Tested: Citroën C5 Aircross  

Sharing is caring!

C-Series Edition 1.6 petrol Plug-In Hybrid model driven

WHAT IS IT?

Citroën’s family sized five-seater crossover SUV – recently revamped with revised looks, trim levels and technology. Available in petrol, diesel or plug-in hybrid versions, it’s the PHEV model we review here.

THE GOOD THINGS

• 2022’s makeover may have been more an update to the car originally launched in 2017 than an all-new product, but it’s given the C5 Aircross a fresh and appealing appearance that marks it out in a category where rivals tend to look much the same. The air bump bubble wraps accentuate the all-terrain appearance while also protecting the lower bodywork.
• Citroën’’s calling card is comfort and the C5 Aircross delivers. Notably Citroën’s Advanced Comfort Seats offer just the right mix of support and relaxation. In combination with the brand’s unique suspension with Progressive Hydraulic Cushions, the C5 Aircross is one of the most comfortable cars on sale, while relaxed handling dynamics suit a passenger carrying car like this.
• Choices of petrol, diesel and hybrid power units mean there is a C5 Aircross to meet most needs.

THE NOT SO GOOD THINGS

• No seven seat option.
• Citroën promise a range of up to 55km on electric power, but in practice we struggled to get more than 34 km from a full charge. So unless your daily commute is close to home, you’ll end up having to revert to petrol power fairly often.
• The rear seats slide back and forth, but even at their most extended, legroom for adult passengers in the second row is tight.
• Dash materials below the eye line feel distinctly cheap and plasticky compared to those higher up, lowering the overall ambiance of the cabin.

VERDICT

As a comfortable, practical five-seater passenger car, the C5 Aircross ticks most boxes. The facelift has given it an appealing up-to-date appearance, while it stands out from other crossover SUVs for its comfortable ride. We’d like a slightly better electric driving range but otherwise our only minor gripe is that rear legroom could be better.

OUR RATING

9/10

SPEC CHECK