2026 DS Nº8 AWD real world range test
DS is one of the more exciting choices one can make in today's automotive landscape, especially in Europe. It is a brand that wants to break off from its Citroen legacy and does so with a lot of flare, particularly when it comes to design.
The DS Nº8 we're testing has the high clearance and practicality of an SUV, but the general shape of a sedan, making it appear outlandish even at first glance. We'll focus more on its design in our upcoming detailed review, but for now we'll see how far it can go on a charge.
We have the DS Nº8 AWD Long Range at our disposal in the highest Jules Verne trim. If you’re pushing for maximal range figures, the FWD Long Range will take you slightly further at the expense of AWD and lower power output.
The Nº8 AWD version outputs 375 hp, 375 lb-ft and an acceleration to 62 mph in under 5.5 seconds. But today’s article focuses solely on range on a single charge and efficiency. And the DS Nº8 certainly has potential to be among the greatest vehicles to enter our testing ground - it is equipped with a large 97.2 kWh usable battery pack and comes with a nicely aerodynamic body.
We drove our usual test routes, doing the same track both ways at constant speeds at the same place as with every other car we test. The ambient temperature while testing the 2026 DS Nº8 AWD Long Range was 68°F, which is the ideal setting for such testing.
At our lowest testing speed of 37 mph, the DS Nº8 AWD showcases its amazingly efficient powertrain. Despite the two motors and high power output, consumption is minimal at this low speed. Of course, in the real world this figure is overexaggerated as nobody would willingly drive over 620 miles at 37 mph but it’s good to know that the Nº8 is capable of going that far.
Range test results
- 37 mph
- 56 mph
- 81 mph
DS Nº8 AWD Long Range
BMW iX3 50 xDrive (Summer tires 21")
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Tesla Model 3 LR
Kia EV4 Long Range
Peugeot e-3008 GT Electric
Polestar 2
When we speed up to 56 mph, consumption rises but the range figure remains impressive. Here is where the FWD version with the same battery will likely yield the biggest difference compared to this AWD model we test.
At the highest testing speed of 81 mph, the DS Nº8 AWD also performs greatly. The optimized shape plays its role and limits the increase in consumption. The Nº8 allows for long highway journeys on a single charge and that used to be a problem for multiple EVs.
It seems the DS Nº8 is among the first midsize sedans to offer truly long range and therefore be a viable solution to the one-car problem many people have. Similarly sized vehicles are often used as a daily driver and family vacation haulers, as well, which requires them to be capable at everything at once.
The DS Nº8 AWD serves that purpose tremendously well and is among the first sedans that offers such versatility in a more compact shape. If you’re in the search of a uniquely designed vehicle with a long range and decent practicality but want to escape the German propositions, we highly recommend checking out the DS Nº8 and trying it out for yourself.
The Nº8 would’ve been one of the best choices one could make in that segment if it weren't for the price, which can easily go on the wrong side of $94,000. However, deals or used vehicles can easily deflect this downside.
You can use the widget below to find out the DS Nº8 AWD’s range in every combination of speed and temperature you might need. We've used our real world tests and a complex model to provide an estimate that should be as close to the actual performance as possible.
Thanks to Rosen Raychev for the pictures.
From the team behind
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