A few weeks after reviewing Citroen’s new C3 Aircross, I was back in another new Citroen last week, the much larger C5 Aircross. The C3 I drove was petrol, but last week, motoring was even cheaper as the car I was testing was a very frugal 1.2-litre hybrid.
When I drove the seven-seater version of the C3, I wondered aloud why Citroen didn’t go with a seven seater version of the C5 instead as the C5 is a much larger vehicle. That was obviously a decision made by Citroen in France and Citroen in Ireland had to go with it.
In the old days there was a huge difference in cars made by different companies. But now, while global tensions continue, in the world of motoring there is increased co-operation between the various car companies.
Where once we had fierce rivals in the car business, there is now much sharing of vital car components. Part of the reason for this co-operation is that there has been merging of various car companies with some owned by large conglomerates.
That’s why the Citroen C5 Aircross is built on the Stellantis Medium platform that also underpins the Peugeot 3008 and 5008, along with the Opel Grandland.
Externally it’s a very impressive motor. At the front, the Citroen logo dominates and likewise at the back, with the word Aircross spelled out underneath the logo.
Inside, the décor is really attractive thanks to the bright colours on the seats. The interior reminded me very much of a Peugeot with a large divider between the driver and front seat passenger. Those Advanced Comfort seats are really comfortable. They are plush and comfortable thanks to the use of a thick foam that is designed to reduce fatigue on longer journeys.
There are lots of cubby holes located throughout the car and they are very useful for anybody travelling with children, as they will find places to hold drinks, keys, pens, phones etc. And of course there is a wireless charging spot for your mobile. And the door bins are deep enough to hold large bottles.
When I looked at the huge boot, again I wondered again why didn’t Citroen go with two more seats in the C5 rather than the C3. The boot space is 565 litres with the seats up and up to 1,668 litres when the back seat is folded. Also, plenty of room underneath in the lower section of the boot for a spare wheel, but as usual none supplied.
When I picked up the car from Automotive Team in Sandyford, the range with a full tank of petrol said 540km. But after two days driving, I saw the range increase to over 700km. Hybrids are brilliant. A few years back in a new Renault I drove from Dublin to Athlone and back and the range was higher when I returned to Dublin than before I left. I had no reason to go Athlone last week!
In the past, Citroen cars have been described as a ‘rolling living room.’ And yes, that’s true once again with this new C5 Aircross.
There are three grades: You, Plus and Max. The range I’m told in the electric C5 is approximately 520km, while the hybrid version should easily get you over 600km with a full tank of petrol on board.
Prices for the Hybrid version start at €39,300. Really with such a frugal Hybrid as the C5 available, who would need an electric car? But to be fair the classy C5 is also available in full electric mode.
