DS 4 Crossback: which version to buy
The DS 4 Crossback was sold as a single generation (February 2015–May 2018) in one body: SUV 5-doors, with 6 versions. There is no later generation to compare, so the buying choice is entirely among those six, all FWD, all with a 6-speed gearbox, all with 160 mm ground clearance and a 60 L tank.
The DS 4 Crossback was sold as a single generation (February 2015–May 2018) in one body: SUV 5-doors, with 6 versions. There is no later generation to compare, so the buying choice is entirely among those six, all FWD, all with a 6-speed gearbox, all with 160 mm ground clearance and a 60 L tank. The spread that matters is 120–210 hp, 230–400 Nm, 8.4–11.4 s to 100 km/h, 190–235 km/h top speed, kerb weight 1255–1385 kg, and mixed consumption from 3.9 to 7.7 L/100 km where it is measured.
Generations: what actually changed (one generation, six versions)
1 generation (2015-02-01 to 2018-05-31), SUV 5-doors, 6 versions. There is no restyling split in the data and no second generation. Chassis layout is the same on every version: front Independent, spring, rear Semi-independent, springorts hélicoïdaux, sem, front brakes Ventilated disc, rear Disc, engine Front, transverse. What you are choosing is engine, gearbox type, weight, and emissions class — not a different car.
The six catalogue names, kept exactly, are 1.6 AT, 2.0 AT, 1.6 Puretech AT, 1.2 AT, and two distinct 1.6 THP versions (210 hp and 165 hp).
Specs: engine, gearbox, drive (every version)
| Version | hp (kW @ rpm) | Nm @ rpm | cc | Fuel | Cyl / layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6 AT | 120 (88 @ 3500) | 300 @ 1750 | 1560 | Diesel | 4 Inline | Turbo | Automatic 6 | FWD |
| 2.0 AT | 180 (132 @ 3750) | 400 @ 2000 | 1997 | Diesel | 4 Inline | Turbo | Automatic 6 | FWD |
| 1.6 Puretech AT | 150 (110 @ 6000) | 240 @ 1400 | 1598 | Gasoline | 4 Inline | Turbo | Automatic 6 | FWD |
| 1.2 AT | 130 (95 @ 5500) | 230 @ 1750 | 1199 | Gasoline | 3 Inline | Turbo | Manual 6 | FWD |
| 1.6 THP (210 hp) | 210 (154 @ 6000) | 285 @ 1400 | 1598 | Gasoline | 4 Inline | Turbo | Manual 6 | FWD |
| 1.6 THP (165 hp) | 165 (121 @ 6000) | 240 @ 1400 | 1598 | Gasoline | 4 Inline | Turbo | Manual 6 | FWD |
Fuel system: 1.6 Puretech AT and both 1.6 THP use Direct injection (direct). 1.6 AT, 2.0 AT, and 1.2 AT: fuel system not measured. Compression: 1.6 AT 17, 2.0 AT 16.7, 1.6 Puretech AT 10.5, 1.2 AT 17; both 1.6 THP not measured. Bore × stroke: 1.6 AT 75 × 88.3, 2.0 AT 85 × 88, 1.6 Puretech AT 77 × 85.8; 1.2 AT and both 1.6 THP not measured. Valves per cylinder: 1.6 AT and 1.6 Puretech AT 2; 2.0 AT, 1.2 AT, and both 1.6 THP 4. Fuel grade: diesels Diesel; petrols 95. Eco class: 1.2 AT is Euro 6; the other five are Euro 5.
Performance, mpg, and economy
0–100 km/h / top speed
- 1.6 THP (210 hp): 8.4 s / 235 km/h — fastest and highest top speed in the range.
- 2.0 AT: 8.6 s / 205 km/h.
- 1.6 Puretech AT: 8.7 s / 212 km/h.
- 1.6 THP (165 hp): 9.5 s / 211 km/h.
- 1.2 AT: 10.8 s / 198 km/h.
- 1.6 AT: 11.4 s / 190 km/h — slowest and lowest top speed.
The 210 hp 1.6 THP beats the 165 hp 1.6 THP by 1.1 s and 24 km/h. It beats 1.6 AT by 3.0 s and 45 km/h. 2.0 AT is 0.2 s slower to 100 km/h than the 210 hp 1.6 THP but has 115 Nm more torque (400 vs 285). 1.6 Puretech AT is 0.1 s behind 2.0 AT to 100 km/h and 7 km/h faster at the top, with 160 Nm less torque.
Fuel consumption (L/100 km)
- 1.6 AT: city 4.5, highway 3.6, mixed 3.9 — lowest mixed figure in the data.
