CITROEN

The increasingly rare virtue that you'll now almost exclusively find in the Citroën C5 Aircross

There are so many C-segment SUV models (i.e., models measuring around 4.5 meters in length) that we sometimes overlook some that have been around for a while, but which offer a rather notable and increasingly rare virtue. This is the case with the Citroën C5 Aircross and the advantage we're about to tell you about.

The model actually has little new about it; it hit the market in 2019 as an alternative to the C4 Picasso (which was a minivan, not an SUV), and in 2022 it underwent an update that was most noticeable from the outside thanks to the new headlights with dual daytime running lights, although the grille, bumpers, and taillights were also modified. This was also used to replace the 8-inch infotainment system screen with a 10-inch one, redesign the climate control buttons, and replace the gear selector with a smaller one. This, in a nutshell, is what we remembered from the last time we drove it. But we've gotten back behind the wheel to see how it compares to the rivals it has seen over the past two seasons. In our case, looking at it, it's inevitable to conclude that its appearance has aged.

It's true that the front end gives this C5 the look of a modern Citroën, but the side and rear lines, like the dash lines, feature a rounded shape that's no longer seen in the French brand's latest models, such as the new C3. Or as the prototype of the next C5 Aircross has already shown. And that's something that reminds us of its age compared to more "fresh" rivals.

The perceived quality of the materials is appropriate for a car that has always aimed to be in the lower mid-range of this segment's price range. This isn't a flaw, but rather a positioning that seems reasonable to us. That is to say, there are very rigid plastics on the inside of the doors and even on the dashboard, although the front of the dashboard has padding that improves its appearance and feel.

But this feeling is compounded by its practicality, as the controls are located within easy reach, there are specific spaces to leave a credit card or items like keys on the left side of the dashboard, the glove compartment and door bins are spacious, it has an induction charger, and the information on the gauge cluster is very clear. Of course, if you want to dim the illumination of the gauge cluster and the central screen because you're traveling at night, you have to navigate through menus and submenus in a procedure that seems slow and unintuitive.

But it is in this interior that we once again recall what is perhaps its greatest asset: its three rear seats. This is not a car in which the center seat is a burden compared to the side seats. In fact, it may even be the favorite, as this French model takes advantage of its generous interior width to offer three independent seats that offer similar comfort, and which can also be moved independently forward or backward using rails.

A comfortable space... If we add to this the fact that the floor in the back is very flat, that there are separate air conditioning vents, that the knee room is considerable, and that having a separate center seat doesn't detract from the comfort of the side seats, we think we're looking at the true heir to the forgotten minivans in terms of comfort. And to this we must add that the trunk also deserves the epithet "family-friendly," boasting 580 liters of capacity measured up to the canvas with the rear seats in the rearmost position.

As for the engine, we tested the non-plug-in hybrid variant, which is actually a micro-hybrid (its 48V system) and features a 1.2-liter, 3-cylinder gasoline engine delivering 136 hp, and an electric motor with 29 hp, in this case powered by a 0.89 kWh battery.

Micro-hybrid... Citroën claims a combined power output of 145 hp, which translates to a top speed of 200 km/h and a 0-100 km/h time of 10.2 s. But the best part is that its hybrid system allows the car to move in 100% electric mode, even if only for the first few meters. Official fuel consumption is 5.4 l/100 km on the approved cycle, which, after extensive city use, increased to 6.6 l/100 km for us.

As for the driving experience, they're somewhat contradictory. On the one hand, we love the comfort of the seats, something Citroën has tended to put a lot of effort into in recent years. But on the other, the suspension makes the car pitch a little more than usual at very low speeds, even when you start off smoothly in the garage. And this catches our attention because it then holds up quite well on the road.

Paddle shifters, but not very sporty... And another notable detail, beyond the steering and brakes that inspire confidence, is the six-speed transmission. It aims to offer a sporty feel by incorporating paddle shifters, but since these are made of plastic, they don't offer a solid feel or translate into quick gear changes, so we naturally choose to let the car shift gears as it pleases.

The Max version, the highest in the range, already comes with tinted rear windows, a navigation system connected to the 10-inch screen, front and rear parking sensors, a rearview camera, hands-free entry and start, dual-zone climate control, and more. In terms of safety, it adds lane departure warning and assist, active cruise control, low-beam assist, the Citroën Connect box system (which calls emergency services in the event of an accident), a blind spot detection system, and more.

The price of this model with the Eco label, and we repeat that this is the most equipped version, is 38,700 euros.

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