French manufacturers have a history of producing iconic executive cars. One that particularly comes to mind is the Citroen DS. Launched in 1955, the DS was the first production car to feature hydropneumatic suspension and disc brakes. It was also wrapped in futuristic bodywork.

Now Stellantis’s premium brand taking on German rivals, DS Automobiles has tried its hand at the executive class before with the short-lived DS 9. Despite being offered with a plug-in hybrid version, this China-built model was discontinued in 2023.

The No8 is effectively the DS 9’s replacement, although it’s a completely different type of vehicle. The DS 9 was a traditional, low-slung, three-box saloon with petrol and hybrid powertrains, whereas the No8 is an all-electric fastback coupé-crossover.

Performance and drive

There are three versions of the DS No8 available. The least powerful is the front-wheel-drive (FWD) 230, with 230hp, 343Nm of torque and a range of 326 miles.

The longest-range version is the aptly named Long Range 245, which is available with front-wheel drive and offers a range of up to 446 miles. It still boasts 245hp and 343Nm of torque, with 0–62mph acceleration taking just 7.8 seconds.

Then there’s the range-topping Long Range 350, which we have here. An additional rear motor provides all-wheel drive (AWD), with 345hp and 511Nm of torque, resulting in 0–62mph acceleration in 5.4 seconds. Yet, despite all this power, the Long Range 350 still offers a range of up to 411 miles.

The No8 is built on Stellantis’s STLA Medium platform, which also underpins the Citroen E-C5 Aircross that we’ve already driven. With a maximum charging rate of 160kW, the Long Range 350 can be charged from 10% to 80% in just 30–35 minutes, although that’s not as quick as some rivals.

Gone is the pneumatic suspension. Instead, the Long Range 350 is fitted with a conventional coil-spring set-up. The ride is soft, comfortable and refined, which works well on the motorway but is less convincing when the roads get more interesting. The DS tends to wallow and bounce along the road.

Another disappointment is the steering, which is numb and totally lacking in feel.

Design and interior

Outside, the No8’s styling is as pleasingly avant-garde as you’d expect from a French executive car. This full-size, five-seat crossover SUV has several design highlights, including its high, bulky waistline, slim glasshouse, plunging roofline, sharp front and rear light designs, illuminated grille and the two-tone paint scheme of our range-topper.

It looks like no other car on the road, which is a good thing. In our opinion, it looks most interesting from the rear.

Inside, the No8 is just as strikingly styled, with rose-gold metal highlights across the angular dashboard, door cards, centre console and steering wheel. These contrast nicely with our test car’s blue leather and suede trim.

There’s plenty of legroom in both the front and rear, while the glass roof lets in welcome extra light. However, rear headroom is compromised by the sharply sloping hatchback styling.

Infotainment is handled by the familiar 16in widescreen touchscreen, which is intuitive to use and works in much the same way as the system in the Citroen E-C5 Aircross.

One interior highlight is the steering wheel. It looks unusual, with its wide spokes, but is surprisingly comfortable to use on the move.

The 620 litre boot is usefully practical, thanks to the No8’s hatchback design. Folding the standard 40/20/40 split rear seats increases capacity to 1,553 litres.

It’s a shame that, like most modern EVs, the No8 has a distinct lack of physical switchgear. While the interior looks smart and high-quality, we found some aspects of the build quality disappointing. Our test car’s glovebox wouldn’t stay shut, and there’s too much hard plastic and shared switchgear.

At £69,190 with options, our test No8 is an expensive choice. Unless you’ve fallen for this DS’s avant-garde styling, however, rivals offer a more convincing package. We’re still pleased it exists.

Positive: Styling inside and out, interior space, and an easy, comfortable and refined driving experience.

Negative: Expensive; taller passengers may struggle with rear headroom; some quality issues, hard plastics and shared switchgear disappoint.

Standard equipment: Canvas interior trim, 20-inch wheels, 360-degree parking sensors, a rear-view camera, a heated steering wheel and LED headlights.