Since its split from Citroen, the newly established DS brand is gunning for a different type of customer. Citroen will go after the everyday, value-focused market, while DS now caters for those after a little more luxury - and this, the DS 4 Crossback, plays a big part in the upmarket brand's future strategy.
As crossover sales are still booming, the DS 4 hatch has been given a sharp makeover to create the Crossback. Entering this territory means it has to face some very strong competition.
Earlier this year, the newly updated Audi Q3 took on the popular Range Rover Evoque, and won, so the Crossback has a fight on its hands against even this entry-level Q3 2.0 TDI SE model.
The Volvo V40 Cross Country shares the DS 4's recipe, and with practicality and efficiency to rival the competition, also stakes a good claim for victory in this middle-ground crossover battle.
Head to head
Crossover battle
Although the DS and Volvo both boast raised ride heights and extra body protection, the Q3 is the car that conforms closest to the crossover template.
However, the Crossback and Cross Country both do enough to justify the term 'crossover', bringing something extra to the table over the standard five-doors on which they're based.
Off-road ability
If you intend to hit even some light trails in these test cars, you might want to think twice. The DS doesn't offer four-wheel drive, and the set-up's available only on the top-spec turbo petrol Volvo.
Audi's quattro four-wheel drive is available with all engines except the 1.4 TFSI.
Missed chance
DS had a real opportunity to improve on the old DS 4 with this new model, by addressing annoying quirks such as the fixed rear windows. In a family five-door, this hurts usability and could be the deciding factor for many buyers.
Verdict
First place: Audi Q3
The Q3 is a proper crossover the delivers quality, performance and style, even in entry-level SE guise, so it takes victory once more. Those qualities might come at a price compared to its rivals, but we think it's worth it. While the Audi is compact, the cabin is the most spacious here, blending practicality with an impressive driving experience, and relatively low running costs.
Second place: Volvo V40 Cross Country
The V40 is starting to show its age when it comes to interior design, but the V40 Cross Country's blend of safety, low CO2 emissions and effortless driving is still attractive. The composed ride and solid handling deliver lots of security, while it's versatile enough if you'll be carrying passengers and luggage. The design additions over the standard V40 set it apart just enough, too.
Third place: DS 4 Crossback
It's certainly stylish, but the DS 4 Crossback doesn't have the substance to match its looks. It might be cheaper than its rivals, but the smaller engine doesn't offer performance to match the Q3 or V40, while it's no more economical, either. Family crossovers also have to be practical, and the cramped interior, plus those annoying rear windows, are too big an issue to overlook.
Other options for similar money...
New: Infiniti Q30 SE 1.5d
The Q30 sits slightly higher than a regular hatchback, but it still isn't a fully fledged crossover, like the Crossback. Infiniti is due to launch a proper QX30 crossover version later this year, which will be UK-built, like the Q30.
Used: Mercedes GLA 200d Sport
A similar budget will stretch to a used Mercedes GLA 200d in entry-level Sport trim. It should have low mileage for this price, plus it has a proper prestige badge and more power than the DS 4. A 481-litre boot gives the GLA a practical edge, too.
