THE DS 7 Crossback was the first all-new model launched by the French car maker after it became an independent brand in 2014 and now the plug-in hybrid version really ups the ante.

For this SUV with dynamic styling boasts performance figures that would impress any driving purist and running costs that will keep you on the Christmas card list with the bank manager.

That said; the initial cost will raise some eyebrows with a price-tag of £56,075 - increased to £59,020 with options fitted. But it's worth remembering this is the premium brand in the PSA stable.

Powered by a 1.6-litre petrol turbo engine along with an electric motor driving the rear wheels delivering a combined 296bhp, this five-door family SUV can sprint to 62mph from a standing start in just 5.9 seconds and onto a top speed of 149mph.

According to official figures, the vehicle emits just 33g/km of carbon dioxide and can deliver up to 235.4mpg. Realistically this is only achievable if the battery levels are kept fully charged.

There's no denying the fact that the DS 7 Crossback is a great looking car with very distinctive lighting features.

Viewed from the back, the tail lamps have 3D illuminating scales with a mesh of diamond shapes bonded together. Then at the front, there are DS Active LED Vision headlights that emit a purple glow when the car is initially unlocked before pivoting 180 degrees into action.

These state-of-the-art lights deliver excellent visibility at night with a sweeping beam that adjusts according to the road conditions.

Other eye-catching design cues include a gloss black grille housing the DS emblem, a panoramic sunroof, roof rails, chrome DS wings, E-TENSE badging on the bonnet and tailgate, privacy glass, plus 19-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels.

Move inside and the interior is equally impressive with a very upmarket, premium feel along with a wealth of on-board technology to explore. There is luxurious quilted leather upholstery with powered seats that can be heated, cooled and even offer a massage function.

Creature comforts include a 12-inch touchscreen, smartphone connectivity via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, sat nav, an eight-speaker sound system, Bluetooth, wireless phone charging and the traditional BRM clock that emerges from the top of the dashboard when the car is started up.

When it comes to performance, the DS 7 Crossback E-TENSE offers impressive levels of firepower with sprint times akin to a hot hatch.

The road holding is well balanced meaning tight bends can be attacked with confidence and the excellent suspension set-up smooths out any bumps and dips along the way.

It's a car that cruises effortlessly on motorways and is just as happy proving its worth on the winding B roads where the acceleration through the eight-speed transmission is smooth and responsive.

There are drive modes called Electric, Comfort, Hybrid, Sport and four-wheel-drive (4WD) that alter the way the car reacts with Sport proving most fun when faced with the open road.

It is also nice and agile when tackling busy town centre traffic and the great all-round driver visibility is another plus factor. The car can be driven in electric-only mode for approximately 34 to 40 miles and takes less than two hours to charge to 100 per cent from a 7.2kW home charger.

Comfort levels within the vehicle are good with ample space in the back for two adults or three at a bit of a squeeze. Storage space also impresses with a boot that can swallow 628 litres of kit which increases to 1,752 litres with the split-folding rear seats dropped down.

The DS 7 Crossback was awarded the maximum five stars when it was tested for its Euro NCAP safety rating with a range of driver assist systems such as active blind spot detection, lane keeping assist, traffic sign recognition, driver attention alert and plenty more besides. And the 4WD system will keep you motoring during more adverse driving conditions.