Citroën DS4 hatchback (2011-2018) - Interior & comfort

With raised suspension, the DS 4 gives its driver a better view of the road than a standard hatchback and it feels luxurious thanks to the panoramic windscreen that sweeps above the driver's head. It pays a price for its sporty looks, though, because the rear screen pillar is huge, resulting in poor over-the-shoulder visibility.

The stiff suspension setup that DS has given this hatchback means the car isn't as comfortable to travel in as the standard C4 and it can get quite bouncy at times. The DS 4's diesel engines aren't the smoothest either, while the petrol engines sound sporty, but are also a little too noisy at motorway speeds. The engine noise teams up with noticeable wind noise to ensure that cars such as the Volkswagen Golf are quieter motorway cruisers.

DS 4 dashboard

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The DS 4's dashboard has been lifted straight from the Citroen C4, but it's been given added style thanks to a strip of LED lights running along the bottom of the windscreen and instruments that can be lit in a range of colours. There's also a range of classy trim finishes. The overall quality of the interior isn't a match for the Volkswagen Golf's, while the fiddly controls for the stereo – not to mention the numerous buttons on the steering wheel – mean some of the car's systems could be simpler to operate, although you do get used to the wide array of buttons after a while.

Equipment

The DS 4 features a decent amount of standard equipment, but that's to be expected on a car that costs just over £20,000. Entry-level DS 4 Elegance models come with 17-inch alloy wheels, LED daytime running lights, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, cruise control, electric front windows, air-conditioning and hill-start assist, plus electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors.

You'll pay around £2,000 extra to upgrade to a DS 4 Prestige, but we'd recommend you spend the extra cash, because that model's sports seats and brushed aluminium trim give the interior a more upmarket feel, while keyless entry and a reversing camera make it easier to live with on a day-to-day basis. On the outside, the Prestige gets bigger 18-inch alloy wheels and extra chrome detailing. DS Performance Line trim adds even more aesthetic details, including a black roof, gloss-black alloy wheels and some unique paint options.

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Options

The options list for the DS 4 is well priced, but exactly what you can choose depends on the model. So, while both models can be specified with a premium Denon stereo (£450), quilted leather seats are only an (£850) option on the Prestige.