The DS range may have shed parent company Citroen's badge, but this five star offering proves it has not ditched the French group's commitment to flair and funky fashion statements.

The first model since the decision to let the DS brand go it alone has a lot riding on it as high-class competitors lie in wait - so it now boasts a new upmarket look thanks to stylish lines and innovative design.

The changes transform the car with a new nose - devoid of double chevron grille - featuring a cross-hatched affair with winged chrome surround as well as LED lights that adjust for corners.

If the exterior is exciting, then the cabin is a showstopper with lots of neat ideas and features - including a quirky clock and toggle switches mounted in the roof - that can only make you smile.

Care is also taken to deliver a superior fit and finish with top quality materials ensuring the premium feel the DS 5 needs to succeed.

Visibility is okay although one quibble would have to be the disrupted view out of the rear window while the sturdy good-looking pillars holding the windscreen in place nevertheless slightly hinder your view.

Being a fashionista is one thing but the DS 5 also has to make sense as a family motor. There's plenty of room for four although the sloping roof may leave your taller teenagers brushing their heads on the ceiling in the rear.

The boot offers 465-litres of space for luggage and shopping -not as much as some but a reasonable size for a family's needs.

Fire up the BlueHDi 150 diesel engine via the push-button ignition and you'll discover a willing accomplice that sips fuel frugally while offering decent performance and plenty of power when it comes to overtaking. Average fuel consumption is claimed to be 68.9mpg while carbon dioxide emissions are just 105g/km keeping tax liabilities to a minimum.

It's reasonably quiet unless you really put the pedal to the metal and the cabin does a good job of keeping external noise where it belongs - away from the DS 5's occupants. Long motorway trips are far from a chore as - traffic and road works willing - it eats up the miles with the minimum of fuss.

Other engines offered include the entry-level BlueHDi 120 and more powerful 180 as well as a 163bhp THP 165 petrol power unit and a 197bhp diesel-electric hybrid with four-wheel drive.

The updated suspension ensures a smooth ride absorbing the humps and hollows on what passes for roads these days with aplomb.

Two versions are available - the Prestige model I drove and the entry-level Elegance. All models get a decent amount of kit including cruise control, sat-nav, dual-zone climate control as well as parking sensors, Bluetooth and a decent stereo featuring a digital radio. The Prestige accesses a reversing camera, powered driver's seat and xenon headlights.