The DS7 Crossback is the newcomer into the premium carmakers field, a ride that competes against the likes of the Mercedes-Benz GLC, BMW X4, Audi Q5, Volvo XC40 and Jaguar E-Pace.

At a first glance, it might just be able to do that, given that it’s about the same size as a larger Audi Q5. Moreover, it’s priced from around £28,000 ($39,078) in the United Kingdom, which is a tad more than a base BMW X1, but comfortably undercuts the £39,105 X3, never mind the £42,585 X4.

Featuring a rather bold styling and a well-made cabin, with plenty of room in the back even for taller passengers, the DS7 Crossback might just be the high-riding vehicle you were searching for. It sports a large infotainment screen in the middle of the dashboard, soft-touch plastics and leather trim, and it’s nicely equipped, getting wireless smartphone charging in higher specs, and even LED headlights.

Now comes the list of flaws, because the French company’s crossover is not perfect. There are some hard (and easy to scratch) plastics on the lower part of the dashboard and center console, it lacks an all-wheel drive system and benefiting from most of the gizmos means upgrading to a more expensive grade.

As CarBuyer revealed in their review, that could mean paying as much as £46,000 ($64,199) for a well-equipped DS7 Crossback. And that’s just £4,000 ($5,583) shy off the entry-level BMW X5, which sits in a different league.

So, it seems that Citroen’s premium brand is on the right track, but there are some things that need improvement. If you choose your trim level and optional equipment smartly, though, you could end up with an affordable SUV that has a premium flair.