Citroen DS4 1.6 THP EGS (A) Review
17 Apr 2012|24,771 views
The DS badge brings back an air that is largely preoccupied with eccentricity (that is if you are old enough to remember how it looks like, otherwise, please see below). First appearing in 1955, Citroen sold close to 1.5 million copies of the original DS during its 20-year production run - just what you need to know about the popularity and why it was acclaimed as one of the Frenchmen's greatest moment.
The spirtual ancestor of the DS4 - did they see this coming?
Exterior
As with the original Citroen DS, the DS4 packs out-of-the-box unconventional styling, which in a good way has made it distinctive and recognisable at an instance. One simply cannot ignore the abundance of 'French-flair' found on the car.
As a cross-breed between a hatchback and SUV, the DS4 has been raised slightly, offering more ground clearance and enhancing its on-road presence. Up front, the centrepiece grille makes the DS4 look bigger than it actually is. Taut creases graces the rear quarters above the wheel arches, together with a curvy rear-end and a subtle integrated roof spoiler.
 |  |
Exterior
As with the original Citroen DS, the DS4 packs out-of-the-box unconventional styling, which in a good way has made it distinctive and recognisable at an instance. One simply cannot ignore the abundance of 'French-flair' found on the car.
As a cross-breed between a hatchback and SUV, the DS4 has been raised slightly, offering more ground clearance and enhancing its on-road presence. Up front, the centrepiece grille makes the DS4 look bigger than it actually is. Taut creases graces the rear quarters above the wheel arches, together with a curvy rear-end and a subtle integrated roof spoiler.
 |
Beautifuly taut crease graces the rear quarters Matching the car's funky outlook are unique-looking 18-inch alloys finished in glossy gun-metal. Up-close, the rims do look a tad puny due to the increased ride height and slightly larger wheel arch. But it's a small quibble considering that when viewed from a distance, where the smaller alloys do seem to complete the purposeful SUV-ish composition.
 |
Interior
The interior portrays no less-flair than what you see on the outside. The first to catch your eyes is most probably the chic-looking seats with chequered centre bolsters. As good as it looks, the front seats packs rhythmic massaging function - not aimed at easing the age-long aching backs, but more of a sensory delight.
No expense spared in making the DS4 style galore; Form meets function in the cabin - trendy front seats comes with massage feature
The plasticky-looking paddle shifts does look a little out-of-place, where the interior looks adequate otherwise with bits of niceties such as aluminium trims and nice-to-fiddle switches. On top of this, you also get the gorgeous looking digital dials with interchangeable colours - white, or shades blue and purple.
The interior portrays no less-flair than what you see on the outside. The first to catch your eyes is most probably the chic-looking seats with chequered centre bolsters. As good as it looks, the front seats packs rhythmic massaging function - not aimed at easing the age-long aching backs, but more of a sensory delight.
 |  |
The plasticky-looking paddle shifts does look a little out-of-place, where the interior looks adequate otherwise with bits of niceties such as aluminium trims and nice-to-fiddle switches. On top of this, you also get the gorgeous looking digital dials with interchangeable colours - white, or shades blue and purple.
With styling taking precedence, there are drawbacks for the rear occupants. Up close, one would notice the protruding side-frame that 'eats' into the size of the rear opening, which makes entering the rear quarters a somewhat bewitching experience.
Cabin experience for front and rear occupants can be somewhat contrasting - up front, passengers enjoy the sky-view from the larger-than-life windscreen. At the rear though, occupants may feel slightly catastrophic due to the smaller rear windows. The rear windows are also fixed, adding onto the impracticality of the rear quarters.
Interchangeable colours for digital dials part of the chic-magnet package
Cabin experience for front and rear occupants can be somewhat contrasting - up front, passengers enjoy the sky-view from the larger-than-life windscreen. At the rear though, occupants may feel slightly catastrophic due to the smaller rear windows. The rear windows are also fixed, adding onto the impracticality of the rear quarters.
 |  |
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The Drive
The DS4 casts shadows on many in the way its handling shines. Definitely less-clunky than how the four-spoke wheel looks, the car steers with precision, and with adequate feedback throughout the speed range. The only downside is that the taller composition does add to the body roll over corners.
The base DS4 comes with a 6-speed EGS automatic gearbox. Think of the auto-box as a clutch-less manual - one has to lift off the gas pedal at the time of shift to ensure smooth gear changes. This does take quite a bit of patience on the driver, especially when the situation calls for sprightly sprints, the gearshifts hampers the speed gain substantially. One may also find switching gears during cornering a chore with the fixed paddles, as they are hard to reach when the steering is turned at an angle.
