watch as we crossback again

2019 DS3 Crossback - Compact Premium CUV

Click to see more 2019 CUV's

    Well it seems like its been awhile since we heard anything about DS Motors, but today it seems that they are still alive and kicking.  Sure their not making any major changes to the automotive market, like they once did, but they are still turning heads and making a difference.  Today DS has decided to grace our screens with the all new DS3 Cossback. Sure we all know the DS3 is a great hatchback, but in this ever changing CUV marketplace it was inevitable before we saw that great hatch morph into a CUV. 

Sure the aura of the DS3 is somewhat still there, but really all that street cred is gone.  When you lift a great car, you turn it into everything else and that is what has happened here.  But enough of the high stance bad mouthing, lets get on with the review.
    Up front DS has done an excellent job blending all of that chrome into every nook and cranny they could.  Too bad they couldn't figure out a better way of breaking the lower intake from the front bumper as a simple little slip of the pen has created a massive void on each side.  Guess DS didn't think that we would see that and give them great marks on blending the entire front.  They have however simplified the hoodline with a few hard character lines, but this again has created a protrusion along the edge of this once great bonnet.  But besides all of that they have created one aw-inspiring chrome featured front end which will set them apart from the crowd.
    Out back it seems that DS has decided to take a brake from all that chrome up front and set their focus on clean lines and a perfectly sequenced tail lamp setup.  Too bad that the lower bumper guard wasn't given any chrome treatment as the use of cheap low grade plastic has diminished the premium appeal here.  This cheap plastic gives off the feeling of a basic entry CUV, not a premium product.  Some use of chrome accents could have helped here along with the lower window line.  Maybe in the refresh DS will get this right.
    Along the side it seems that DS has forgotten its ways.  Utilizing the rear D-pillar bar from the DS3 hatch along the side has broken the side into two time zones.  Maybe if this feature had been placed at this vehicles D-pillar, then it would have flowed with the design, rather than breaking it up.  Add to this that horrible use of cheap plastic as well and you have the makings of another entry level model.  Guess DS has forgotten its ways and their designers forgot that they were making a premium model, not an entry level Citroen model.  But hey maybe with some aftermarket modifications the DS3 Crossback will look better.  We're not holding out breath on that story.
    All around the new DS3 Crossback is a decent starting point for this model, but really isn't the best executed design for this segment.  It's appeal is suppose to be for a premium segment, but this design falls short of that landing in the entry level marketplace.  Too bad as DS is one of more liked premium brands.  Add to that the odd stance and so-so aggression and you now have the makings of a standard compact CUV.  Too bad as we really wanted DS to wow us in this marketplace.  Guess we will just have to wait for the mid-cycle refresh to see if they can redeem themselves.

Everett J.
#AutoLooks, @AutoLooks, AutoLooks.net

Overall Grade: Average
Buy List Approved: Maybe
Recommended Tuner: Possible
Trend Setter: No
Future Classic: No
(Premium lifted hatch done well)

See more DS models at: www.DS.com