DS 7 SUV - MPG, running costs & CO2

The DS 7 is a luxury SUV, but its underpinnings and engines have all been honed to serve up excellent fuel economy and low emissions. On the whole, they do this successfully, but the plug-in hybrid versions will be particularly desirable for company-car drivers.

As far as running costs go, the E-Tense 225 plug-in hybrid (PHEV) is the star of the show. Not only is it more economical but it’s faster too. A front-wheel drive hybrid with a combined 222bhp from its petrol engine and electric motor would be our pick of the range, thanks to claimed economy figure of up to 250mpg. The 297bhp version gets an extra electric motor on the rear axle without an on-paper running costs penalty, while the E-Tense 4x4 360 posts figures of up to 161mpg and 40g/km of CO2.

Thanks to a new 14.2kWh battery, the DS 7 E-Tense can, on paper, travel for up to 43 miles without using its petrol engine – however, a figure of just over 30 miles is probably more realistic. This results in official CO2 emissions from 26-40g/km, and lowers BiK liability substantially, with rates starting from 12% for the plug-in hybrid models.

As with any plug-in hybrid, it's worth noting the fuel-efficiency figure will largely depend on how often you charge the battery and how far you drive. Once the battery is depleted, you’ll probably see a fuel economy figure in the mid-30s. A full charge from a 7kW home wallbox takes under two hours, while using a three-pin 2.3kW supply takes 6.5 hours.

For diesel fans there’s the option of a 1.5-litre engine with 128bhp. The larger 2.0-litre engine with 178bhp has been discontinued. The former is the most economical of the two, returning up to 53.3mpg, while the 2.0-litre engine promised up to 48.2mpg. CO2 emissions from 139g/km put the 1.5-litre BlueHDi DS 7 in a high Benefit-in-Kind band for company-car tax.

Insurance groups

Insurance groups for the BlueHDi 130 engine range from 21 to 23, depending on trim level. Meanwhile, choosing a plug-in hybrid means the DS 7 finds itself in anything between groups 30 and 39. The Audi Q3 sits in insurance groups from 20 to 28, while the BMW X1 resides in groups 24 to 34.

Warranty

The DS 7 comes with a three-year/60,000-mile warranty, which matches Audi's, but looks a bit stingy. Rival BMW offers three years/100,000 miles, while the Kia Sorento has seven years’ cover.

Servicing

Servicing plans will be available for customers who'd prefer to pay a monthly fee for a set period, or upfront. The former is likely to be of particular appeal, as it allows owners to spread the cost of maintenance and avoid surprise bills.