvo V60. But it is objectively difficult to compare with DS in terms of aesthetics.
The DS 5 had a serious mission. It was supposed to serve as a modern interpretation of the legendary DS model of 1955, better known as the ‘Goddess’, which gave the name to the new brand. It’s hard to say if it succeeded, but the new DS 5 looks extremely harmonious and certainly catches the eye. The car has mesmerizing definite and smooth contours of the body, artistically sculpted front and rear ends, ideal door lines, an exquisite ratio of length, width and height of the body and all its elements.
Engines and chassis
Technically, the new DS 5 is the result of restyling of the 2012 Citroen DS 5 and is formally first generation. However, of course, the 2015 DS 5 and 2021 DS 5 are different vehicles in terms of equipment. Let’s take a closer look at a more recent model. According to the manufacturer, the interior of the DS 5 was inspired by the cockpit of an aircraft. Well, it is hard to tell whether this is exactly what it looks like, but it is worth noting that the interior is modern, ergonomic, excellently arranged, finished with quality materials, not only technically perfect, but also pleasant to the touch. The touchscreen infotainment system is user-friendly and beautiful, but according to reviews, it is not as advanced as Audi, BMW or Mercedes models.
The DS 5 is a luxury hatchback with a distinct identity that doesn’t follow the crowd, remaining unusual and attractive, but also solid and strong
The interior is quite roomy. But tall adults can lack space in the back seats. The rear space is somewhat limited, which ensures that the DS 5 looks impressive on the outside. Well, beauty requires sacrifice… For the same reasons, the rear windows are small, which is why you can hardly see anything through them. But, on the other hand, no one can see how the car looks inside when looking through these windows outside. Given the target audience of the DS 5, this is another advantage. And to make up for the lack of rear view, a rear-view camera comes as standard. The trunk of the DS 5 is large enough for the luggage of a small family, reaching 0.4 cubic meters, and yet, it is smaller than the volumes offered by competitors, such as the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series and Mercedes C-Class.
The 2021/2022 DS 5 engine range includes one gasoline engine with 165 hp, three diesel engines with 120, 150 and 180 hp. There is also a hybrid version. It is assumed that the drivers and passengers of a luxury hatchback are not willing to get under the hood, so the engines, although not as smooth and quiet as those of German cars, are very reliable, designed for long non-stop driving, but on good roads. The suspension and all its elements are designed for the same. The ‘loudness’ of the engines is fully compensated by the exceptionally high-quality body layout.
Safety
The new DS 5 has been awarded a 5-star safety rating in Euro NCAP testing. Experts confirmed that the car is not only beautiful, but also durable. It also offers such advanced options as a lane departure warning system, a proprietary DS Connect safety device that calls emergency services in case of an accident, and others.
Summing up, we can say that the DS 5 is a luxury hatchback with a distinct identity, sometimes even to the detriment of functionality. It clearly does not follow the crowd, remaining unusual and attractive, but at the same time solid and strong. This French car will not let you down on the road.