Fork out S$7,000 more and you'll be "relieved" of the auto-box - in return a proper six-speed manual and 41 more horses to unleash with your right foot. Not that the standard 155hp is any short of expectations though, as a useful band of power is readily available.
The DS4 casts shadows on many in the way its handling shines. Definitely less-clunky than how the four-spoke wheel looks, the car steers with precision, and with adequate feedback throughout the speed range. The only downside is that the taller composition does add to the body roll over corners.
The base DS4 comes with a 6-speed EGS automatic gearbox. Think of the auto-box as a clutch-less manual - one has to lift off the gas pedal at the time of shift to ensure smooth gear changes. This does take quite a bit of patience on the driver, especially when the situation calls for sprightly sprints, the gearshifts hampers the speed gain substantially. One may also find switching gears during cornering a chore with the fixed paddles, as they are hard to reach when the steering is turned at an angle.
Fork out S$7,000 more and you'll be "relieved" of the auto-box - in return a proper six-speed manual and 41 more horses to unleash with your right foot. Not that the standard 155hp is any short of expectations though, as a useful band of power is readily available.
Conclusion
With the DS4, the people at Citroen have succeeded in replicating the same recipe used for the smaller DS3, in churning out another great looking car.
Uncanny transmission might have been the source of disappointment for those with a spirited driving-style. However, one might need to consider that the DS4 wasn't designed with the boy-racer in mind in the first place.
Despite being less honed for mechanical-excellence, the DS4 is a commendable effort from the chevron-badged carmaker. Spend time with one, and you'll realise that its competent handling makes it a chic and fun driving machine to behold.
With the DS4, the people at Citroen have succeeded in replicating the same recipe used for the smaller DS3, in churning out another great looking car.
Uncanny transmission might have been the source of disappointment for those with a spirited driving-style. However, one might need to consider that the DS4 wasn't designed with the boy-racer in mind in the first place.
Despite being less honed for mechanical-excellence, the DS4 is a commendable effort from the chevron-badged carmaker. Spend time with one, and you'll realise that its competent handling makes it a chic and fun driving machine to behold.
The DS badge brings back an air that is largely preoccupied with eccentricity (that is if you are old enough to remember how it looks like, otherwise, please see below). First appearing in 1955, Citroen sold close to 1.5 million copies of the original DS during its 20-year production run - just what you need to know about the popularity and why it was acclaimed as one of the Frenchmen's greatest moment.
The spirtual ancestor of the DS4 - did they see this coming?
Exterior
As with the original Citroen DS, the DS4 packs out-of-the-box unconventional styling, which in a good way has made it distinctive and recognisable at an instance. One simply cannot ignore the abundance of 'French-flair' found on the car.
As a cross-breed between a hatchback and SUV, the DS4 has been raised slightly, offering more ground clearance and enhancing its on-road presence. Up front, the centrepiece grille makes the DS4 look bigger than it actually is. Taut creases graces the rear quarters above the wheel arches, together with a curvy rear-end and a subtle integrated roof spoiler.
| |
Exterior
As with the original Citroen DS, the DS4 packs out-of-the-box unconventional styling, which in a good way has made it distinctive and recognisable at an instance. One simply cannot ignore the abundance of 'French-flair' found on the car.
As a cross-breed between a hatchback and SUV, the DS4 has been raised slightly, offering more ground clearance and enhancing its on-road presence. Up front, the centrepiece grille makes the DS4 look bigger than it actually is. Taut creases graces the rear quarters above the wheel arches, together with a curvy rear-end and a subtle integrated roof spoiler.
|
Beautifuly taut crease graces the rear quarters Matching the car's funky outlook are unique-looking 18-inch alloys finished in glossy gun-metal. Up-close, the rims do look a tad puny due to the increased ride height and slightly larger wheel arch. But it's a small quibble considering that when viewed from a distance, where the smaller alloys do seem to complete the purposeful SUV-ish composition.
|
Interior
The interior portrays no less-flair than what you see on the outside. The first to catch your eyes is most probably the chic-looking seats with chequered centre bolsters. As good as it looks, the front seats packs rhythmic massaging function - not aimed at easing the age-long aching backs, but more of a sensory delight.
No expense spared in making the DS4 style galore; Form meets function in the cabin - trendy front seats comes with massage feature
The plasticky-looking paddle shifts does look a little out-of-place, where the interior looks adequate otherwise with bits of niceties such as aluminium trims and nice-to-fiddle switches. On top of this, you also get the gorgeous looking digital dials with interchangeable colours - white, or shades blue and purple.
