The Citroen C5 Aircross tries to play by the rules of the crossover segment and at the same time demonstrate its own originality in some solutions. Does it succeed well? What are the advantages and disadvantages of the car? How much does it cost? I'll tell you all about it!
Citroen C5 Aircross design: soft shapes, sharp lines
The first phrase about soft shapes refers to the general description of the body and design of the Citroen C5 Aircross crossover as it was released more than five years ago. But the mention of sharp lines refers to the update that took place two years ago and affected several details. So it turned out a little strange: the surfaces of the wings and doors, the line of the windows, the trunk lid - everything is made in rather soft shapes; but the headlights and the decorative line between them, the new grille, the lights with separate segments - these are already made in sharp straight lines. Plus, add in the new PULSAR wheels, which appeared just in time for the car's refresh.
With its design, the Citroen C5Aircross crossover seems to be trying to combine two worlds: the overall soft bulge of the body and the straight lines of individual elements. Take a look at the original design of the Citroen C5Aircross (latest photos in the gallery) and compare it with the current one: the car's update brought it new headlights and lights, which now have more horizontal straight lines and well-defined angles. Moreover, the crossover Citroen C5Aircross seems to be trying to occupy an intermediate position between the C-SUV and D-SUV classes in terms of dimensions: length - 4.5 meters; width - 1.87 meters; height - 1.69 meters; wheelbase - 2.73 meters.
These dimensions are already enough to create a fairly spacious interior. By the way, the update of the Citroen C5 Aircross brought it a modified front with a separately mounted and enlarged 10-inch display, under which there are horizontal ventilation deflectors; however, all these are features of the maximum configuration of the car. The mid-range version is equipped with an 8-inch display that is inscribed between the vertical deflectors. So, if you are considering buying a Citroen C5 Aircross, pay attention to this - the layout of the front panel differs depending on the configuration of the car.
But in the back, everything has remained unchanged: the Citroen C5 Aircross crossover offers a lot of space and three separate seats. Among the advantages of this solution is the ability to adjust these seats as you like: you can move them forward/backward, you can change the angle of the backrest. Another advantage is the ability to actually transport three people: they will receive almost the same amount of space and seating comfort. This solution also has some drawbacks. For example, there is no armrest. Moreover, if you fold down the center seat and try to use it instead of an armrest, it will still be uncomfortable - the backrest goes down too low, it is too wide and forces the right/left passenger to move towards the door. In addition, it opens a giant opening to the trunk, from where the sounds of rattling luggage can come out. I also think that it is because of this complicated seat design that it was not possible to integrate heating, which is strange, given the car's family orientation. However, we managed to make an almost flat floor, above which the console with ventilation deflectors rises.
So here's the story with the rear of the Citroen C5 Aircross: if one or two passengers are often riding behind you, this car will raise unpleasant questions; however, if three people are often behind you, this car will be a real find.
The interior in general: pleasant materials, a new dedicated display, a digital instrument cluster, soft armchair seats in front and three separate seats in the back. The latter are a rather specific solution: they offer both interesting advantages and disadvantages. The trunk is large (580-720 liters) and well organized.
Technology: familiar platform and turbo diesel, little-known PHEV hybrid
The Citroen C5 Aircross is built on the EMR2 platform, which is well known from many models of Peugeot, Citroen, DS, Opel. Accordingly, the features of this platform are also well known: independent front suspension of the McPherson type, usually semi-dependent rear suspension (although there are also versions with fully independent suspension), transverse installation of 3- or 4-cylinder engines, usually front-wheel drive; but also the possibility of building PHEV-hybrids (Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle) with all-wheel drive.
