Is the DS N°8 worth considering?

The DS N°8 deserves a shortlist place if you want a distinctive premium EV and place a high value on range. The front-wheel-drive Long Range version has the headline WLTP figure. The all-wheel-drive model trades some of that range for performance and traction.

It is refreshing to see a car with a different visual approach in a market where plenty of expensive SUVs look interchangeable. That is a reason to look at the N°8, but not enough to buy it. The comfort, controls and ownership costs still have to make sense.

Which battery and drivetrain should you choose?

DS lists three UK powertrains: 230hp front-wheel drive with a 74kWh battery, 245hp front-wheel-drive Long Range with 97.2kWh, and 350hp all-wheel-drive Long Range using the larger battery.

My starting point would depend on travel. If most journeys are short and charging is easy, the standard battery deserves a fair comparison. If you regularly cross the country, the larger front-drive version has a clearer purpose. AWD should be chosen because you value its particular capability, rather than because it sits higher in the range.

Does it really travel 466 miles between charges?

Up to 466 miles is the official WLTP maximum for the front-wheel-drive Long Range. DS quotes up to 341 miles for the standard battery and 427 for AWD Long Range. Those are different versions, not three estimates for the same car.

I would not plan every journey around the maximum. Weather, speed and load matter, and keeping a reserve is sensible. The useful question is how the car changes your normal stopping pattern, not whether you can make a laboratory figure appear on a single journey.

Range also does not replace charging research. Look at the facilities on your usual routes and compare the exact derivative's charging specification before deciding.

What should you look for in the cabin?

A distinctive interior can be enjoyable, provided it remains easy to use. I would spend time with the driving position, main controls and screen layout before concentrating on materials and lighting.

Try the rear seats with the front set correctly. Check roof clearance, the door opening and how easily the people who travel with you get in and out. A sloping roof is a styling choice with practical consequences worth assessing in person.

For a car aimed at longer journeys, seat support over time matters more than an initially soft impression. Give the viewing enough time to establish whether the position suits you.

How should you assess value?

The UK model page lists Pallas FWD 230 from £50,790 OTR. Compare the exact battery, trim and options on a written quotation. A long-range headline attached to an entry price can make a car appear to offer a combination that is not actually on sale.

I would include insurance, servicing access and finance terms in the comparison. Distinctive design can justify a personal preference, but it should be an informed one. Make sure the local ownership arrangements are as appealing as the car itself.

What are the alternatives and my verdict?

The Audi A6 e-tron is relevant for long-distance electric use. The Polestar 4 offers another design-led route, while the Genesis GV60 brings a different premium approach.

The N°8 is most convincing when the range-focused specification matches a real travel need. I would examine front-wheel-drive Long Range first for that role. If the cabin works and the price is right, the less familiar badge should not rule it out. If the extra battery would rarely be used, question whether it is money well spent.

Sources and author

By Ben Freakley. Editorial assessment using DS UK's N°8 model information and official N°8 technical FAQs, checked 21 October 2026. Official DS image; specification varies. More DS coverage.