Base Unit Battle! Rover P6 vs Citroen DS: Part Two, Road Test! 

Exactly mate...you just nailed it with: "how did we get away from the cosseting suspensions of older cars?". Ans as you say, both cars also had excellent road handling.... Today's cars are a torture on less than perfect roads surfaces...

The Nurburgring has destroyed the softly sprung yet good handling car, apparently we all.want race car on the road. And really hard seats that mean you can't sit with anything in your back pocket. Sorry for the rant, great content as always Ian. Thanks

The motoring press demands that every car nowadays has a 'sporty' suspension and handling at the expense of comfort and today's car seats are like sitting on wooden benches. With today's pothole ridden roads we need more cars that are comfortable like old Citroens.

Although I really like the P6, the DS is a work of art to me. It seems so light and airy in the cockpit. I’m sure you felt ‘joie de vivre’ inside. I think the DS could work as a modern day redesign even 😄

I've been waiting for this. In the late 1960's I was a mechanic in a local garage and we had a DS for service some one pushed the car against a wall unknown to him was the fact the car rose up when started and the boot was under a sink when it was started next day it rose up and pulled the sink away from the wall and we had to repair the body damage.

When you think of what was around when the DS was launched, it was like something from another planet. Excellent vlog as always Ian .😊

Either of those cars could make me very happy. However, while a good example of either is an absolute joy, a poor example of either is a world of pain.

Two of my favorite cars. The Rover's brilliant engineering was undone by British Leyland's horrific manufacturing methods. But when it was running right the Rover was luxurious and very fast. I also owned a D-Special, just like the one shown here, with a beautiful four-on-the-column shifter. The Citröen was like no other car. Once you've owned one, no matter what comes after, you will always miss the big Citröen. Watching this delightful comparison reminds me how fortunate I was to drive in the 1960s.

Superb head-to-head, Ian. "Deliciously different... different is good". Well said. Please also thank the owner of the two cars - in such super condition - kudos. I agree completely about the uncomfy harsh firm ride of modern cars. Why? Was it 'idiot motoring journalists' taking comfy road cars on test tracks and trying for fast laps, and also lurid tail slides for front page photographs - and then complaining the suspension was too soft!? I don't know. Great video, good camera positions, great driving and excellent commentary. Many thanks. Best wishes.

That Citroen must have been pure science fiction when it was released.

The Citroen was so far ahead of it's time and truly individual design of the likes we will never see again. But I have to say the aesthetics of the Rover both inside and out are more to my taste, not to mention that wonderful V8.

That Citroen was beautiful love it the stile the grace of driving that for me I'd feel like royalty as the rover brilliant video ian

You hit the nail on the head there Ian about ride and comfort . Considering the awful road surfaces we have at the moment. Not only do we have cookie cutter car designs at the moment, but nearly every car has rock hard seats and suspension. Fortunately my 03 S80 I have at the moment has a lovely smooth ride..

I remember when the P 6 Rover came to Aust, I had an Uncle who bought one, it was a luscious car beautiful to ride in and had the lovely smell of leather

Wow. Nearly had tears in my eyes watching this. I grew up in the DS as my father was a manager for Citroen in Paris. I fondly remember the holidays to the south of France effortlessly cruising in the 21. We immigrated to Perth when I was 10 in 1976 and I ended up owning 2 V8 P6s there in the late 1980s. The automatic 3500 and the 3500S which I fitted with the far superior SD1 5speed. Both were immaculate and the manual was in the dark brown like the one here. So this was very special for me. Thank you

The DS is a dream car. Unique design. Two friends drove a DS from Bergen, Norway to Senegal (!) some fifteen years ago. A charity rally Budapest - Dakar. What an adventure! But I do find the hydraulics scary, at least for a DIY guy. And a five speed gear box is a must. I like the elegant, understated Rover as well, of course. But I remember when Norwegian car owners used to buy a LOT of UK cars. Then build quality issues with BL (and also, Vauxhall) made many people switch to Japanese cars. Rovers were not uncommon on our roads 40 years ago, suddenly they all disappeared. While most German and Swedish cars soldiered on. A sad demise of a long-lasting car buying tradition.

