DS No4 E-Tense review: French premium brand is shooting for the stars

The DS No4 gets a new name, new looks and an electric powertrain as it bids to carve out a niche among premium hatchbacks

The DS No4 has been around for a while. Five years, in fact. And in all that time it’s never been available as an EV.

But for 2026 that has changed. Alongside a plug-in hybrid version, DS has launched a fully-electric DS No4 E-Tense as it looks to marry its premium ambitions with the most refined motive power.

And the new DS No4 isn’t just about a new powertrain. The entire car has been thoroughly overhauled as it looks to make its mark. Obvious rivals in the premium hatchback segment include the BMW 1 Series, Audi A3 and Mercedes A-Class, but you can’t have a fully electric version of any of those (yet).

So instead, the DS No4’s electric rivals include the soon-to-be-updated Cupra Born and more mainstream models such as the VW ID 3, Kia EV4 and Renault Megane, as well as the related Peugeot E-308.

Design, interior and technology

Adding an electric powertrain means the DS No4 doesn’t need the huge chrome grille of the old car. Instead, this has been replaced with slimmer design with upright slats divided by a full-width light bar and illuminated DS badge. This and the new slimmer vertical running lights are inspired by the DS E-Tense concept car and the larger DS No8 and bring a slightly more sophisticated look.

DS says it put the No4 on a “chrome detox”, replacing most trim elements with a satin black finish for a “more aggressive” look. It’s not as sporty or aggressive as the updated Born, but fits with DS’s ambition for an elegant presence, especially in tandem with the optional two-tone “floating” roof and gently tapered back end.

Inside there are clear efforts to make the DS standout among rivals, which bring mixed results.

There are unique touches such as the concave Alcantara-clad dashboard with a chrome-coloured slash across its centre. These are far bolder than most C-segment hatchbacks. However, there is a lot of switchgear shared with other Stellantis cars. Steering wheel controls, stalks and the drive selector are all the same as you’d find in a Peugeot or Citroen, which diminishes the DS’s premium efforts.

That’s not to say its bad quality – most elements feel robust – just not special in the way DS wants you to feel. Where there are unique touches, such as the window controls, start/stop button and dashboard buttons, these have an appealing knurled metal look but very obviously plastic feel.

At 4.4m long, the DS No4 isn’t a small car but the cabin feels oddly cramped. With a tall driver in the seat, there’s absolutely no rear legroom, and a transmission hump in the middle of the floor limits its use as a five-seater. Even with average sized passengers, the DS feels smaller than a Born or EV4.

On the technology front, the No4 features a 10.25-inch digital driver display that in Performance Line and Etoile grades is enhanced with a full head-up display. Beside that is a 10-inch infotainment screen with sat nav and wireless phone mirroring. Unfortunately, it feels a generation out of date. It’s slow, cluttered and overly complicated and it’s a shame the No4 couldn’t benefit from the neater, faster system present in the No8.

Battery, motor and driving

Under its posher skin, the DS No4 is built on the familiar EMP2 platform used by Peugeot, Vauxhall, Citroen and Fiat, and benefits from the latest updates to this setup.

That means a 211bhp motor driving the front wheels and drawing its energy from a 58.3kWh battery. Range is quoted at up to 279 miles, while the 0-62mph run takes just under eight seconds.

That’s pretty much on par with entry-level versions of rivals, but cars such as the Kia and Cupra also offer versions with more power, bigger batteries and longer ranges.

On the road, though, the DS No4 doesn’t feel underpowered or inefficient. Its 211bhp and 254lb ft deliver decent shove and sport mode brings a pleasingly lively feel to the throttle response.

Sport also adds some artificial weight to the steering and although this is no sports car, you can hustle the DS No4 along with surprising confidence. Body roll is kept in check by suspension that’s on the firmer side of things. That means this isn’t as supple as you might expect from a brand that’s all about elegance and luxury, but it isn’t problematic.

DS quotes official energy efficiency of between 3.5 and 4.3m/kW depending on trim level and wheel size. On my, admittedly sympathetic, test route and 19-inch wheels I got that up to 4.5m/kWh, which is pretty decent. The biggest drawback here is DC charging that’s limited to 120kW.

Price and specification

DS sees the No4 as a premium product and has priced it accordingly. The three-grade line-up starts at £36,995 for the Pallas and ends at £41,860 for the Etoile.

Cleverly, the entry and top prices fall within the Electric Car Grant window, which means every version qualifies for a £1,500 government discount (at time of writing).

For your £37k, Pallas brings 19-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, front and rear parking sensors with reversing camera, two-zone climate control and adaptive cruise control. The digital instruments, touchscreen and wireless Apple and Android support are also standard.

Pallas+ adds a heat pump, keyless entry, wireless phone charging and native sat nav. In addition there’s a paid-for Comfort pack that brings tinted acoustic rear glass and heated powered front seats.

Mid-spec Performance Line still doesn’t get heated seats but does get the acoustic tinted glass, and brings a head-up display, Alcantara upholstery and additional driver assistance including blind spot detection, which really should be standard these days.

Above that, the Etoile trim gets adaptive headlights and an electrically adjustable driver’s seat. Heated seats are still only part of a paid-for options pack, along with a heated steering wheel, massage function, Focal 14-speaker stereo and a 360-degree parking camera.

Oddly, the DS No4 E-Tense isn’t offered with the Nappa leather upholstery available on hybrid models, so you’re stuck with Alcantara and canvas.

Verdict

In isolation, the DS No4 is a quirky alternative choice that blends a decent driving experience with unique styling and a badge rarity that some buyers will find appealing.

If you perceive it as a premium car, it doesn’t have a direct rival from the Germans or the likes of Lexus, Volvo or Genesis.

However, in a broader electric hatchback context, there are alternatives that offer more power, more range and more equipment for the same or less money, denting the No4’s appeal.

DS No4 E-Tense Etoile

• Price: £41,860 (£43,255 as tested before ECG)
• Powertrain: Single-motor, front-wheel-drive
• Battery: 58.3kWh
• Power: 211bhp
• Torque: 254lb ft
• Top speed: 99mph
• 0-62mph: 7.1 seconds
• Range: 279 miles
• Consumption: 3.5-4.3m/kWh
• Charging: up to 120kW

Also consider

• Cupra Born – Similar premium pretensions as DS but with a sportier edge and more advanced powertrains
• Kia EV4 – Definitely less flashy, but bigger, better equipped and with up to 380 miles of range for the same money
• Volvo EX40 – It’s an SUV and it starts at £42k but if you really want that premium look and feel, plus 350 miles of range it’s an interesting alternative