DS 3 SUV - Interior & comfort

DS is the standalone luxury brand of Citroen, rather like Lexus models being part of the wider Toyota family. To help set it apart from lesser cars, the DS 3 is well equipped even in entry-level trim, with a touchscreen and plenty of features. Smaller wheels also play dividends here, making the ride even smoother and with less tyre noise at motorway speeds.

DS 3 dashboard

The Crossback's dashboard is something of a mixed bag, because while the designers are to be applauded for its originality and style, the recurring diamond shapes inside do come at the cost of some user friendliness. For a start, the button clusters that sit between the air-vents are fiddly and difficult to see, and frustratingly, you still have to use the touchscreen interface to change the temperature of the climate control.

On a more positive note, there are lots of attractive design touches, including the use of attractive materials like leather and Alcantara suede-like fabric. Top versions even have a 'watchstrap design' for the Nappa leather seats, something you'd only have found in a far more expensive car a few decades ago.

20

Equipment

Trim levels have changed multiple times since launch, but the latest are Performance Line, Esprit de Voyage and Opera. Performance Line kicks off with 17-inch wheels, a 10.3-inch touchscreen system, a digital dial cluster, keyless start, flush-fitting door handles, automatic air conditioning and an Alcantara interior in black. 

Esprit de Voyage sits in the middle of the range, with unique 18-inch wheels, an exclusive Pebble Grey interior with Nappa leather, unique ‘Esprit de Voyage’ motifs and embroidered upholstery, aluminium-finished pedals, a central armrest, LED lights, keyless entry and start, 3D navigation and voice recognition tech on the infotainment system.

Opera is the top-spec trim, and brings niceties such as electric, heated and massaging front seats, wireless smartphone charging, a reversing camera and parking sensors, plus a suite of safety features.