My DS21 is a semi-auto - anytime you want to drive it Iain it’s yours!! 😃 Now that a D has been in HubNut I may have to invest in some merch!! 🤣

This brought back fond memories for me, My dad had a 1972 2L TC P6 that took us on our family summer hols all over Europe in the late 70's and whilst there, I remember being fascinated by the DS that were a common sight on the roads of France ... I never appreciated how much they had in common ..

The marvelous P6 is one of the most underrated cars of 60s-70s.

Need an early XJ review now, please.

Isn't it great when you've just watched part 1 and part 2 gets posted!!

Column gear shifters were outstanding, my dad had a Renault 16, I love the shifter, far more natural than a floor shifter.

This is really one of the very best test videos out there. Greta stuff. Thanks!

A bit more P6 commentary - Our local P6 guru told me that one of the things done to get the V8 into the P6 was to widen the front track, and that this slightly compromised the geometry and handling. I've got two P6's, being a 2000TC and a P6B (automatic), and I think he's right. My 2000TC seems much more 'sports saloon' and my late P6B more 'executive barge'. However I've yet to own a 3500S, which from all accounts is the best of the lot. Cheers and thanks for another great video Hubnut.

Deux magnifiques voitures un bonheur à l'oeil, merci beaucoup pour la vidéo :)

Thank you for doing this, I've always wanted to see these two tested back to back. Both brilliant cars in their own unique way.

OK, THAT DOES IT, I need to get my P6 going again.

Loved that Hubnut. So glad we did not have to wait too long, the suspense was killing me.... :-)

Another treat, both such desirable classics. Gosh that P6 is superb though so quiet with go, the 3500S really is wonderful. Thanks for another great test Mr H.

Having owned 4 P6's ( 2x 2000, 2x3500 auto) previously I think number 5 has to be on the shopping list. My original series 1 2000 was great, low reving, tons of torque and would pull in top from ridiculously low speeds. You mention the handling and I was working at Rover at the time and living in Redditch which has lots of roundabouts, the old 2000 could easily be drifted out of them of under power, great fun, safe and predictable. The contemporary road test reports used to refer to the P6's "sports car handling" (bearing in mind a sports car at the time was an MGB).....

Both cars beautifully cared for.would love to have a drive of them.

I was 8 yrs. old in 1956 and lived in a terraced house. My mother’s uncle lived next door and he worked in a local family owned business. The owner used to visit him quite often and he drove an Armstrong Siddeley Star Sapphire which always captivated me. Coming home from school one day I turned onto our street about 100 yards from our houses. Someone had parked a spaceship outside uncle Tommy’s. His boss had bought a DS and this was my first encounter with one. I’ve no words to describe my utter amazement on swing this futuristic object. My friend’s dad had a Ford Prefect ( sit up and beg model), my dad had a 1939 Austin 8, they could have been stagecoaches compared to this unbelievable piece of engineering and design. I’ve been a Citroen devotee ever since. It’s heartbreaking to see what has become of this visionary company but at least they still exist (for now), Rover have unfortunately disappeared. Just to address that constantly leveled accusation of rolling into corners, what do these reviewers expect from a car built for comfort? In real world driving I would much prefer a relaxed, comfortable journey of 100 miles or so rather than a hard riding, bum breaking frenetic rev box in which to travel. I’m sorry but the likes of Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche et al leave me totally cold. Will we see a definite preference of one over the other in episode 3? You should really Ian as both these cars have well deserved admirers and are such “strong meat” as to inspire a preference. I’m not asking which is the best, only which you prefer.

Alway great to see someone enjoying the work in these strange times

Well these two videos are the high water mark of the Hubnut antipodean car tests. Two such interesting cars and a brilliantly informative commentary. So much more fulfilling to have a compare and contrast than just a review of a single car. And what fabulous cars! You really couldn't say which was better so I totally agree with your conclusion. I love the slim pillars of the DS, it's suspension the rear wheels location and it's sharklike shape. The Rover has that huge overhanging boot which isn't pretty. But the Rover's ride, handling and engine set a benchmark and still feels poised and modern. David Bache was at his zenith when he came up with it. First class.

