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Ten Second Review

Citroen's C5 Aircross has always been a value-based mid-sized family SUV with a focus on comfort. Well this second generation version also has a rather more assertive personality, plus a much nicer, more sophisticated cabin - and the option of a full-EV drivetrain for the first time.

Background

Citroen urgently needs a change of direction in a market where it's now routinely being out-sold by far smaller brands. And lately, it's been getting it, with a fresh emphasis on value and a new angular design approach that's particularly evident with the model we look at here, the second generation C5 Aircross. This car's predecessor, introduced in 2018 then significantly updated in 2022, was a strong seller for Citroen, mainly because it focused on one of the company's defining brand virtues - comfort. But time moves on and in recent years, the C5 Aircross was becoming increasingly over-looked in its segment, with its value territory invaded by new models like Dacia's Bigster. Hence the need for this larger, more advanced model which shares the 'STLA Medium' platform used in its two Stellantis Group cousins, the Vauxhall Grandland and the Peugeot 3008. That in turn has allowed the C5 Aircross to also offer an EV version for the first time. Let's take a closer look.

Engines and Tech Spec

The combustion engine range looks pretty familiar, still purely based around front wheel drive and auto transmission. There's no longer a diesel option, things kicking off instead with a 48V Hybrid model now offering 143bhp from its 1.2-litre three cylinder unit, which drives via a six-speed dual clutch gearbox. The alternative is a Plug-in Hybrid, which uses a 1.6-litre four cylinder unit now mated to a 21kWh battery, with drive via a seven-speed dual clutch auto transmission. Citroen quotes a PHEV model EV range figure of 53 miles. There are three PHEV drive modes - Hybrid, Electric and Sport. What's completely new is the concept of an all-electric C5 Aircross. There are two versions, the more affordable one using a 73kWh (usable) capacity battery capable of up to 323 miles of range. The alternative is a 97kWh battery variant which uses 228bhp motor and offers a range of up to 423 miles. As before, Citroen describes the experience you still get here as 'travelling Premier Class', but what exactly, does that mean? Something significant surely, given that one of this car's main selling points is a unique 'Progressive Hydraulic Cushion' suspension system. The name of this model might suggest this to be an air-sprung set-up, while the current trend might suggest it to be driver-adaptive. Neither of these solutions though, fits with the approach Citroen must take at this price point. The company lost money building too much damping complexity into its affordable cars in the '60's and '70's and in developing this SUV, it wasn't about to make the same mistake again. So what we've got here instead is an ordinary everyday spring-and-damper set-up that's been re-imagined in a rather clever way. In ordinary cars, such a system usually works with rubber bumps stops that the suspension coil crashes against over bumps at the top and bottom of wheel travel. The 'Progressive Hydraulic Cushions' set-up replaces these stops with hydraulic dampers. These cushion those impacts over things like speed humps and tarmac tears and allow the fitment of softer springs and dampers, producing the exemplary ride quality that Citroen claims this car can deliver.

Design and Build

This is a very different kind of C5 Aircross, all angular and techy - in contrast to the curvy original. The switch to a more advanced 'STLA Medium' platform has allowed it to become quite a lot bigger too, the 4,652mm length being 152mm longer than before. It's also much more aerodynamic than the original design, aided by a groove above the rear wheel arch that funnels air along the side through so-called 'light wings' - a couple of narrow rear light strips that protrude from the body. But there's still 200mm of ground clearance. And big wheel sizes up to 20-inches. Unusually, it's the rear that makes the biggest style statement. Instead of the light bar now fashionable in this class, the interesting graphic is made up of three red horizontal strakes linked by a black gloss panel. It's equally striking inside, where Citroen's tried to create what it calls a 'C-Zen Lounge' where 'occupants are seated as if in a living room'. Hence the sofa-like foam padding on the dashboard and quilted 'Advanced Comfort' seats you sink into that can be adjusted in ten directions and can include a massaging function. The upper part of the seat is shaped to 'wrap around you like a shawl'. The 'Cascade' centre monitor which flows out of the centre console is the largest yet fitted to a Stellantis Group model, plus there's a 10-inch instrument screen and a head-up display. In the back, the big disappointment is the lack of the previous model's individual sliding seats. There's just a fixed bench, but you will have more room to move about, with 51mm more knee space and 68mm more head room than before. Plus the backrest can be reclined between 21 and 33-degrees, 'adding to the sensation of travelling first class'. The boot is also bigger, now 651-litres, with a 75-litre space beneath the floor. There are no catches to fold the rear bench but with everything flat, up to 1,668-litres of space is available.

