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Review – DS No8, the Van Gogh among electric cars?

July 4, 2025

DS No8 is like art

So how exactly should we describe the new DS No8? We should think of three art forms: impressionism, expressionism and Art Nouveau.

In fact, this new DS No8 qualifies for all of these streams of art. Depending on the version, this electric limousine has a luminous grille. And in the interior, we detect artful lines with an X-shaped steering wheel as the absolute highlight. Artful, in other words. And yes, that has to be your thing. For this car, the “you hate it or you love it” principle applies.

DS No8

Quirky cars

But by now we don’t know any better about DS Automobiles. The brand – part of Stellantis – produces quirky cars. And the brand already does so in forty countries, in which more than 450 DS Stores (dealers) can be found. So since the sub-brand was founded, DS Automobiles has grown solidly. In 2024 alone, DS sold more than 340,000 cars, 49 percent of which were DS 7s. So the biggest business is in SUVs, but according to DS, we absolutely cannot forget the traditional business sedan either. It may be a smaller segment, but one with higher profit margins. Reason enough, then, to release this DS No8.

DS No8

The DS N°8 is built on the STLA Medium platform – coming to market as FWD, FWD Long Range and as AWD Long Range. That includes the following specifications.

DS N°8 FWD

DS N°8 FWD Long Range

DS N°8 AWD Long Range

Range DS No8 in practice

DS promises more than 500 kilometers on the highway at 120 km/h for the variant with the largest battery pack. Covering a distance of 450 kilometers is achievable anyway according to DS. So those are figures that this No8 should not be ashamed of at all. The maximum range of 750 kilometers can only be achieved with the largest battery pack in combination with front-wheel drive. Below we list exactly how much range each version has.

The battery packs of the DS N°8 – consisting of nickel-manganese-cobalt – support DC fast charging of up to 160 kW, adding up to 200 km of range in 10 minutes in the Longe Range version. Charging from 20% to 80% takes 27 minutes. The 11 kW onboard charger allows AC charging at home or at public charging points. A 22 kW on-board charger becomes optional. By the way, the powertrain outputs communicated by DS Automobiles are without short-term power boosts.  

DS No8 lineup

Equipped with various conveniences

The DS No8 has systems on board that you would expect from a modern electric car. This includes preheating the battery, a heat pump, V2L capability and a navigation system that takes into account charging stops along the way. This does not make the car unique. They are mostly features you would expect from an electric car in this segment. Speaking of competitors, the DS No8 is a counterpart to the Audi Q4 e-Tron Sportback, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Volkswagen ID.7, Polestar 4, BMW i4, Tesla Model Y, Audi Q6 e-tron Sportback and Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe. DS Automobiles thus targets both battery-electric cars and plug-in hybrids. The brand’s goal is to convince people that an electric car with such a long driving range can perfectly replace a car with a conventional powertrain.

Choice of Pallas and Étoile

DS Automobiles mainly tries to convince buyers with distinctive design, comfortable driving characteristics and lots of luxury. As a buyer, you only have to choose between two versions: Pallas and Étoile. The Pallas version comes as FWD and FWD Long Range. This version already has the DS IRIS SYSTEM with 3D connected navigation, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a wireless smartphone charger and four USB ports (two in the front and two in the rear). You also get Proximity Keyless Entry & Start and front, rear and side parking sensors combined with a rearview camera. Also standard are laminated and acoustic glass, tinted rear windows, dual-zone automatic air conditioning, multi-color ambient lighting as well as front and rear floor mats and stainless steel door sill strips.

DS No8 - interior

DS Luminascreen grille

The top version listens to the name Étoile. This version comes as FWD, FWD Long Range and AWD Long Range. You immediately recognize an Étoile by the DS Luminascreen grille: a luminous grille. The car also has an alarm system with double locking and child locks, DS Drive Assist 2.0, DS Pixel Led Vision, digital interior mirror, 360 Vision, power tailgate with hands-free access and the DS Extended head-up display.

Option packages and colors DS No8

You can further expand the equipment with several option packs. Those are the Tech Pack (for Pallas) and the Absolute Tech Pack (for Étoile) and the Comfort Pack (for Pallas) and the Absolute Comfort Pack (for Étoile). Furthermore, you will have to choose a body color. There is a choice of Topaz Blue, Palladium Grey, Alabaster White, Crystal Pearl and Perla Nera Black. Optionally, DS provides a black roof (including roof arches) or an elaborate DS two-tone color scheme for the hood. There is also a choice of 19- to 21-inch wheels. The smaller the wheel, the greater the driving range.

Front Design DS No8

How does the DS No8 drive?

During the international press launch, we drove both the AWD Long Range and the FWD Long Range. The AWD impresses more in terms of power, but even in the regular FWD Long Range you have little to complain about in terms of system power. It is mainly the onboard comfort and tranquility with which this Do8 excels. It is a wonderful travel car, which is also not averse to a winding mountain road. But anyone who really wants to speed in this No8 has fundamentally misunderstood the car. This is not a tearjerker, but an iron. Like the Pike of old. Wonderfully comfortable. And if desired, also a concert hall on wheels: the 3D audio system from FOCAL with 14 speakers and an output of 690 watts sounds sublime.

The seats – equipped with massage if desired – are comfortable, the steering column is well adjustable. The artful interior takes some getting used to, especially in terms of ergonomics, DS Automobiles might have made some different choices. This mainly concerns the operation of some buttons in the car. They do not always respond well to touch. Even the touchscreen sometimes hesitates to be touched, so there is a chance that you sometimes have to press it twice. Still, that shouldn’t spoil the fun on board. The learning curve of the car is limited. So after a week of driving, you probably know how to find everything blindly.

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Regenerative braking system

Also nice about this DS No8 is the regenerative braking system. That has several levels, adjustable via shift paddles on the steering wheel. Because DS gives you the choice to set a desired delay, you can fine-tune the car to your own preferences. Even with a full battery, the car brakes. This is a simulation of regenerative braking with the normal braking system. Cleverly done by DS.  

We are starting to see this DS No8 more and more as a modern pike. Like the original DS, this car is very beautifully streamlined and has a quirky look and feel. But the practical edge has also been thought of. There is plenty of room in the interior. And the luggage space is also generous at 620 liters. The loading floor has a length of 1.16 meters, so that even longer objects can be transported without having to fold down the rear seats. By the way, the No8 is not small, as it has a length of 4.82 meters, a width of 1.90 meters and a height of 1.58 meters. The wheelbase is remarkably large at 2.90 meters.  

Conclusion review DS No8 2025

Well, this DS No8 is not for everyone. We understand that too. For those who like to make a statement, we have a short message: give the DS No8 a try. It drives very nicely, is very well equipped, very spacious and also very quiet. You just have to love the design. The new No8 is a good car, but one that is sensitive to taste. And a bit of a modern reincarnation of the iconic DS.  

The DS No8 is available for immediate order. Pricing is attractive and all prices quoted are for delivery ready to drive.  


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DS No8





Front Design DS No8





DS No8 - interior