I have owned 4 cars (among many others) which I consider the best road driving experiences of my life: The Rover 3500S, the Citreon ID, the Peugeot 504D, and the Jaguar XJ6 (1971). Passengers in the Rover with me compare its take off the line to taking off in an aeroplane. Build quality could have been better, but a sweetheart car. The Citreon also had quality problems but when it ran right it was magnificent - except the engine, underpowered and a little rough. The Peugeot 504D was a delight, suspension, handling, and a smooth diesel. The Jaguar towers above all, except of course build quality, but perfect handling suspension and a beautiful hemi straight 6, impressive to look at but demanding frequent maintenance were its dominant characteristics. Good video, loved it - brought back these memories.

There is no way to choose between them. They are both wonderful for all the reasons already said. Makes me feel so nostalgic. Cheers

Great video thanks Ian! My two favourite cars together at last. I had a '73 P6 3500 but lusted after an S. One day...

"The DS is not a very aerodynamic car"?? It´s one of the best, actually, in terms of drag factor. Despite the "upright windscreen"! And that´s because it´s very curved, and not flat.

Been doing 10,000 miles a year in my P6 V8 both summer and winter. Perfect practical classic.

This brought back memory's. I had a 1975(N-plate) 3500 auto in that brown, and my father had a 1974( L-plate) DS super 5.

In my grandmothers' village near Bruges in Flanders, I remember a physician called Dr. De Rover. He drove a Rover P6 -remembering the sound it must have been a 3500 - while in Belgium any English car except for the mini was rather an exception.. As a child I was so impressed by this man who had a car called after him. And by the car as well. Rover in Flemish means 'robber' ....

Hey Ian, I wanted to tell you that I love the show, I’m a transplanted Brit from Birmingham living in Nebraska USA. Your show brings back a lot of lovely memories of the cars we owned. I like the fact that you are so down to earth, and your honesty about the cars is refreshing. We owned both of these cars, just different models. and they both had a distinctive charm. I was amazed at the ride comfort in the DS Citroen and how thick the carpets were especially in the back of the car. I honestly didn’t like the look of the car at first because we had a Gold CX. before this DS. (I loved the look of the CX) but After having the car for a while I loved the car and it’s distinctive looks . It’s nice to own something that looks a little different from every other cookie cutter regular car. And this is probably why I own a scion XB today. Cubism is cool! Lol. This is a great comparison video. We had the 4 cylinder baby blue Rover 2000 due to gas costs. I liked the ride in the River also. It also has a nice look and stance. The Rover didn’t have the world class soft ride of the DS but it still had a nice ride for the car. they are both amazing cars in their own right. . Thank you for bringing back some great memories. Keep up the good work. God bless.

Amazing that these cars designed so long ago, deliver such a good ride and handling.

"Following a DS down the road is like you are following Darth Vader". 😂 Love both cars regardless.

Great series and much appreciated. My first car was a P6 2000 TC and my fourth a D Special, followed by a DS21 BVH and, later, a CX and another DS. All passed on to others now, but all missed. A look at the BVH 'Citromatic' would be great if you can get your hands on one. Your series on the GSA is great too, those are even less (like never) seen here in the US than the Ds and P6s.

Nah......certainly no cop out. how could you possibly say one is better than the other! Two wonderful motor cars indeed. Thank you, great video.

Both cars are marvellous in their own ways, but as I've lusted after the DS since my mid/late teens, my vote just has to go to the Goddess. Ace vid as ever, Ian. :)

I used to work on rovers in the mid 70s , i must admit i loved driving the 3500s rover, nto many owners realised there was a hidden tool kit in dashboard, ofter used to get the double ended screwdrivers from the kit !1

Brilliant...two of my all time favorite classic cars in one video, just love the colour of the DS, lovely interior, thank you Ian, fantastic video

I owned a Renault 5 in the early 80's, the original, directly imported from France so a different color from the usual American LeCars. The ride on that tiny car was so great, seats so comfortable! Both of my parents owned Peugeot 504's at the time, equally comfortable. My Nissan SUV has rock-hard seats and a ride to match. I think it's a generational divide between concentrating on comfort and what kids today like...