- 2.0 AT: city 5.2, highway 3.8, mixed 4.3 — +0.8 / +0.2 / +0.4 versus 1.6 AT for +60 hp and +100 Nm.
- 1.6 Puretech AT: city 10.6, highway 6, mixed 7.7 — highest mixed figure; +3.8 mixed versus 2.0 AT, +3.8 versus 1.6 AT.
- 1.2 AT: mixed 4.9; city not measured; highway not measured.
- 1.6 THP (210 hp): mixed 5.9; city not measured; highway not measured.
- 1.6 THP (165 hp): mixed 5.5; city not measured; highway not measured.
The 210 hp 1.6 THP uses 0.4 L/100 km more mixed than the 165 hp 1.6 THP. 1.2 AT mixed 4.9 is 0.6 above 2.0 AT mixed 4.3 and 1.0 above 1.6 AT mixed 3.9, despite being petrol. 1.6 Puretech AT mixed 7.7 is 1.8 above the 210 hp 1.6 THP mixed 5.9 and 2.2 above the 165 hp 1.6 THP mixed 5.5. CO2 is not measured on every version.
Dimensions, weight, tank, wheels
Ground clearance is 160 mm on all six. Tank is 60 L on all six. Wheel sizes: not measured on all six.
Kerb / gross (kg):
- 1.2 AT: 1255 / 1790 — lightest; 130 kg lighter kerb than 1.6 AT, 2.0 AT, and 1.6 Puretech AT (1385 / 1890); 58 kg lighter kerb than both 1.6 THP (1313 / 1845). Gross is 100 kg below the 1890 trio and 55 kg below the 1.6 THP pair.
- 1.6 THP (210 hp) and 1.6 THP (165 hp): 1313 / 1845.
- 1.6 AT, 2.0 AT, 1.6 Puretech AT: 1385 / 1890 — heaviest kerb and gross.
Payload from the given masses: 1.2 AT 535 kg (1790−1255); both 1.6 THP 532 kg (1845−1313); 1.6 AT / 2.0 AT / 1.6 Puretech AT 505 kg (1890−1385). The light petrols carry a few tens of kilograms more payload than the 1385 kg trio.
Which version to choose
There is only 1 generation, so “newer generation” is not a reason. Use the numbers.
If you want the lowest mixed consumption in the data: 1.6 AT — 3.9 L/100 km mixed, city 4.5, highway 3.6. Cost of that economy: 120 hp, 11.4 s, 190 km/h, 11.54 kg/hp (1385/120), 76.9 hp/L (120/1.560). It is the weakest and slowest 4 Crossback. Torque is not weak: 300 Nm at 1750 rpm, 192 Nm/L (300/1.560). Versus 2.0 AT you give up 60 hp and 100 Nm and take 2.8 s more to 100 km/h and 15 km/h less top speed to save 0.4 L/100 km mixed.
If you want diesel torque and an Automatic without the slowest sprint: 2.0 AT. 180 hp, 400 Nm (highest torque in the range), 8.6 s, 205 km/h, mixed 4.3. Specific output 90.1 hp/L (180/1.997) and 200 Nm/L (400/1.997) — highest torque per litre. Weight per horsepower 7.69 kg/hp (1385/180), versus 11.54 on 1.6 AT. Same 1385 / 1890 kg, same Automatic 6, same Euro 5, same FWD. The extra 60 hp and 100 Nm versus 1.6 AT cost 0.7 / 0.2 / 0.4 L/100 km (city/highway/mixed). Versus the 210 hp 1.6 THP, 2.0 AT is 0.2 s slower to 100 km/h but has 115 Nm more and a measured mixed figure 1.6 L/100 km lower (4.3 vs 5.9). Versus 1.6 Puretech AT, 2.0 AT is 0.1 s quicker to 100 km/h, 7 km/h slower at the top, 160 Nm stronger, and 3.4 L/100 km better mixed (4.3 vs 7.7).
If you want an Automatic petrol: only 1.6 Puretech AT. 150 hp, 240 Nm at 1400 rpm, 8.7 s, 212 km/h, mixed 7.7, city 10.6, highway 6. Same kerb 1385 kg as the two diesels. 9.23 kg/hp (1385/150). 93.9 hp/L (150/1.598). Peak power arrives at 6000 rpm, not the diesel 3500–3750. Versus 2.0 AT you lose 30 hp and 160 Nm, gain 7 km/h top speed, and use 3.4 L/100 km more mixed. Versus the 165 hp 1.6 THP you have the same 240 Nm and almost the same top speed (212 vs 211) with an Automatic instead of Manual, 0.8 s quicker to 100 km/h, 72 kg more kerb, and 2.2 L/100 km more mixed (7.7 vs 5.5). This is the thirsty Automatic in the set.
