• Interior space is compromised
• Some thoughtful touches
• Boot is smaller in PHEV

How much space is there?

Like so many aspects of the DS 4, its interior space is something of a mixed bag. There’s loads of leg, shoulder and headroom in the front seats, even with the sunroof fitted to some models. The relatively high centre console between the front seats reduces the feeling of space somewhat, but none of our testers have had any complaints.

It’s a different story in the back, though. I only just fit behind my own driving position, and I’m only five-foot-ten. The car’s sloping roofline restricts headroom, too, as does the sunroof. Add in small, privacy tinted back windows and it feels rather claustrophobic in the back.

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Adults should be comfortable enough for short journeys, but the DS 4 simply isn’t as family friendly as rivals such as the Ford Focus and Skoda Octavia. Really, it’s better suited to couples who only occasionally need a back seat.

Boot space and storage

How much boot space the DS 4 has depends on which model you go for. The plug-in hybrid (PHEV) has 390 litres of capacity – the same as a petrol VW Golf – and every other model has 430 litres. That’s more than you get in a BMW 1 Series, Audi A3 and Mercedes A-Class.

The boot isn’t very long from front to back, but it is deep in non-PHEV models. It’s a neatly rectangular shape, as well. That means you can pack in a lot more stuff than you might expect at first glance. However, the boot opening is quite a long way off the ground; combined with the boot’s depth, loading in heavy items can be an effort.

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The back seats fold down in a 60:40 split, creating 1,240 litres of carrying capacity. But the folded seats leave such a huge step that it’s very difficult to balance a load between the boot and seat areas. Really, you’ve got two separate load areas without a barrier between them.

There’s a useful amount of interior storage. The door bins and glovebox are large, there’s a deep cubby beneath the front armrest plus cupholders and a tray under a lid in the centre console. There’s also a deep recess in front of the armrest where I keep the key. In the back, there are door bins and an armrest so flimsy the cupholders in it are useless.

Is it easy to park?

Yes, it is. The steering’s light, the door mirrors provide a good view behind, the parking sensors and wide-angle reversing camera fitted to all models make up for the small rear windscreen. Top-grade Etoile models also have a front-mounted manoeuvring camera and a brilliant 360-degree surround-view system. I have to do a very tricky parallel at home and it’s easier in the DS 4 than any other car I’ve driven.

Safety

• Four-star Euro NCAP safety rating
• But five stars with optional safety pack
• Particularly high score for child occupant protection

Car safety experts Euro NCAP gave the DS 4 four-star rating when it was assessed in 2022. It scored a commendable 85% for adult occupant protection and a particularly good 86% for child occupant protection. However, it was held back by a score of 65% for its driver assistance systems. However, the optional package of assistance features bumps that rating up to 85%, enough to secure a five-star rating.

Buy a DS 4 now and safety features you get as standard include autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, driver attention alert, speed limited warning and lane departure warning. In my experience, they can be a bit hyperactive in giving warnings, but the interventions aren’t intrusive.