P6 for me I had a 3500s, white, beige leather, brown sills and a short gear knob registration GOR 457 K . An early car with the high compression engine which I sold when I moved to Switzerland. It was very low mileage and immaculately maintained. It went to a great friend of mine he had it expertly tuned and on premium petrol with lead replacement additive he saw 177 bhp on the rolling road! It was deceptively fast on the motorway 100mph cruise absolutely no problem except it had a full webasto sun roof and the four speed box meant it could be a bit noisy.... as a waft-o-mobile for pootling about with the sun roof fully open.. just the bees knees. Youngsters in their “sorted” motors were more than once surprised and open mouthed if you really opened the taps on them! Downsides? Slightly cramped in the back for anyone over 6’ and when pressing on it could get a bit floaty over a hundred mph. I changed all the shocks and springs for OEM so they were up to speck. Once on the M74 driving home to Glasgow from mid Wales and late at night I was passed by p5 v8 coupé, I was cruising at an indicated 85mph, it was being driven by a silver haired lady who it seemed could only just see over the wheel! That coupé was flat out I followed it for quite a way she was doing well over a hundred! She turned off at Abington and I carried on to Glasgow! Must have been in the late nighties. I was very impressed! Thanks for your video Mr Hubnut :-)

I love both and have owned a DS23 Pallas and the Rover...went on to a P5B....endless trouble but it was almost worth it..all fabulous and couldn't decide...great video thank you :)

What a fun test, the best.Two superb cars, refined, classic, fun, different. Still relevant to day and what a shame we dont get such suspension compliance today.

Next advert slogan from Citroën: Citroën: More floaty. 😎 Please send royalty cheques to HubNut.

In the late 70's an old P6 was the second car I ever owned but it was also, as you so rightly say, one of the most comfortable cars of the time, or any time and with great handling. Mine was a mere 2200TC, the interior was identical with tan leather seats but with a white body - fun late at night coming up behind a boy racer as the police were just retiring them as traffic cars... happy memories.

My mother had a red P6 V8, which I drove a lot. I adored it. My Dad had a XJ6 which I didn't like as much, the Rover seemed more alive. The reserve petrol control on mums car gave you about another 500 yards before it konked out!

How enjoyable was that? In 1987, I bought a '72 P6 2000TC for the grand sum of seventy pounds! In Mexico Brown like this one. I ran it daily for two years and was one of the best cars I ever owned. Didn't Rover want to put the rear lights on top of the D-post, a-la-DeeEs, until Citroen objected? The Citroen's great, if a little whiny on the move, and waiting for the car to rise before setting off is a bit ridiculous. So, it's P6s for me all day long. Thanks, Ian, for great entertainment.

Great review, Ian! I said "Yes!" out loud when you asked why modern cars all ride like s---. I've been hammering my DSafari for 6 years and I'll never be without one now... I'm building a DS for my friend and a Rover 3-litre for my sister, so I'm only slightly sad that you beat me to this terrific comparison, haha! Please stop in if you are ever "in the neighbourhood"... Cheers from here!

Still recall staring in awe at a DS as a child on holiday in Hastings. We were staying at the same hotel as a French family in the early 70s who had one parked outside. And when the suspension rose at the back, to me it was like something out of a sci-fi movie. Guess I was easily pleased at the time!

A bit unfair to compare a D Special with a Rover P6 V8. You should at least have used a Citroen DS 23 Pallas Fuel injection model with 130 HP. Or better still, a Citroen SM! Then the Rover would have had a real challenge! Or, for that matter, used a simpler model of the Rover with a four cylinder engine, if any comparison with the D Special should be made.

Thanks Ian, If I had to choose between the P6 and DS I prefer the P6 better, because of the V8 and it's more conventional suspension. The DS is a beautiful car, but it's hydraulic suspension is a liability and an expense. If it malfunctions the car will not drive, whereas the P6 doesn't have that problem. Citroen invested it's efforts into building an the amazing hydraulic suspension, when they could have installed a V8 and a more conventional suspension and probably sold it for the same money, and that I think would have be better. Never the less, I am always impressed with the old Citroens, they're very French, very cool and I like them.

Autocar did this very comparison in the 70s as a "Best Used Buy" test, probably after the arrival of the CX and SD1. The conclusion was essentially that some people like a Citroen and others like a Rover.

Ian, enjoyed both parts of this road test comparison very much! Thankyou.

Another great review Ian. Thanks for the details with two beauties.

I remember as a child in the '70's, Christopher Lee drove a black DS in one of Disney's Witch Mountain films. I thought it was pretty futuristic back then. Thanks for the memories Ian, much appreciated 😎

The picture switch from DS to P6 perfectly contrasts the interior differences between these two beauties. A great comparison between two utterly relaxing and stylish drives.