If you want the lightest car and the only Euro 6: 1.2 AT. Catalogue name is 1.2 AT; gearbox in the data is Manual 6. 130 hp from 1199 cc, 3 Inline, 230 Nm at 1750 rpm, 10.8 s, 198 km/h, mixed 4.9. Highest specific power among the non-THP engines: 108.4 hp/L (130/1.199). Lightest: 1255 kg, 9.65 kg/hp (1255/130). Versus 1.6 AT: +10 hp, −70 Nm, −0.6 s, +8 km/h, mixed +1.0 (4.9 vs 3.9), −130 kg kerb. Versus 1.6 Puretech AT: −20 hp, −10 Nm, +2.1 s, −14 km/h, mixed −2.8 (4.9 vs 7.7), −130 kg. City and highway consumption: not measured. This is the only Euro 6 version; the other five are Euro 5.
If you want the strongest petrol and the shortest 0–100: 1.6 THP (210 hp). 210 hp, 285 Nm at 1400 rpm, 8.4 s, 235 km/h, mixed 5.9, kerb 1313 kg. Best power density: 131.4 hp/L (210/1.598). Best weight per horsepower: 6.25 kg/hp (1313/210). Versus the other 1.6 THP (165 hp): +45 hp, +45 Nm, −1.1 s, +24 km/h, mixed +0.4 (5.9 vs 5.5), same 1313 / 1845 kg, same Manual 6, same Direct injection (direct). Versus 2.0 AT: +30 hp, −115 Nm, −0.2 s, +30 km/h, mixed +1.6 where both are measured, −72 kg kerb. Versus 1.6 Puretech AT: +60 hp, +45 Nm, −0.3 s, +23 km/h, mixed −1.8, −72 kg, but Manual instead of Automatic. City and highway: not measured. Compression and bore × stroke: not measured.
If you want the milder THP petrol Manual: 1.6 THP (165 hp). 165 hp, 240 Nm at 1400 rpm (same torque as 1.6 Puretech AT), 9.5 s, 211 km/h, mixed 5.5, 1313 kg. 103.3 hp/L (165/1.598), 7.96 kg/hp (1313/165). Versus 1.6 Puretech AT: same 240 Nm, +15 hp, +0.8 s to 100 km/h, −1 km/h top speed, −2.2 L/100 km mixed, −72 kg, Manual vs Automatic. Versus 1.2 AT: +35 hp, +10 Nm, −1.3 s, +13 km/h, mixed +0.6 (5.5 vs 4.9), +58 kg. Versus 2.0 AT: −15 hp, −160 Nm, +0.9 s, +6 km/h, mixed +1.2. City and highway: not measured.
Arithmetic summary (same generation, FWD, 6 speeds, 160 mm, 60 L)
- Lowest mixed: 1.6 AT 3.9. Highest mixed: 1.6 Puretech AT 7.7 (gap 3.8).
- Highest torque: 2.0 AT 400 Nm. Lowest torque: 1.2 AT 230 Nm (gap 170 Nm).
- Highest hp: 1.6 THP (210 hp). Lowest hp: 1.6 AT 120 (gap 90 hp).
- Fastest 0–100: 1.6 THP (210 hp) 8.4 s. Slowest: 1.6 AT 11.4 s (gap 3.0 s).
- Highest top speed: 1.6 THP (210 hp) 235. Lowest: 1.6 AT 190 (gap 45 km/h).
- Lightest: 1.2 AT 1255 kg. Heaviest: 1385 kg on 1.6 AT, 2.0 AT, 1.6 Puretech AT (gap 130 kg).
- Only Euro 6: 1.6 AT is not it — only 1.2 AT. Only 3-cylinder: 1.2 AT. Only 1997 cc: 2.0 AT. Both 1.6 THP share the name; pick 210 vs 165 hp.
- Automatics in the data: 1.6 AT, 2.0 AT, 1.6 Puretech AT. Manuals: 1.2 AT, both 1.6 THP. The name 1.2 AT does not mean Automatic in this dataset.
Practical pick using only these figures. Daily diesel Automatic with the least mixed fuel: 1.6 AT. Daily diesel Automatic that is actually quick: 2.0 AT (the 60 hp / 100 Nm / 2.8 s step is large; the mixed penalty is 0.4 L/100 km). Petrol Automatic: 1.6 Puretech AT — only option, and the mixed 7.7 is the outlier. Lightest / only Euro 6: 1.2 AT. Strongest and shortest sprint: 1.6 THP (210 hp). Same THP hardware with 0.4 L/100 km less mixed and 45 hp less: 1.6 THP (165 hp). Wheel sizes and CO2 cannot break a tie: both are not measured on every version.