DS5 DSport 2015 Review

Citroen DS 5 DSport

Australian Launch Review
Melbourne, Victoria

The DS brand has stepped out of Citroen's shadow to stand on its own in Australia, represented by the top-line DS 5 DSport. With a fresh Euro 6 emissions-compliant turbo-diesel engine and several specification updates, the upgraded DS 5 flagship offers more than $6000 worth of updates according to its maker… but it also costs $5000 more at $56,990 plus on-road costs. The DSport is joined at launch by a 60th Anniversary edition. With only 30 allocated to Australia and featuring the best of the DSport’s options list, it’s priced from $59,990.

With not a sliver of Citroen badge identification – bar the service sticker – the freshly-upgraded DS 5 presents a striking face amidst the bumper-to-bumper St Kilda Road traffic.

Heads turn, attracted by its newly-designed front-end, DS badge and scalloped side sections prominent. Subsequent time with the car elicits more than one ‘What is it?’ as the DS 5 DSport’s premium hatch-wagon look and adventurous lines bring unique appeal in a sea of same-same rivals. Even the new 18-inch alloy wheels stand out for their sleekness.

The interior is even more unique with its adventurous centre console design, cockpit-style toggle switches and patchwork leather trims.

Couple adventurous design with the on-paper prowess of the DS 5 DSport’s Euro 6 emissions-compliant 2.0-litre turbo-diesel, which generates 133kW/400Nm while sipping just 4.5L/100km on the combined cycle, and that should be it: The new DS 5 is a winner.

Rarely, though, is it that simple.

There’s no doubt the front seats are particularly comfortable and beautifully stitched, with thick head restraints adding further opulence.

The driver even gets a massage function and both front-row seats some with heating, though the seat-mounted dial doesn’t illuminate in the dark, leaving you to guess what position it’s in.

It’s a high-mounted driving position; the flat-bottomed and gorgeously-trimmed leather steering wheel allowing just enough knee room, though I find my ideal seat position makes it a stretch to the new 7.0-inch touch-screen, which is already antiquated in size.

Despite the leather-trimmed section (immediately above the key gauges) and contrasting bright metallic-look sections, the rest of the area is finished in plastic, a particularly flamboyant sweep of the stuff running along the passenger side of the centre console.

Jump into the back and that multi-sectioned moon roof, so distinctive at the front with its roof-mounted control buttons, impinges on head room.

Leg room is reasonable, however, and there are extra vents to the rear (though the dual-zone climate-control is adjustable only from the front). The rear can accommodate a couple of largish blokes, but adding a third member tightens things to the point of discomfort.

Thankfully, the 465-litre rear cargo section offers a wide, deep aperture and can easily swallow a combination of suitcases and day bags.

Given the previous Citroen-badged DS 5 diesel-auto combination made up around 90 per cent of sales, the move to streamline to one spec (with six-speed auto) makes sense.

Starting the BlueHDi power unit brings a gruff diesel note -- a commonplace sound in diesels of even recent past, but more prominent in the cabin than current German benchmarks.

Its headline figures swell 13kW and a significant 60Nm over its predecessor. Significantly, claimed combined-cycle fuel use reduces from 6.1 to only 4.5L/100km.

Visibility, thanks to additional glass forward of the traditional A-pillar combining with that relatively high-set driving position, is good all-round, and the reversing camera makes up in clarity what it lacks in size and function against the medium-sized opposition.

As an aside, the DS 5 remains in the ‘medium under $60K’ category with the likes of Toyota’s Camry, the Mazda6 and Ford Mondeo. Audi's A4, the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class sit in the $60K-plus category, though undoubtedly the DS 5’s aim is slanted at premium Euros.

Select reverse by pulling the lever across then down the gate and the electronic park brake eases off automatically as the throttle is touched, should you forget to pull the lever yourself.

Reversing complete, slotting drive and accelerating brings strong, low-end response of the type that can overwhelm the front Michelins should you find a slippery surface or some lead in your right shoe.

Another glimpse at the spec sheet suggests a 2000rpm peak torque speed, and only 3750rpm for power, the latter in particular quite low for a modern diesel.

The gruff induction sound continues under load, though once up to speed the sleek design and light throttle equate to quite a serene higher-speed cabin experience.

The serenity is aided by new touches such as the blind spot monitor and head-up display fitted as standard, leaving the driver to enjoy the six-speaker audio with DAB+ and Bluetooth streaming capability from those comfortable seats.

Through a couple of days’ mixed use including peak-hour city driving, a couple of short-distance runs and significant freeway kilometres, the DS 5 returned a disappointing 7.0L/100km figure.

Fitting its DSport model designation, the DS 5 offers a firm initial response to bumps but enough damping sophistication to tackle some mid-corner corrugations on my regular test route without the chassis moving laterally, a feat not many can claim on this stretch of Mornington Peninsula road.

Reapplying throttle can confuse the front-end, though, pushing the nose a little wide with some torque steer as peak torque hits home. On the flip-side, braking performance is strong, though interestingly the pedal is quite soft in its initial response, asking for more pressure than rivals require.

Overall, the DS 5 is a brave attempt at offering some French flair at a price competitive against its stated premium rivals. With stand-out exterior design, a strong if noisy engine and some flashes of interior brilliance to balance out some curiosities, the DS 5 retains some alternative appeal.

2015 DS 5 DSport pricing and specifications:
Price: $56,990 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 133kW/400Nm
Transmission: Six-speed auto
Fuel: 4.5L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 118g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star ANCAP (per previous model)

What we liked:
>> Comfortable front seating
>> Strong diesel engine
>> Distinctive looks

Not so much:
>> Cramped rear headroom
>> Chatty diesel under load
>> Plastic-rich cabin

Also consider:
Audi A4 (from $55,500)
BMW 3 Series (from $53, 800)
Mercedes-Benz C-Class (from $60,900)