DS NO4 1.6 Plug-in Hybrid 225 Etoile 5dr EAT8

Ten Second Review

The DS No4 is the only hatch in its premium compact segment to offer a full range of electrified powertrains - hybrid, PHEV and EV. Which gives this would-be premium DS 4 update model a useful selling point.

Background

The DS No4 isn't the car that is supposed to save the DS brand. That was the larger model that in early 2025 started this struggling Stellantis premium maker's new badging system, the DS No8. Before that, 'the car to save DS' was the design this DS No4 is merely a mid-term facelift of; the second generation DS 4 lower mid-sized hatch that was launched in 2021. Hopes were high from this Galic maker at that MK2 DS 4 model's original introduction. It was certainly a big improvement on the first generation DS 4, a hastily re-bodied Citroen sold between 2015 and 2019 (following a period where it was actually sold as a Citroen, from 2011 to 2015). At DS today, the Citroen ties are long gone - in terms of design and trimming anyway; Citroen after all, these days is Stellantis budget brand. While DS is trying, sometimes a little unsuccessfully, to be 'aspirational'. Which this DS No4 desperately needs to credibly be.

Engines and Tech Spec

You might be tempted to think that not much has changed about the engineering of this DS No4. As with its DS 4 predecessor, most sales will be made of variants with either self-charging or PHEV powertrains and both at first glance seem much as before. But updates feature in both cases. The big news is that these combustion powerplants have now been joined by an all-electric E-TENSE powertrain. It's much the same EV set-up as you'll find in a Peugeot E-308, with a 58.3kWh battery offering 279 miles of range energising a 213hp front-mounted electric motor with 343Nm of torque. If you're not quite ready for all-electric power in the segment, then perhaps the PHEV version might suit you better. Particularly now that the plug-in hybrid set-up in question is of the improved Stellantis kind, with a much larger 17kWh battery facilitating a considerably longer 50 mile EV range capability. The combustion part of the PHEV drivetrain is much as previously, based around a 1.6-litre four cylinder 180hp turbo petrol engine mated to a 110hp electric motor, the combination offering a 225hp total output with 360Nm of torque. But the gearbox is different from before, with drive now via a 7-speed automatic transmission. We mentioned earlier that the base self-charging powerplant is also changed - though here the differences are slight, based around a small increase in total output - up from 136 to 145hp. This hasn't changed either performance or efficiency and otherwise all else is as before. Which means a 1.2-litre three cylinder petrol unit assisted by a 28hp electric motor integrated into the casing of an associated six-speed dual clutch auto transmission. There's no longer any sort of diesel powertrain option.

Design and Build

The visual updates which have evolved the MK2 DS 4 into this DS No4 are quickly covered. There's what the brand calls 'a bold new front end' which features a wider, more intricately-detailed black grille. That's flanked by headlamps offering new light theatrics, their more distinctive illuminating signature apparently inspired by both the larger DS No8 and the DS E-TENSE performance concept car. This sees a segmented light beam spanning the bumper that meets an illuminated DS logo in the centre. As before, this is a moderately good looking sharply-angled lower mid-sized would-be premium hatch, measuring 4,400mm in length and riding on wheel rims between 19 and 20-inches in size. Not much has changed inside compared to the original second generation DS 4. Basalt trimming and bronze inserts try to lift the cabin above the generic volume brand norm. And in a top model fitted out with alcantara and Nappa leather, you might even feel the cabin to be quite luxurious. As with the previous DS 4, you get a fully digital cabin made up of no fewer than three displays, There's a 10-inch instrument cluster screen. And an infotainment display of the same size in the centre of the dash for media and navigation. This is controlled by a third 5-inch screen further down the centre stack known as the 'DS Smart Touch'. If that's not enough screen tech for you, top 'Etoile' trim gets a head-up display claimed to be closer to augmented reality than any other system. The information viewed doesn't just get projected onto the windscreen; it instead gets projected further out onto your view of the road in a range 4-metres ahead and on an image 21 inches wide. Another interesting touch is the lack of visible air vents; the main ventilation unit is integrated behind a strip of physical switches that sit just below the main control screen. Out back, rear seat space is reasonable but unremarkable. Boot space varies with powertrain choice, starting at 360-litres for the PHEV, 390-litres for the E-TENSE and 430-litres for the hybrid.

