DS 4 E-Tense

Overview

The 2025 DS 4 E-Tense marks the brand's bold step into the premium electric hatchback segment, blending avant-garde French design with a new, more potent all-electric powertrain. Positioned as a stylish alternative to its German rivals, it champions comfort and a truly unique cabin experience. This new version ditches the old PHEV-based setup for a dedicated EV platform, making it a proper contender. With a starting price around €45,900 in Europe, it’s aimed squarely at drivers who value distinctive styling and a refined, quiet drive over outright sporty performance.

What's New for 2025?

The biggest news for 2025 is that the DS 4 E-Tense is now a fully-fledged Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV). It ditches the previous plug-in hybrid setup for a brand new, all-electric heart borrowed from its Stellantis cousins. This massive update brings a larger battery, a punchier 157 kW motor, and significantly more electric range, finally making it a true competitor in the premium EV space. This isn't just a minor facelift; it's a complete powertrain transplant that transforms the car's character and capabilities for the European market.

Design & Exterior

The DS 4 E-Tense is a proper head-turner, mixing hatchback proportions with a dash of crossover attitude. Its design is all about sharp creases, complex surfaces, and that signature DS flair. Up front, the intricate matrix LED headlights and 'DS Wings' grille create an imposing face, while flush door handles keep the side profile sleek. It measures 4400 mm long, 1866 mm wide, and 1470 mm tall, giving it a planted, substantial stance on the road. It’s a piece of automotive sculpture that stands out in a car park full of lookalikes.

Interior, Tech & Cargo

Step inside, and the DS 4 E-Tense wows with its 'haute couture' cabin. The design is lavish, featuring high-quality materials and unique diamond-pattern details on the switchgear. It's a genuinely premium and comfortable space for five occupants. The dash is dominated by the crisp DS IRIS infotainment system, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. For practicality, you get a decent 390-litre boot, which expands to a useful 1260 litres with the rear seats folded down. However, there's no frunk for stashing charging cables.

Performance & Driving Experience

With its new 157 kW Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor sending 345 Nm of torque to the front wheels, the DS 4 E-Tense feels surprisingly brisk. It'll get you from 0 to 100 km/h in a respectable 7.1 seconds, with instant EV punch for city driving. The experience is geared towards serene comfort rather than B-road bashing; the ride is supple and isolates you from bumps beautifully. Top speed is capped at 160 km/h. Adjustable regenerative braking modes let you tailor the drive, with the strongest setting allowing for almost one-pedal driving.

Range, Battery & Charging

The DS 4 E-Tense is powered by a 58.3 kWh usable battery pack. According to Green Cars Compare's calculations, this delivers a practical real-world range of around 392 km on a full charge, with an excellent efficiency of 6.72 km/kWh. For charging, the standard 11 kW AC on-board charger will top up the battery overnight in about six hours. When you’re on the move, it can handle DC fast charging at up to 120 kW via its CCS Type 2 port, zapping the battery from 10-80% in roughly 30 minutes.

Safety & Driver-Assistance Features

While the electric-specific model awaits its own test, the standard DS 4 achieved a solid four-star Euro NCAP rating, which bumps up to a full five stars when equipped with the optional safety pack. Standard kit includes essentials like autonomous emergency braking and lane keep assist. For a more relaxed drive, the optional DS DRIVE ASSIST 2.0 package adds advanced semi-autonomous capabilities, including adaptive cruise control with lane positioning and even semi-automatic lane changes, making long motorway journeys an absolute breeze.

Warranty & Maintenance Coverage

DS provides solid peace of mind for E-Tense owners. The vehicle itself is covered by a comprehensive warranty, typically for 2 years with unlimited mileage across Europe. Critically, the high-voltage battery pack comes with an 8-year or 160,000 km warranty, guaranteeing it will retain at least 70% of its original capacity during that period. As it’s a full EV, maintenance schedules are simpler and less frequent than for a petrol or diesel car, focusing on items like brakes, tyres, and cabin filters, which translates to lower running costs over time.