The DS 3 Crossback brings an abundance of style and character to the small SUV market.

The individualistic design of the car has a definite air of Gallic flair, both inside and out.

An efficient range of engines along with decent ride quality are further plus points.

The DS 3 Crossback is the second SUV from DS, the PSA Group’s premium brand. And it’s up against some tough opponents, notably the Audi Q2 and the MINI Countryman.

But DS is right to place its confidence in this vehicle, which wants for nothing.

The 3 Crossback is available with a choice of three petrol engines and one diesel.

The 1.2-litre Pure Tech 100hp petrol version, tested here, felt surprisingly sprightly in real world driving conditions.

It’s not very muscular low down in the rev range, so you’ll have to work it pretty hard through the gears and change frequently to secure the best performance.

But changing gear in this car certainly isn’t a chore as the silky smooth six speed manual box makes the process pleasurable.

So, despite being a relatively small engine, it would take a steep hill for it to feel underpowered.

And the engine is pretty frugal, with average mpg figures through my week in the car’s company coming out close to the official quotes figure.

When driving in inner city Bradford, the DS 3 felt agile and easily manoeuvrable. It also masks potholes well and rides better than some of its rivals. It has decent suspension composure and high levels of refinement, which all makes for a rather relaxing driving experience.

However, it never quite steps up from being pleasant to drive to the next level of being fun or exciting. That’s largely because of the steering, which gives little real feedback, and also the amount of body roll in corners, of which there’s a fair bit to look out for.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s grippy enough and trustworthy enough when cornering - it just lacks a bit of feel and sharpness.

But it’s sharp in other areas - notably the looks department.

The contours of the front end and bonnet create a rather beautiful effect, while there are plenty of design flourishes, such as door handles that pop out when you unlock the vehicle.

The bodywork is distinctive and heavily sculpted throughout, while further character is provided by a section of metal that rises up in a triangular effect from the back doors to cover the bottom corner of the rear side windows.

It’s a feature that seems to lack practical purpose and it’s also a slight hindrance when checking your blind spot, but it’s as if the designers have shrugged their shoulders and said: ‘so what, it adds personality!’ - and I rather like that approach.

Once inside, you’re greeted by an interior that’s quite different to anything else in this class.The dashboard has an extravagant layout, including a myriad of diamond-shaped buttons and controls, creating a striking effect.

The infotainment screen is easy to use and boasts crystal clear graphics.

Space up front is good and the seats are delightfully comfy, all adding to the feeling that the cabin is a special place to be. Space in the back seats is a bit more restricted, while room in the boot isn’t too cracking either.

In conclusion, this is a vehicle with enough appeal to push the DS brand further forward and to continue the counter-argument against those who say ‘it’s just an expensive Citroen.’ It’s got too much about it to be described like that and deserves to be judged in its own right.

However, pricing is a factor that will come into buyers’ thinking. At entry level, models at just over £20,000 look like a good deal . But once you go up the trim trail and prices pass the £30,000 mark, it comes into competition with some big-hitting rivals.

The lowdown

DS 3 CROSSBACK - PRESTIGE Pure Tech 100

ENGINE: 1199cc three-cylinder petrol turbo

MAX SPEED: 112 mph

0-62MPH: 10.9 seconds

PRICE: £24,955 on the road

WARRANTY: 3 years, 60,000 miles

TRANSMISSION: Six-speed manual

ECONOMY: 49.6mpg combined