The interior portrays no less-flair than what you see on the outside. The first to catch your eyes is most probably the chic-looking seats with chequered centre bolsters. As good as it looks, the front seats packs rhythmic massaging function - not aimed at easing the age-long aching backs, but more of a sensory delight.
| |
The plasticky-looking paddle shifts does look a little out-of-place, where the interior looks adequate otherwise with bits of niceties such as aluminium trims and nice-to-fiddle switches. On top of this, you also get the gorgeous looking digital dials with interchangeable colours - white, or shades blue and purple.
With styling taking precedence, there are drawbacks for the rear occupants. Up close, one would notice the protruding side-frame that 'eats' into the size of the rear opening, which makes entering the rear quarters a somewhat bewitching experience.
Cabin experience for front and rear occupants can be somewhat contrasting - up front, passengers enjoy the sky-view from the larger-than-life windscreen. At the rear though, occupants may feel slightly catastrophic due to the smaller rear windows. The rear windows are also fixed, adding onto the impracticality of the rear quarters.
Interchangeable colours for digital dials part of the chic-magnet package
Cabin experience for front and rear occupants can be somewhat contrasting - up front, passengers enjoy the sky-view from the larger-than-life windscreen. At the rear though, occupants may feel slightly catastrophic due to the smaller rear windows. The rear windows are also fixed, adding onto the impracticality of the rear quarters.
| |
|
The Drive
The DS4 casts shadows on many in the way its handling shines. Definitely less-clunky than how the four-spoke wheel looks, the car steers with precision, and with adequate feedback throughout the speed range. The only downside is that the taller composition does add to the body roll over corners.
The base DS4 comes with a 6-speed EGS automatic gearbox. Think of the auto-box as a clutch-less manual - one has to lift off the gas pedal at the time of shift to ensure smooth gear changes. This does take quite a bit of patience on the driver, especially when the situation calls for sprightly sprints, the gearshifts hampers the speed gain substantially. One may also find switching gears during cornering a chore with the fixed paddles, as they are hard to reach when the steering is turned at an angle.
Fork out S$7,000 more and you'll be "relieved" of the auto-box - in return a proper six-speed manual and 41 more horses to unleash with your right foot. Not that the standard 155hp is any short of expectations though, as a useful band of power is readily available.
The DS4 casts shadows on many in the way its handling shines. Definitely less-clunky than how the four-spoke wheel looks, the car steers with precision, and with adequate feedback throughout the speed range. The only downside is that the taller composition does add to the body roll over corners.
The base DS4 comes with a 6-speed EGS automatic gearbox. Think of the auto-box as a clutch-less manual - one has to lift off the gas pedal at the time of shift to ensure smooth gear changes. This does take quite a bit of patience on the driver, especially when the situation calls for sprightly sprints, the gearshifts hampers the speed gain substantially. One may also find switching gears during cornering a chore with the fixed paddles, as they are hard to reach when the steering is turned at an angle.
Fork out S$7,000 more and you'll be "relieved" of the auto-box - in return a proper six-speed manual and 41 more horses to unleash with your right foot. Not that the standard 155hp is any short of expectations though, as a useful band of power is readily available.
Conclusion
With the DS4, the people at Citroen have succeeded in replicating the same recipe used for the smaller DS3, in churning out another great looking car.
Uncanny transmission might have been the source of disappointment for those with a spirited driving-style. However, one might need to consider that the DS4 wasn't designed with the boy-racer in mind in the first place.
Despite being less honed for mechanical-excellence, the DS4 is a commendable effort from the chevron-badged carmaker. Spend time with one, and you'll realise that its competent handling makes it a chic and fun driving machine to behold.
With the DS4, the people at Citroen have succeeded in replicating the same recipe used for the smaller DS3, in churning out another great looking car.
Uncanny transmission might have been the source of disappointment for those with a spirited driving-style. However, one might need to consider that the DS4 wasn't designed with the boy-racer in mind in the first place.
Despite being less honed for mechanical-excellence, the DS4 is a commendable effort from the chevron-badged carmaker. Spend time with one, and you'll realise that its competent handling makes it a chic and fun driving machine to behold.
Photos by Nicholas Low
Car Information
Citroen DS4 1.6 THP EGS (A)
CAT A|Petrol|15.3km/L
Horsepower
116kW (155 bhp)
Torque
240 Nm
Acceleration
9.9sec (0-100km /hr)
This model is no longer being sold by local distributor
All Used Citroen DS4
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