And the latter points are worth a separate discussion. Here it is worth mentioning the Peugeot 3008, DS 7 Crossback, Opel Grandland, which at one time received a very interesting Plug-In hybrid: a gasoline turbo engine, plus electric motors in front and behind, a fully independent rear suspension, and a battery to power the hybrid. Such hybrids produced a total power of 300 hp and allowed for 4x4 all-wheel drive, even if it was with a separate electric drive for the rear wheels. And such cars - at least Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4 and DS 7 Crossback E-Tense - were sold in Ukraine. However, the Citroen C5 Aircross crossover once received a somewhat simplified PHEV hybrid: it also had a gasoline turbo engine and an electric motor, it also had a battery and independent rear suspension; however, it did without a rear electric motor - and therefore it had less power (225 hp) and only front-wheel drive.
The car is built on the well-known EMR2 platform. Similarly, the 2.0 BlueHDi S&S diesel engine of theDW series 10, which is installed under the hood of the test vehicle: cast iron block, turbine and intercooler, cylinder diameter of 85 mm and piston stroke of 88 mm (almost a "square engine"). The diesel engine is paired with a traditional hydromechanical 8-speed automatic transmission EAT8 from Aisin. The highlight of the model is the Plug-Inhybrid, which is also sold in Ukraine; however, even in this case, theCitroen C5Aircross still has only front-wheel drive. This PHEV-hybrid produces 225 hp of power and 360 Nm of torque. Interestingly, the turbo diesel is inferior in terms of power (180 hp at 3750 rpm), but wins in terms of torque (400 Nm at 2000 rpm). The diesel promises us acceleration from 0-100 km/h in 9.4 seconds, a top speed of 211 km/h, fuel consumption on the highway of 4.5 liters per 100 km, and fuel consumption in the city of 5.5 liters per 100 km. So...
Behind the wheel: excellent traction, excellent comfort
How many times have you heard those phrases about a two-liter juice box under the hood... The Citroen C5 Aircross does have a two-liter engine under the hood - but it's not two liters of liquid juice, it's two liters of thick torque smoothie puree. Even though the start is smooth and unhurried, the car accelerates very well on the move. The turbo diesel engine wakes up at 1300-1500 rpm and then fills the midrange with excellent thrust, which translates into excellent acceleration: unbroken, thick lava pours out to the front wheels through the mechanisms of the 8-speed automatic transmission. The latter changes its gears quickly and imperceptibly, further emphasizing the impression of this continuous laminar flow of acceleration. Needless to say, such a turbo diesel and automatic are excellent not only in the city, but also on the highway? After all, there is enough traction and dynamics for any fast, and therefore calm overtaking: the car gives you a sense of confidence that it will definitely make it.
This engine makes the Citroen C5 Aircross not a sprinter, but a stalker. And this character is perfectly matched by a very comfortable suspension. The use of PCC (Progressive Hydraulic Cushions) technology has made it possible to make shock absorbers with a large range of stem travel and progressive response depending on the stem travel. In combination with soft springs, Citroen says, all this creates the effect of "flying on a magic carpet."
I'm not going to argue, just to reiterate the fact that the suspension is really very comfortable. The Citroen C5 Aircross crossover is definitely one of the softest cars among similar competitors. And this relaxed mood is perfectly matched by the lightweight steering wheel, which makes three turns from stop to stop. It's as if it's not a steering wheel at all, but a steering wheel that you use to set the course of a large ship; it sways so smoothly on the waves of the road and lays out at every turn. Someone will mention seasickness, but I will note: but the Citroen C5 Aircross protects passengers from the troubles of broken roads as much as possible. Once again: excellent comfort!
Finally, a few words about off-roading. Please note that the declared ground clearance is 23 centimeters; but this is a feature of the ground clearance measurement in the center of the body. If we talk about the lowest point under the engine crankcase and crankcase protection, the ground clearance is already about 18 centimeters. Now add exclusively front-wheel drive and a fairly soft suspension that allows the body to sway, and you get the general picture of off-road behavior: you need to drive in a whisper. But the Grip Control system can help you overcome mud, snow, and sand - it selectively brakes the wheels, sometimes allows them to slip for self-cleaning of the tread, and controls the smoothness of the engine's response to the accelerator pedal. This is not a replacement for all-wheel drive; but the capabilities of the Citroen C5 Aircross should be enough to take the family for a picnic by the side of a forest or river.
