Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

DS 4 review - MPG, CO2 and running costs

The DS 4 diesel model offers impressive fuel economy, but the PHEV will be more cost-effective for company car drivers

MPG, CO2 and running costs rating

4.2

How we review cars
RRP
£34,400 £46,480
Avg. savings
£4,595 off RRP*
Pros
  • Comfortable
  • PHEV efficiency
  • Good boot space
Cons
  • Some safety kit is optional
  • Petrol and diesel models lack pace
  • PHEV model more expensive to insure
Find your DS 4
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

If you’re prioritising overall efficiency and can afford the extra initial outlay, then the plug-in hybrid DS 4 E-Tense is the model to go for – particularly if you can ensure the battery is regularly topped up. The DS 4 PHEV is capable of travelling up to 38.5 miles on battery power alone, while CO2 emissions from 27g/km mean that company car drivers will benefit from a low 12 per cent Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) tax rate. Charging the battery shouldn’t prove to be too much of a chore, either, because it takes just shy of two hours to fully refresh using a typical 7kW home wallbox.

Buyers who are regularly driving longer distances may want to look towards diesel power, with the BlueHDi 130 engine returning a claimed maximum of 61.2mpg on the WLTP combined cycle. CO2 emissions (from 121g/km) aren’t as competitive as the plug-in hybrid, however.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Petrol models are around £8,000 cheaper to buy than the E-Tense plug-in hybrid versions, offering decent overall fuel economy of up to 48.6mpg with CO2 levels starting from 132g/km. When we pitted the petrol DS 4 PureTech against a Mercedes A 200, the DS managed to return 41.4mpg, while the Merc was more frugal and achieved 44.8mpg.

Insurance

Insurance ratings for the DS 4 vary depending on the trim and powertrain you go for. Petrol and diesel models sit in groups 20-21 and 22-23 respectively. The more powerful plug-in hybrid models, in groups 30-31, will be more expensive to insure.

Our Car Tax Checker tool lets you check your tax status and renewal date in seconds. Check your VED car tax now...

Depreciation

French family hatchbacks haven’t always had the best reputation for solid residual values, but the DS 4 is looking to be a much stronger bet. Thanks to its proven mechanicals, high-quality interior and plug-in hybrid technology, the DS 4 is predicted to hold onto around 50 per cent of its original showroom price after a typical ownership period of three years and 36,000 miles.

To get an accurate valuation on a specific model check out our valuation tool...

Skip advert
Advertisement

Which Is Best

Cheapest

  • Name
    1.2 HYBRID 136 Pallas 5dr e-DSC
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • RRP
    £34,400
Select car

Most Economical

  • Name
    1.6 Plug-in Hybrid 225 Pallas 5dr EAT8
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • RRP
    £41,280
Select car

Fastest

  • Name
    1.6 Plug-in Hybrid 225 Pallas 5dr EAT8
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • RRP
    £41,280
Select car
News reporter

As our news reporter, Ellis is responsible for covering everything new and exciting in the motoring world, from quirky quadricycles to luxury MPVs. He was previously the content editor for DrivingElectric and won the Newspress Automotive Journalist Rising Star award in 2022.

New & used car deals

DS DS 4

DS DS 4

RRP £32,740Avg. savings £4,595 off RRP*Used from £17,599
Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tucson

RRP £29,820Avg. savings £5,075 off RRP*Used from £14,448
KIA Sportage

KIA Sportage

RRP £28,065Avg. savings £2,233 off RRP*Used from £12,420
Nissan Qashqai

Nissan Qashqai

RRP £27,415Avg. savings £5,568 off RRP*Used from £12,295
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k
Kia PV5 Passenger - show front

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k

New entry into the electric people carrier market undercuts the VW ID. Buzz by a significant margin
News
29 Apr 2025
Car Deal of the Day: BMW’s ultimate luxury SUV at an unusually low price
BMW X7 - front

Car Deal of the Day: BMW’s ultimate luxury SUV at an unusually low price

German firm’s flagship SUV could never be called cheap but it is exceptional value at £735 a month – making it our Deal of the Day for Sunday 27 April
News
27 Apr 2025
New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645
Kia PV5 Cargo on display at Commercial Vehicle Show - front 3/4

New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645

All-new entry into the van market promises competitive pricing and comes with a range of up to 247 miles
News
30 Apr 2025