Lots of space and quality inside the DS No. 8, even if some solutions are a little too baroque
Impressive front, streamlined body and distinctive lines. That, in a nutshell, is the DS N°8, the new French flagship designed to replace the ill-fated DS9. And if the exterior of the Stellantis premium brand’s fastback is nothing to sniff at, the interior is also designed to impress with its distinctive style.
In fact, the interior of the DS N°8 is made up of a lot of technology set in a décor that wants to be classic, but also wants to say something new.
In a world of ever-larger screens, the DS N°8 almost seems to want to go against the grain, but that’s just an impression. On the dashboard there is a 16-inch touch screen, mounted horizontally, like a painting, complete with backlighting. Low and wide, it displays a wealth of information with graphics that, while pleasing in colour, are sometimes in danger of being a little too confusing. Also because of the haptic feedback. Beautiful, but user-friendliness must come first. The confusing effect can be resolved by using the voice assistant, which includes ChatGPT.
Instead, the instrument panel uses a 10.25-inch screen and works with an augmented reality head-up display that projects directly onto the windscreen. A solution increasingly used in premium models.
The design of the steering wheel is special, with X-shaped spokes, probably also to make room for the various controls on the left and right to manage the info telematics and the various driver assistance systems. Again, in the DS N°8, the designers wanted to create something different. Will it be liked? Only time will tell. Personally, I liked it. Speaking of controls, buttons and so on, the French flagship virtualises practically everything, leaving just a few buttons under the central monitor and on the tunnel.
DS, along with Alfa Romeo and Lancia, represents the premium end of the Stellantis range and even aims to compete with Bentley and Rolls-Royce – perhaps one day, but this is wishful thinking. There is still a long way to go, and it passes through a more than well-kept interior. The DS No. 8 seems to do the job admirably. In the version I saw at the Brussels Motor Show 2025 – presumably the top of the range – there was hardly a trace of plastic.
On the top-of-the-range DS No. 8 the sound system is the Focal Electra 3D
The centre tunnel of the DS N°8
Acres of soft leather practically everywhere. And where there isn’t, there’s aluminium, used, for example, to cover the audio system’s speakers. The result is twofold: on the one hand, it shows DS’s continued growth in terms of quality; on the other, it is perhaps a little too baroque. Almost as if to show off the opulence on offer, with a design that is perhaps a little ‘squeaky’ at times. Let’s just say that the direction might be the right one, but it would be enough to soften a few of the solutions like the super central tunnel that divides the two front seats. Bulky and with a bright pattern reminiscent of a Star Wars hyperspace jump. It stands out, but why?
With a length of 4.82 metres, the DS N°8 has plenty of room inside and both front and rear seats ensure that even taller people don’t suffer either with their legs or their head. In general, the seats are comfortable and seem to support the body well, with an excellent balance between stiffness and softness. Rear-seat passengers, of course, have air conditioning controls and plenty of space, even if the environment can be oppressive. The waistline is particularly high and the rear window minimal. The best solution is to opt for the optional glass roof, which improves the lighting situation. It is a screen-printed glass that does not take up any headroom and, thanks to its multi-layer composition, promises excellent thermal performance in all seasons. However, it lacks both curtain and blackout functions.
The back of the DS No. 8 is comfortable, but the high beltline and the shape of the rear window make it a little oppressive.
The seats are comfortable and accommodate the body well
The luggage compartment has a capacity of at least 620 litres and has a regular and efficient design. The hatch to access it is very practical. The maximum capacity has not been stated, but we do know that the rear seats can be folded down in a 40:20:40 pattern, offering good modularity of space.
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