Inside the DS 7 CROSSBACK
Both front doors feel solid on opening and closing. As you’d expect, there is a keyless entry with a smart Start/Stop button – located on top of the Claudia and Nappa leather dashboard. I felt cocooned in the luxurious black basalt grained leather adjustable seats, which came with comfortable headrests. The front seats are heated in the DS 7 CROSSBACK, which is a bonus in this crazy June (er, winter) weather and there’s also a range of massage options, all displayed and operated via the touchscreen.
I recommend using Cat Paw on high for an excellent back massage. The leather continues on the steering wheel (albeit I felt it could do with a little more padding here) and on the gear lever.
The Art Deco diamond DS theme is a feature of the rectangular B.R.M. R180 clock located above the Stop/Start button. Starting the engine prompts the rotating timepiece to emerge from its holding. I used the GPS a great deal when driving, so the DS 7 CROSSBACK’s 12-inch infotainment touchscreen and 12.3-inch customisable digital instrument display was very welcome. The black fascia looks smart with well-positioned air vents and an efficient aircon system. All controls for the windows are located in the centre console – as per the DS 3 CROSSBACK.
If like me, you appreciate liquid refreshment en route, you’ll appreciate the generous two-cup holders, as well as the air-conditioned huge central cubby hole within the armrest, which is ideal for phones and other kit.
The door bins are also a decent size for storage and there’s wireless charging for smartphones as well as two USB ports inside the front closed storage area in front of the gear lever. You can also interact with your DS 7 CROSSBACK before, during or after driving via the dedicated MyDS app for iPhone and Android, that will log journeys, where the car is located, services available and many other features, including Club Privilege benefits of ownership (and it’s a free service).