DS presented the new DS3 Crossback at the Paris Motor Show. The SUB-compact city SUV is the second SUV debut for the premium brand under the PSA Group and it took the path of competing with other small city crossovers. Without a direct premium competitor in its segment (save for the Audi Q2), the DS3 Crossback represent an interesting attempt by the French to excite buyers into this class. In essence, this car succeeded the DS3 small city car, but brings numerous novelties demonstrating DS ideology of creating exciting, different, and unique cars.

The Looks

Instead, it uses unique touches designed to complement with the previous DS cars. Fin-shaped rear doors are only one such instance. No other car I can think of has such a radical differentiation between the front and the rear doors. It is actually a bit hard on eyes. Then again, the DS3 Crossback has to entice buyers with something if not its size.

I am sure you are curious now just how big it is. Well, dwell no more:

It measures only 4,118 mm in length. That’s like an old Golf.

Although rather small, the DS3 Crossback moves with a lot of style. Massive front grille, thin lights all around and rather small windows create an aggressive stance only partially corrupted by the strange shapes of the lights, doors, or the bonnet. Somehow, the DS3 Crossback feels less of an aggressive and dominating brute, but more of a dignified and calm SUV. It looks quite dashing under the Paris Motor Show spotlights, but also it tries to hide Compact Modular Platform origins with all this makeup. There's nothing wrong with that, mind you. Everyone does it.

What's Inside?

The French really overkilled with diamond shapes, diamond stitchings, and diamond buttons. I can get behind the fact that they are building a brand and need something unique and sophisticated. This really is, but c'mon, let’s be realistic here. On the other hand, if they did do it, I am afraid, no one would take the DS3 Crossback as a serious French car. Now, it has French written all over. And while I may be the one to appreciate a bit more classical look, the thing is that classic is for the Germans really. And they do it so well.

As for the normal stuff inside, you can expect a double digital display, 515-watt Focal hifi, and a head-up display. Quite cool. Especially with all the leather and neat decorations inside. I am sure that those who appreciate the extravagance of design will enjoy the DS3 Crossback immensely.

What Powers It?

As expected, the small DS3 Crossback will come with a 1.2-liter turbocharged motor good for 130 horsepower. We already know about it from the other PSA cars. I’ve driven a car with it and you know what? It’s incredible! You can’t actually believe what a turbocharged 1.2-liters can do in a car such as, say a Peugeot 308. This being similarly chubby as the 308, I can only imagine that it will motivate it well. With that said, the old DS3 had a 1.6-liter turbocharged motor with 155 horsepower. This one has it too. And regardless of the greatness of the 1.2-liter, the 1.6-liter with 155 horsepower is the one to go for if you want to keep up with Audi. And you want to do that.

Then, there will be a Citroen DS3 Crossback E-Tense. It is not yet revealed, but the thing has a 136 horsepower electric motor and 50 kWh battery, apparently good for 186 miles of range. And the recharging system will work with a 100 kW charger charging 80 percent of capacity in half hour. The range doesn’t exactly sound good, but, according to TopGear, DS engineers promised to improve on it.

Apart from petrol and electric, the DS3 Crossback will be available with a 1.5-liter diesel as well. With 98 horsepower, so it’s not actually exciting news.

Conclusion

The company will reveal at least five more cars in the next four years thus creating a range of unique premium vehicles targeting Audi customers. The DS actually may be the first successful premium brand by the French. If it continues in the same pace and keeps earning money as it does now, the PSA Group may finally crack the premium code. The DS3 Crossback is a nice addition to the arsenal. If only they started thinking about the performance.

Further Reading

Read our full review on the 2010 Citroen DS3-R.

Read our full review on the 2013 Citroen DS3 Cabrio.