New Citroen C5 Aircross

Citroen’s latest SUV is expected to arrive later this year and is described as tech-heavy and the perfect car for family car journeys. As you know, the original Citroen C5 was a family saloon, which was up against the Ford Mondeo and Vauxhall Insignia – due to a steady decrease in sales and interest, Citroen made the decision to axe the model from their range. However, the C5 is back in 2018 with a complete makeover, so much so, that we wouldn’t even recognise it. It’s now against the likes of the Nissan Qashqai, Kia Sportage and SEAT Ateca, we explore what the new Citroen C5 Aircross has got to offer to fellow motorists.

What engines of the new Citroen C5 Aircross are there to choose from? Currently being offered to the Chinese-market is a pair of 165hp and 200hp petrol engines, however, when it eventually arrives in Europe, we are expecting Citroen to offer the four diesel engines too. These being two 1.6-litre units, with one producing 98hp and 118hp and then the other two are much powerful in the 2.0-litre engine, offering 148hp and 178hp – these are borrowed from the Peugeot 3008.

All the engines are being fitted with a six-speed automatic gearbox as standard.

It is worth mentioning that a hybrid model will also be introduced to the market, it will have the combination of efforts being generated by a 200hp petrol engine driving the front wheels and two 50hp electric motors powering the rears. The purpose of this make-up is to provide Citroen drivers with the benefit of improved performance and reduced fuel consumption over standard petrol or diesel models.

Is the new Citroen C5 Aircross great to drive? When driving the new Citroen C5 Aircross, road and engine noises are kept to a minimum, although there is a shudder from the stop-start, as the engine kicks back into the swing of things.

The visibility is satisfactory due to the large acreage of glass, but it fails to impress when trying to gain better visuals of the road from the rear-view mirror, thereby you're relying more on the blind-spot warning indicators.

Citroen has implemented twelve different driving aids to better the safety levels and improve overall driver experience, these including active cruise control and PSA’s AEBS2 active safety braking system (this is designed to stop the car in emergency situations). There are also five settings to choose from for the type of traction control you prefer, these consisting of systems like snow, wet and off-road, so this car will be great for every weather condition the UK throws at us, regardless of it not coming in four-wheel drive.

The new Citroen C5 Aircross will offer a fantastic driver experience, as the C5 Aircross is the first ever model to feature the brand’s new Progressive Hydraulic Cushion suspension system. This system has been inputted, along with conventional springs and shock absorbers, to serve the purpose to boost hydraulic bump stops to reduce the jolting effect of pothole and speedbumps.

Has the exterior of the new Citroen C5 Aircross changed completely? Citroen design this model as “an SUV ready to seize the moment”, and we feel it definitely does, as its exterior styling is muscular and sturdy, with balanced, flowing lines and compelling graphics.

It has a large front bumper, huge silver-ringed air intakes and menacing squinting headlights – which all share the same characteristics of the C4 Cactus and the C3. However, things change when its inputted on a large SUV, as the Citroen’s signature “Airbump” plastic mouldings, full-width chevron grille motif and floating roof design look even more imposing.

With Citroen’s DNA splashed all over it, it’s exterior has the two-tier lighting signature, front and rear technological lights, roof bars, a compelling range of colours to choose from and a new take on the Airbump®. The car will come with 85 body and roof colour combinations.

Is the interior of the new Citroen C5 Aircross been given a complete makeover? If you’re style-conscious when it comes to choosing a new car, then you’ll have no doubts when it comes to the new Citroen C5 Aircross. Inside it is visually appealing to the eye, as there are numerous brown inserts offsetting the charcoal grey Claudia leather seats. The materials aren’t as plush as in rivals like the Volkswagen Tiguan or the Renault Kadjar, though, feeling more on par with cheaper models like the MG GS. Hard touch plastics dominate, and the leather doesn’t feel particularly premium, although it’s highly likely European cars will see an improvement.

Citroen have pulled out all the stops when it comes to interior design, this including the addition of the panoramic sunroof – this feature allows the cabin to feel light and airy. In the top-spec cars, it will feature finely-stitched leather seats with heating and massage functions for the driver and front-seat passenger.

Also, within the new SUV it features a digital instrument cluster (this is like the i-Cockpit design in the 3008) alongside an 8.0in touchscreen infotainment system on the centre console. This console offers smartphone connectivity including Apple CarPlay and Mirrorlink and satellite navigation. Citroen Connect is also introduced in the new C5 Aircross, delivering plenty of convenient features – such as giving real time information on traffic, parking and fuel prices.

Furthermore, in terms of space, rear passengers will be delighted to know that they are treated to plenty of headroom, however, the legroom could be improved with the front seats set back. It differentiates from the C3 Aircross, as the rear seats neither slide nor reclines, however, they do feature an easy release mechanism for folding them down, and the boot floor can be raised to offer a flat floor.

The all-important boot gives a respective 516-litres – which obliterates the Ford Kuga’s 406-litre load bay. Furtherly, it features an electric tailgate featuring foot activation, therefore if you’ve got plenty of food shopping in your hands, you’ve covered.

To conclude, the C5 Aircross will go on sale later this year and is expected to cost £22,000, although if you were interested in the hybrid model, it could set you back £30,000. We believe the cost is realistic, due to the tech and styling including within the new Citroen C5 Aircross.

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