Figures
| Audi Q3 2.0 TDI SE | Volvo V40 Cross Country D2 SE Nav | DS 4 Crossback BlueHDi 120 | |
| On the road price/total as tested | £27,190/£30,430 | £24,770/£29,595 | £23,495/£24,545 |
| Residual value (after 3yrs/36,000) | £13,761/50.6% | £10,550/42.6% | £9,224/39.3% |
| Depreciation | £13,429 | £14,220 | £14,271 |
| Annual tax liability std/higher rate | £1,140/£2,279 | £840/£1,681 | £844/£1,688 |
| Annual fuel cost (12k/20k miles) | £1,320/£2,201 | £1,353/£2,255 | £1,306/£2,177 |
| Ins. group/quote/road tax band/cost | 21/£658/C/£30 | 17/£598/A/£0 | 24/£606/B/£20 |
| Cost of 1st/2nd/3rd service | £293 (3yrs) | £222/£222/£336 | £115/£195/£115 |
| Length/wheelbase | 4,388/2,603mm | 4,370/2,646mm | 4,284/2,612mm |
| Height/width | 1,590/1,831mm | 1,458/1,857mm | 1,535/1,810mm |
| Engine | 4cyl in-line/1,968cc | 4cyl in-line/1,969cc | 4cyl in-line/1,560cc |
| Peak power/revs | 148/3,500 bhp/rpm | 118/3,750 bhp/rpm | 118/3,500 bhp/rpm |
| Peak torque/revs | 340/1,750 Nm/rpm | 280/1,500 Nm/rpm | 300/1,750 Nm/rpm |
| Transmission | 6-spd man/fwd | 6-spd man/fwd | 6-spd man/fwd |
| Fuel tank capacity/spare wheel | 64 litres/space saver | 62 litres/repair kit | 60 litres/repair kit |
| Boot capacity (seats up/down) | 420/1,325 litres | 324/1,021 litres | 385/1,021 litres |
| Kerbweight/payload/towing weight | 1,485/600/1,800kg | 1,434/546/1,500kg | 1,290/570/1,550kg |
| Turning circle/drag coefficient | 11.8 metres/N/A | 10.9 metres/0.32Cd | 10.7 metres/N/A |
| Basic warranty (miles)/recovery | 3yrs (60,000)/3yrs | 3yrs (60,000)/3yrs | 3yrs (60,000)/3yrs |
| Service intervals/UK dealers | Variable/121 | 18,000 miles(1yr)/109 | 20,000 miles (1yr)/196 |
| Driver Power manufacturer/dealer pos. | 13th/15th | 17th/22nd | 20th/9th (Citroen) |
| Euro NCAP: Adult/child/ped./assist/stars | 94/85/52/86/5 | 98/75/88/100/5 | 90/80/43/97/5 |
| 0-60/30-70mph | 9.3/8.8 secs | 10.4/10.5 secs | 11.2/10.7 secs |
| 30-50mph in 3rd/4th | 3.7/6.2 secs | 4.0/6.0 secs | 4.3/8.3 secs |
| 50-70mph in 5th/6th | 8.2/12.3 secs | 9.4/12.5 secs | 9.3/15.1 secs |
| Top speed/rpm at 70mph | 126mph/1,900rpm | 118mph/1,900rpm | 117mph/1,750rpm |
| Braking 70-0/60-0/30-0mph | 61.9/37.7/10.1m | 54.2/35.3/13.1m | 54.3/31.8/11.4m |
| Noise outside/idle/30/70mph | 76/55/62/69dB | 74/54/70/71dB | 74/54/67/71dB |
| Auto Express econ (mpg/mpl)/range | 45.2/9.9/636 miles | 44.1/9.7/601 miles | 45.7/10.0/603 miles |
| Govt urban/extra-urban/combined | 55.4/68.9/62.8mpg | 67.3/83.1/76.4mpg | 62.8/78.5/72.4mpg |
| Govt urban/extra-urban/combined | 12.2/15.2/13.8mpl | 14.8/18.3/16.8mpl | 13.8/17.3/15.9mpl |
| Actual/claimed CO2/tax bracket | 167/117g/km/21% | 172/96g/km/17% | 166/103g/km/18% |
| Airbags/Isofix/parking sensors/camera | Six/yes/yes/£650 | Eight/yes/£325/£375 | Six/yes/yes/yes |
| Auto box/stability/cruise control/AEB | No/yes/£225/no | £1,485/yes/yes/yes | £1,200/yes/no |
| Climate control/leather/heated seats | Yes/£1,150/£295 | Yes/£900/£500* | Yes/£850**/£850** |
| Metallic paint/xenon lights/keyless go | £550/yes/£425 | £550/£1,350/£550 | £520/yes/yes |
| Sat-nav/USB/DAB radio/Bluetooth | £495/yes/yes/yes | Yes/yes/yes/yes | Yes/yes/yes/yes |
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