All-New DS 4 Debuts With Striking Looks, And An Interior That Demands Your Attention

DS Automobiles has revealed the new 2020 DS 4, a premium hatchback that will come in two flavors, targeting the likes of the Audi A3 and the Mercedes A-Class, as well as a few crossovers like the Mercedes GLA and the Lexus UX.

The all-new DS 4 is based on the also new EMP2 platform, featuring a striking exterior design with pretty nice proportions inspired by the company’s Aero Sport Lounge concept.

“DS 4 was conceived to redefine the outline of the Premium C segment,” said Marion David, Product Director at DS Automobiles. “It’s aimed at customers attracted by two body shapes: the new aspirational Coupé-SUV and the traditional compact hatchback. At every stage of its design, the idea of appealing to these two segments drove our decisions.”

The DS 4 features the company’s new DS Matrix LED Vision headlights, which are said to combine matrix and directional lighting, complemented by two S-shaped rows of LEDs on each side acting as daytime running lights. The doors come with flush-fitting handles while the rear is highlighted by the longer and lower roofline and the muscular rear fenders.

The French premium brand of the newly launched Stellantis decided to offer the new DS 4 with a range of tech features usually found on more expensive models. These include things like the Active Scan suspension, which uses a camera to read the road ahead and adjust the suspension accordingly, a large head-up display that appears four meters ahead of the windscreen thanks to its trick technology, and a Level 2 driving assistance system.

The interior of the 2020 DS 4 looks special and different, as expected from a new DS model. There’s a new infotainment system that operates through a 10-inch touchscreen display with a new interface and the ability to be controlled by both voice and gestures. The central air vents are “invisible”, as they are nicely integrated with the climate controls, while the window switches are mounted inside the door trim for an uncluttered appearance.

Customers will get to choose between Nappa leather, and Alcantara upholsteries for the high-density foam seats, as well as brown ash wood trim, forged carbon, exposed stitching, and the list goes on. If you ever wanted to see how it feels to sit inside an expensive purse, the new DS 4 looks like a good place to do it.

The engine range will include a new plug-in hybrid powertrain, as well as regular petrol and diesel units. The plug-in hybrid DS 4 E-Tense model pairs a 178 HP 1.6-liter petrol engine with a 108 HP electric motor and a 12.4 kWh lithium-ion battery pack for a combined output of 222 HP (225 PS). DS claims an EV range of more than 30 miles on the WLTP cycle.

The range is completed with the petrol PureTech models offering 128 HP (130 PS), 177 HP (180 PS), and 222 HP (225 PS) respectively, and the diesel BlueHDi with 128 HP (130 HP). All variants of the new 2020 DS 4 are paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The new DS4 will be offered both in base and Cross body styles, the latter aiming to steal customers away from soft-roaders like the Mercedes GLA and the BMW X2. The DS4 Cross however will not offer an increased ride height as you might expect, as it’s limited to some matt black trim on the body and the addition of roof rails, as well as a trick traction control system with specific modes, depending on how slippery the conditions are.

The 2020 DS 4 will go on sale across Europe during the fourth quarter of 2021.