This short series of 3 videos is arguably your best work yet. Seriously good work Ian, I really enjoyed these.

A great video(!); I think I would, by a small margin, go for the Rover; (as an aside, the SD1’s live axle had a torque tube, like the 505 estate)

Two of my favourite cars in one video -- brilliant! I had 2 P6's long ago, but never a DS. Did have 3 GS's though!

I went to test drive a 1973 DS that was advertised for $2500 in Salt Lake Tribune classified ads back in 1981. Great thanks to gentleman selling it to let a 17 year old punk take it for a most memorable test drive. I have only seen maybe 1 or 2 other Citroens in the USA since then.

Give me comfort over speed any day. I had a rover 2000 sc and a v8 loved them both.

After day of hard work from home, watching a video of cars I hope to drive myself one day (I don't think I will ever own one) is a real treat. Thank you for this video Ian.

Hi Ian, awesome video,nice road test on these two,the P6 Rover were used as a police car,for cornering they stuck the road well,the Citroen handled is well too.

Like HubNut, I am baffled as to why we are expected to suffer the iron hard suspension of modern cars. I have only had one German car, an Audi 100GL, it was horrid. The suspension was harsh, yet it rolled on corners, and the seats had less give than orange boxes, and that's before I get started on the dire reliability. Why I accepted it I do not know, but I didn't keep it long and having been a passenger in BMW's, VW's and Mercedes, I would never buy another German car. I quickly discovered and enjoyed the comfort of French suspension with a string of Renault machinery. I had 4's which were very comfortable and heeled over hilariously on corners, 5's were similar, although the TS wasn't quite so roly-poly. The 12 was a nice compromise between soft ride and excessive roll, indeed I rallied a 12 for a couple of years, but the finest Renault of all was the glorious 16. I had a TL with the late 1565cc engine. It rode the rough East Anglian lanes in magnificent comfort, and while it was a roly-poly cornerer, I well remember having a lot of fun through a set of roundabouts at the expense of a (not very well driven) MK1 Mexico. Sadly the corrosion destroyed the rear suspension mountings and it went the way of so many of it's kin. Like the DS, the R16 had a superb column gearshift as well.

Got to love the DS! One of my dream cars.

The recess in the top of the dashboard, under the RV- mirror on The D Special is in fact the original mount of the radio speaker!

Interesting comparison. As I think I've mentioned in another of your videos, I owned a P6 V8 automatic back in the early 1980's and loved it to bits. It was a bit thirsty around town and a bugger to park as it didn't have power steering, but I used to get 28 mpg on a run and it was a joy to drive with bags of power and a lovely smooth ride. I've driven a DS a couple of times and found it a bit strange, only because it's such a different experience to a "normal" car, but there's no doubt that it was years ahead of its time. Here in Spain they're known as the "Tiburón" (shark) because of their shape.

I love that DS in that colour and interior trim!

Various family members had a range of P6s during the late 1960s early 1970s, they were great cars. Not without their build quality faults, my favourite of which was the vinyl roof that filled with air at high speed. As a child, I remember being a passenger in a P6 V8 doing 100mph for the first time, naughty naughty.

I would have to have a gun to my head to decide which one of these to own, lucky lucky guy to have them both together!

In the 1973 Rover V8 automatic I had I really couldn't tell whether the engine was running when driving around town at 30MPH. I let the tank run out more than once, relying too much on the presence of an auxiliary tank. The car just slowed down, with no perceptible change in sound. It was quite a disturbing feeling. The little sound I heard was dominated by road noise.

Fantastic. Boy is the DS engine rough. The 4 cyl variant of the P6 is famously not the smoothest but easily beats the DS.

I have saved these two videos for a chilled zone, this is awesome.

The two videos covering these cars is definitely going in my favourites box! 👍

My father had a yellow (not sure exactly what Rover called the colour) P6 in the 80's when I was a kid. It was a 3500 S manual. He adapted an SD1 5 speed box to fit. Apparently it was pretty much a straight fit, except for a bit of machining to reduce the length of the propshaft. I loved that car. I also loved his other Rover at around the same time. A 1983 SD1 3500 SE Police Spec. Meaning poverty spec, in the pursuit of the lowest possible weight. It was a South Yorkshire motorway patrol car, bought from auction at around 3 years old.

