Much like its Peugeot 3008, Vauxhall Grandland and Jeep Compass cousins, the N°7 is natively front-driven, bucking the general trend of its premium rivals, although the top E-Tense variant offers dual motors for four-wheel drive. The EVs ascend through FWD 230hp, FWD 245hp and AWD 350hp versions, the first of those using a 73.7kWh (usable) battery for a 337-mile range, the last two a much larger 97.2kWh pack to claim 460 and 422 miles respectively.
The entry-level Hybrid uses an updated Puretech 1.2-litre turbo triple with the promise of greater reliability. Paired with a 28bhp electric motor built into its six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, it supposedly can cover half of its urban mileage with the petrol engine extinguished.
Its design traces back neatly to 2020’s DS Aero Sport Lounge concept and is closely related to the recently introduced N°8 flagship.
For all the latter’s more saloon-like styling, their rooflines look very similar. Vertical front LED strips link back to the seminal Citroën DS3 of 2010, while a similar treatment of the rear lights helps contribute to the 0.26 Cd aero figure, which helps yield such promising range.
Design boss Thierry Métroz has been at DS since day one and says his cars should always be the most efficient among their various Stellantis relations – a philosophy that we will see continue with a third-generation 3 this autumn.