• Interior quality a mixed bag
• Infotainment system feels outdated and not premium
• Digital instruments are crisp and clear
  

How is the quality and layout?

The DS 9 is striking and interesting inside – and more than a little familiar to anyone who’s sat in a Peugeot 508, even if the instruments are mounted in a more conventional way than the I-Cockpit design of its smaller brother. Where the DS 9 really scores is in the use of a wonderful range of trims and materials – so you get a generous amount of suede as well as the option of Nappa leather for its pleated seats.

The quality isn’t all this good, though. The use of the same controls such as its column stalks, switches and transmission selector as those you would find in a Vauxhall Corsa or Peugeot 2008 is disappointing in a car that you can spend more than £50k on. You’ll also find plenty of plastics shared with far cheaper cars, offsetting the good stuff.

Infotainment and tech

The infotainment is probably the DS 9’s weakest link. It’s carried over almost unchanged from the Peugeot 508, and now feels at least a couple of generations old, especially compared with the excellent system in the new Peugeot 308. The 12.0-inch touchscreen is crisp to look at, but the design doesn’t really feel premium enough, while the selection of shortcut keys below mean you’re not going to be using the touchscreen too much.

BMW’s is simpler to use and Mercedes’ feels flashier and more befitting of a upmarket brand.

There are plenty of USB sockets dotted around the cabin and the sound quality of the audio system is good. The sat-nav is quick and works well enough, although the speech input is off-the-pace compared with the brilliant systems by BMW and Mercedes-Benz. It can be switched between layouts quickly, and is impressively resistant to glare. It’s just a shame it doesn’t look better. Good news is that there’s an updated set-up on the way.

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Comfort

• Fabulous front seats – comfortable and supportive
• Plenty of lounging room in the rear
• Optional front- and rear-seat massagers
  

Here’s where the DS 9 really stands out. Being a large French car, you’d expect it to be a comfortable place to sit, and that very much proves to be the case. The front pews are generously proportioned, supportive, and offer seat heating and ventilation as well as massaging options.

The rears are equally comfortable, and benefit from the option of individual seat heaters and massagers, which is rare at this price point.

The myriad of electrical adjusters will create a seating position to suit most frames. Interestingly, the motors for the front massage seats can be annoyingly noisy, but you at least get five different programs to choose from.

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