Very interesting comparison . I am getting to quite like P6s . I knew nothing much about them but they have been growing on me , thanks to Classic Britain channel. I also love the DS . I ABSOLUTELY LOVE COLUMN CHANGE. Love manual on the column. Have always had vehicles with column change , (Commented below). Also - the DS was Leonard Cohen's car of choice. His own personal car was a DS . (For anyone into Leonard Cohen) .

A friend had a P6 3500 auto late 70's/early 80's. Loved the V8 rumble and the oomph. I then got a DS 21 Pallas with the semi-auto box. I so enjoyed that car, but hadn't the knowledge, time or funds to keep it as I would have wanted. The great pity of these cars was the agricultural power plant when everything else was so exceptionally refined. Given the chance, I would like to take a DS and find a way of slipping a smooth 6 cylinder under that hood. It so merits the silky quietness of 6 cylinder to make it close to perfection. I don't know about the blue one you have there, but the Pallas had a twin horn: position one for town, pull it further back and you got the benefit of a twin air horn to carry you through the bigger roads. And lastly, if you have never driven the semi-auto, I defy you to work out how to start it :)

I reckon a lot of the reason for newer cars not riding as well is because of the modern tendency to have absolutely enormous wheels, along with the cars themselves being lighter due to smaller engines and better materials--that discrepancy between unsprung weight and the weight of the car isn't something you can work round no matter what suspension you fit.

Great! É um prazer conhecer carros que eu nunca vi pessoalmente.

What a tremendous video Ian, that looked enormous fun and two cars on my ultimate wishlist. Thanks.

I have a 1959 Mk1 Jaguar, a 1983 XJ6 and a 2005 X Type. The ride on a Mk1 is lovely, the XJ6 is simply sublime and the X Type is nice, but much harder than the older Jaguars which soak up some shocking Australian roads perfectly.

I would like to spend a week with the DS, get to know it and experience the car properly. However, I would want to own the P6...

I've been looking forward to that one ever since you hinted at it some weeks ago. I was not disappointed. Excellent job. I would have to agree with you that you cna't choose one over the other, just have them both. Video of the month. Excellent work Ian.

Great, enjoyable road test. Both excellent cars. I agree the P6 was a fine handling car, you could take to it's limits without fear of the thing tripping over it's self, as I found with my Series IV Super Snipe, you can go round corners quite fast in my Series V strangely due to anti-roll bar on the rear! Would love to drive a DS one day.

The seat has always been the last suspension point. If you've ever driven a car perched on a solid 'chair' you'll know what I mean. The Rover P6 gets things exactly right, you can feel the suspension working, but in the most comfortable and informative way.

I wanted a Ds for 14yrs then moved to Australia where there was a place that restored them 5min away, that made me want one even more. When I moved back to Manchester I bought myself one and 2yr into a full restoration. Absolutely fantastic cars. I also wanted a P6 strangely!! F.E

Great video watched both of them and I had been a fan of the DS but the Rover proves that they were the leaders in building better motor cars. I hate the system the DS has for changing flat tyres was rubbish.

The Ciroen hydropneumatic suspenison has the very best roadholding combined with the best comfort! Nothing that simple coil springs ever can rival! And it has norhing to do with "soft suspension" at all. The hydropneumatics is much more advanced than that, and no conventional system today even comes close!

I had a 72 DSuper with a 5 speed manual gearbox. A big improvement on the 4 speed version that tended to whine a bit. I had it for 13 years and it was a joy to own and drive. No other car attracted as much attention as the DS. The first model DS had even more plush suspension than the later models - though all of them are amazing to drive. As James May of Top Gear fame said "It's like driving on a bed of fluid". Quite.

As someone who has owned 4 P6's I am biased in favour ot the rover!! But!!! I really like the DS interior! My P6's all rode beautifully, and when the sad day came when my last 2200sc was 14 years old i went an bought a ....Renault 9....Why? Because it rode very similar to my P6...To be very honest the P6 was the finest car I have ever owned to this day!...The renault, well it did a job! I really appreciate what you do Mr Hubnut. Thankyou!