Market and Model

Expect a starting price for this second generation C5 Aircross of around £35,000 (in 48V Hybris form), with PHEV and e-C5 Aircross models likely to be priced from around £40,000 upwards. There are the usual 'Plus' and 'Max' trim levels, with the latter necessary on the EV if you don't want to have to pay extra for a heat pump to maintain range in cold weather. The EV can also be upgraded to include a 22kW onboard charger. And can come with vehicle-to-load charging so that you can power external devices from the car's drive battery - like laptops and lights. Despite the value pricing, equipment levels are strong. And there are lots of driver aids course, apart from the usual automated emergency braking, Lane assist and speed limit warning features. An available 'Drive Assist 2.0' pack includes extended blind spot detection (scanning up to 75-metres behind the car) and a lane-change system that allows semi-automated motorway lane changes above 43mph with a press of a steering wheel button. There's also a 'VisioPark 360' camera system offering a whole range of manoeuvring views. Citroen wants to emphasise this second generation model's eco-credentials. Some of the plastics used in the doors and centre console are partly made from harvested burgundy vines that would otherwise be burnt. And around 160kg of this model's metal parts are recycled, while 47kg of the car's plastic comes from environmentally-friendly sources. Recycled fabric is used for the seats and there's no real leather upholstery option.

Cost of Ownership

With the base 48V Hybrid model, you can expect from just over 50mpg on the combined cycle - and a CO2 return of around 130g/km. Impressive engine technology also plays its part in this strong efficiency showing. The Hybrid system can drive the car in town for short periods (or when doing parking manoeuvres) on battery power only. A digital display shows information on battery charge level, energy flow and a tachometer to show when the car is running 100% on electric power. To do better, you'll need the Plug-in Hybrid version which has an EV range figure of 53 miles if you keep it fully charged. Want to go full-electric? The e-C5 Aircross DC charges at up to 160kW, regardless of your choice between the 73kWh or the 97kWh battery. That means a 10-80% DC charging speed of 27 minutes - the class norm. At home using a typical 7.4kW wallbox, the standard range 73kWh model AC charges from 20-80% in 6 hours and 45 minutes - or 4 hours 30 minutes with an 11kW three-phase supply. The bigger battery 97kWh e-C5 Aircross model AC charges from a 7.4kW wallbox from 20-80% in 8 hours and 55 minutes - or 6 hours 30 minutes with an 11kW three-phase supply. All versions of this model will be covered by the brand's usual unremarkable three year/60,000 mile warranty.

Summary

The original C5 Aircross sold on comfort, space and value. This MK2 version remains comfortable and spacious, keeping its value emphasis. But ramps up style and technology quite a lot; there's now far more of a 'want one' factor. You might have felt a bit frumpy parking the MK1 model at the gym, but there are no such issues with this, its successor. As for the EV version, well you'd have to seriously consider it if you were looking at a Vauxhall Grandland Electric or a Peugeot E-3008 because it has all the same engineering and will be significantly better value than either. Not everything is great of course. We'd have sacrificed quite a lot of this MK2 model's trendiness to keep the previous version's individual rear seats and sliding bench. And, as before, this Citroen won't suit those who prioritise press-on driving dynamics. If you can live with those two caveats though, there's lots to like here and this car stands out as a result. As it very much needs to.