During acceleration, the turbo diesel fills the cabin with a barely perceptible hum, but fills the moments with very noticeable thrust and good acceleration! The impression of acceleration on the go is much better than the 0-100 km/h measurement figures when starting from a standstill: it turns out to be 9.3-9.6 seconds, depending on the selected driving mode and start method. By the way, in SPORT mode, the automatic transmission tries to keep a gear lower, and the steering wheel becomes a little heavier - sometimes you can let off steam to enjoy comfort again. There is also an ECO mode and several off-road modes. Fuel consumption in the city is 7-8 liters per 100 km (depending on traffic jams or lack thereof and the driver's driving style); fuel consumption when driving on the highway at a speed of about 100 km/h is kept at 5 liters.
Cost: how much does the Citroen C5 Aircross cost and who is the rival
Speaking of the 2024 Citroen C5 Aircross, the price list looks quite simple: one engine (the above-described 2-liter turbodiesel) and two trim levels, plus options.
The range of the Citroen C5 Aircross model is opened by the FEEL version, which offers the following: ABS and ESP systems, front and side airbags, inflatable side curtains, cruise control with speed limiter, collision warning and emergency braking, lane departure warning, Grip Control for improved off-road traction, RNS suspension dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, multimedia system with 8-inch touchscreen display, cloth seats, rearview camera, keyless entry and push-button start, LED headlights, 18-inch alloy wheels. The cost of Citroen C5Aircross 2.0 BlueHDi 180 S&S automatic transmission-8FEEL starts from UAH 1.3 million or almost $32 thousand.
One level higher is the Citroen C5 Aircross in the SHINE trim, which adds the following: adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, adaptive high beams, power trunk lid, power driver's seat adjustments, Alcantara seat trim, 10-inch central touchscreen display, fog lights with side beam function, 360-degree surround view cameras, black roof, etc. The cost of Citroen C5Aircross 2.0 BlueHDi 180 S&S automatic transmission 8 SHINE starts from UAH 1.46 million or $35.6 thousand.
It is also worth noting the 2023 Citroen C5 Aircross cars, which are still on sale and offered in other versions and modifications. For example, among the 2023 Citroen C5 Aircross cars, you can find variants in the expanded FEEL PACK or SHINE PACK configurations, as well as a version with the above-described Plug-In hybrid.
The Citroen C5Aircross crossover is the flagship SUV of the brand line in Ukraine, and therefore the equipment is appropriate: LED-headlights, many security systems, 360-degree view, digital instrument panel. Among the interesting (and expensive) options, the only ones left to add are an all-leather interior with massage seats and a large panoramic glass roof. However, even with these options, the price of the car will approach or barely cross the 1.5 million UAH ($36.5-37 thousand) mark,which is quite adequate in these times and against the background of competitors.
Speaking of competitors. If we look at crossovers in the D-SUV segment, almost all of them will be more expensive, but they also offer many advantages: larger dimensions, all-wheel drive, spacious 5- or 7-seater interiors, and more attention to rear passengers. It turns out that the Citroen C5 Aircross crossover is better to compare with rivals in a half-class or lower? Then it is worth noting the Nissan Qashqai e-Power, Honda ZR-V, Jeep Compass: they are similar or even smaller in size, and the situation is similar with the interior space; such cars are available only with front-wheel drive; the only key difference is that instead of turbo diesel, gasoline-electric hybrids are used here.
However, I think that the most difficult competitors are the other three cars - Mazda CX-5, Hyundai Tucson, Toyota RAV4. After all, here you can find front or all-wheel drive, a powerful gasoline engine, an economical diesel or hybrid, a comfortable 5-seater interior, comparable equipment and prices. As you can see, there are a lot of competitors - and the Citroen C5 Aircross will not have an easy time of it. However, it is definitely not going to stand aside in the race for the buyer's wallet and confidently relies on its own advantages. So...