How much space is there?

The DS 7 Crossback is a practical family car, and if you take it at face value as a premium choice in the market, it’s roomy for the cost, compared with rivals such as the Audi Q3 and BMW X1.

The size of the DS 7 Crossback is larger than average for the premium crossover class. It’s larger than the Audi Q3 but it’s on a par with the likes of the Volvo XC60, which costs more money.

Is it easy to park?

It doesn’t feel too big to manage on the road, though, and when it comes to parking in a tight spot, plenty of assistance systems such as parking sensors and cameras help to provide a clearer picture of what’s going on around you.

Boot space and storage

The DS 7 offers up one of the largest boots in its class. With the rear seats in place and the adjustable boot floor in its lowest position, a huge 555 litres of space is available. It’s easy to tumble the seats down, increasing capacity to 1,752 litres.

Inside, you’ll enjoy huge storage between the seats, thanks to a massive lidded cubby, while there are a pair of cupholders positioned in front of this, plus usefully sized door bins. The glovebox is on the small side, however.

Safety

The DS 7 Crossback scored a maximum rating of five stars when crash tested by Euro NCAP in 2017. There is a raft of safety kit available including everything from lane keep assist to automatic emergency braking.

Most models feature active LED headlamps, which prevent drivers from dazzling oncoming traffic by switching between main and dipped beam automatically. Blind spot assistance, which keeps the car in its lane on multi-lane roads, driver attention assist – which gauges whether the driver is remaining alert – are also available.

Optional Grip Control offers greater safety for winter driving and dealing with muddy or cold and wet terrain. This traction control system helps to maximise the grip the car has, with different settings ensuring the greatest chance of keeping moving on the respective terrain. No four-wheel drive option until the hybrid model arrives in mid-2019.

Watch: Euro NCAP crash test video