Market and Model

As we've told you, there are three No4 powertrain flavours - hybrid 145, Plug-in Hybrid 225 50 and the full-electric E-TENSE 279. That E-TENSE variant can be had with a base 'Pallas' level of trim (from around £37,000 at launch) but otherwise, the range offers two main trim levels - 'Pallas+' and top 'Etoile'. Just how serious DS is about improving its faltering market share is evidenced by the fact that this No.4 model is significantly cheaper than its DS 4 predecessor. The brand claims to be offering customer savings of £2,430 across all hybrid trims and £2,390 across all Plug-in Hybrid variants. That means pricing beginning from just over £32,000 for the most affordable hybrid 145 'Pallas+' model. With that 'Pallas+' trim, you'll need around £39,000 for either the E-TENSE 279 full-electric No.4 or the Plug-in Hybrid 225 50 version. Add £2,800 more to all these 'Pallas+' figures if you want top 'Etoile' spec. Mainstream No4 variants get an interior completed with diamond tungsten fabric and DS black canvas seats. The dashboard and door panels have basalt black trim with a tortoiseshell effect, as well as bronze inserts. Standard No4 equipment includes dual-zone automatic climate control, LED headlamps and full-LED rear lights, heated and folding door mirrors, along with a safety pack featuring adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking. Plus there's front and rear parking assistance with a reversing camera and acoustic laminated front side windows. Provided your No4 has 'Pallas+' spec, you'll also get the brand's DS Iris system, plus 3D connected navigation with natural voice recognition, wireless smartphone charging and keyless entry and start, as well as a heat pump on E-TENSE variants. Top 'Etoile' trim adds an alcantara-trimmed cabin, a head-up display, DS Matrix LED vision headlamps and scrolling rear indicators, along with a rear traffic detection pack, powered front seats, laminated and tinted rear glass, aluminium door sill protectors and pedals and the DS Drive Assist pack.

Cost of Ownership

All the engines are pretty efficient. The volume 1.2-litre three cylinder 145hp hybrid petrol unit is rated at 54.3mpg on the combined cycle and 116g/km of CO2 (the same as the previous DS 4 Hybrid 136). DS says that the self-charging hybrid can operate on battery power alone for up to 50% of the time in urban driving. The 1.6-litre plug-in hybrid variant offers more efficiency still, thanks to an EV range figure from the 17kWh battery (14.6kWh usable) of up to 50 miles (up from 31 miles with the previous DS 4 PHEV, which had an 11.8kWh battery). Combined cycle fuel consumption is officially quoted at 62mpg (so not much different from the old discontinued BlueHdi 130 diesel unit). The plug-in hybrid model's CO2 emissions are rated at 60g/km, which seems high for a small PHEV. For really frugal running cost returns though, you'll need the E-TENSE full-electric variant. This uses a 58.3kWh battery which can be fully DC-charged from 20-80% in 30 minutes and DC-charges at a very modest maximum of up 120kW. Home AC charging via an 11kW wallbox takes up to 6 hours 15 minutes Servicing on No4 models is needed every year or every 12,500 miles and the cost of garage visits should be affordable.

Summary

It will probably go without saying that it will take more than a DS 4 facelift to make this Gallic maker's lower mid-sized premium hatch into a really credible rival for an Audi A3, a BMW 1 Series or a Mercedes A-Class. But if DS is prepared to set its sights a little lower, there's room in the market for the DS No4. It could for example, perhaps sell to people who might once have bought a compact combustion Volvo in this part of the market. Or people who find the Hybrid-only legalism of a Honda Civic or a Lexus LBX too restrictive in this class. Certainly, the segment-unique choice of three electrified powertrains gives DS a decent card to play in this segment. And it needs to make sure it plays it well.