Lastly, it’s au revoir with the outdated and bonjour with the brand new for the Citroen C5 Aircross.
Regardless of its sharp styling and well-appointed cabin, the unique was hamstrung by its questionable worth towards the institution.
This facelifted mannequin retains its premium positioning, however has made inroads in most areas to be a extra aggressive left-field providing in comparison with an array of rivals – together with its personal Peugeot dad or mum.
Highlights of the brand new 2023 Citroen C5 Aircross – now provided in only a single variant – embody a extra highly effective turbocharged petrol engine, a brand new transmission with extra gears, the most recent driver help tech the corporate has to supply, a bigger infotainment show with newer software program, in addition to developments to Citroen’s Superior Consolation options.
For followers of French vehicles the Citroen appears as full as ever, however this new one remains to be priced towards the costliest variations of phase favourites.
Has Citroen achieved sufficient to be a worthy different to the mid-size SUV institution?
How a lot does the Citroen C5 Aircross Sport value?
The one-variant vary now opens from $54,990 earlier than on-road prices and choices – understanding to simply over $60,300 drive-away based mostly on a Melbourne postcode.
That’s a reasonably minor $2690 premium over the 2022 model when you think about the upgrades – together with recent seems to be, an upgraded drivetrain, extra options, and far improved expertise.
Citroen’s value places the C5 Aircross towards high-spec variations of the Mazda CX-5 Akera (from $51,500), and sits it between the bottom Attract and mid-spec GT variations of the Peugeot 3008. A possible left-field different lies within the similarly-sized Skoda Karoq which, in fully-optioned 110kW Fashion guise is available in at round $58,000 drive-away.
It’s value noting the Australian C5 Aircross is aligned with a fully-optioned instance out of someplace just like the UK. Specifying a UK-spec C5 Aircross petrol (96kW as our 133kW powertrain isn’t provided there) to the identical degree because the native model works out to simply below £34,000 or round A$64,200.
It’s additionally practically $3000 extra inexpensive than the associated, if admittedly barely bigger C5 X crossover ($57,670).
2023 Citroen C5 Aircross pricing:
- Citroen C5 Aircross Sport: $54,990
Value excludes on-road prices
What’s the Citroen C5 Aircross Sport like on the within?
The C5 Aircross could not have the plush trimmings of its Peugeot 3008 cousin, but it surely’s nonetheless a reasonably good place to sit down.
One of many first stuff you’ll discover when hopping into the driving force’s seat is simply how comfortable and supportive the entrance pews are – it’s nearly like sitting on a sofa at house.
Citroen’s Superior Consolation seats have been refined additional for this new iteration of C5 Aircross, with an additional 15mm of high-density foam within the building and modifications to make sure the seats don’t sag over time.
The seats are additionally completed in a stunning ‘Paloma’ perforated Nappa leather-based which is smooth and easy to the contact, however doesn’t really feel so delicate that it’ll rapidly be ruined with fixed use.
Citroen has additionally added contrasting blue accents for the higher backrests and headrests which properly praise our tester’s Eclipse Blue hero paint end, and there’s cool stitching and quilting particulars – together with chevrons stitched into the backrest.
The motive force’s seat is electrically adjustable and encompasses a helpful therapeutic massage perform, whereas the entrance seats are each heated.
For the facelift, the dashboard has been redesigned with a higher-set 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system rather than the extra built-in 8.0-inch unit of the outdated automotive, and revised switchgear.
The brand new display gives larger decision and snappier load instances than the pre-facelift mannequin’s pretty dated interface, although it’s not the model’s newest technology of infotainment with related providers such as you’ll discover within the C5 X and Peugeot 308, which is kind of disappointing for a automobile launching later than each.
Nonetheless, it covers most bases in providing wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (not wi-fi, by way of USB-A), DAB radio in addition to embedded satellite tv for pc navigation with 3D mapping. Take note the up to date C5 Aircross was revealed in early 2022, and has taken some time to roll out to right-hand drive markets from Australia.
It seems the UK market will get an analogous system to ours however with added connectivity, however it will have been good to see Citroen persistently roll out its new system throughout all new launches from the C5 X.
The structure and interface might be acquainted to present Citroen or earlier Peugeot homeowners, however readability and pace are clear developments over the outdated one. Whereas the local weather controls stay touch-based, there are bodily shortcuts switches for air recirculation and accessing the HVAC menu, which assist.
The motive force is confronted with a big 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster – bigger than the C5 X’s, oddly – and whereas it gives a degree of customisation that enables for varied views together with maps, it’s typical Citroen in that it has a left-field design with a squircle motif and unconventional parts.
Deciding on ‘dials’ received’t get you precise dials like a Peugeot, as a substitute citing three squircle pods that show pace, journey laptop and which gear you’re in. You can too choose ‘Driving’ for a driver help structure which has some good graphics, and the ‘Navigation’ view brings maps to the entrance even once you’re not navigating.
The tachometer is an old-school bar on the prime and is all the time in view, which is a kind of throwback. The chunky steering wheel with its easy leather-based rim and massive buttons is good to carry too, and has a particular feel and appear that’s in contrast to the rest.
Storage is first rate up entrance although has its drawbacks, with massive cubbies within the centre console across the toggle-style e-shifter that may stow telephones and wallets and keys – there’s a wi-fi charger forward of the shifter too – and there’s an enormous cubby below the centre armrest with rubberised base for bigger bottles and the like.
Nevertheless, the thin door bins received’t match bigger bottles, and the plastic lining means issues rattle round a bit. A minimum of the toothed cupholders are massive sufficient and maintain issues in place.
One of many C5 Aircross’s distinctive parts within the second row is its three particular person seats, clearly nicked from the bigger Peugeot 5008 SUV-MPV. They’re trimmed in the identical Nappa leather-based because the entrance, and are elevated in a stadium-style association to provide youngsters and shorter adults a greater view out entrance and thru the facet home windows.
They every slide fore and aft independently, in addition to recline to a good diploma. The problem? There isn’t an enormous quantity of leg- and knee room construct into the C5 Aircross’s cabin to totally make the most of this cool characteristic.
At round 6’1 I used to be fairly comfortable behind my very own driving place with the rear seats of their rearmost place. On the passenger facet you’ll be able to slide the entrance seat a bit additional ahead to liberate more room, however when you’re a leggy legend like me you may discover any shuffling about may see you knock the entrance seatback together with your knee.
A minimum of headroom is alright, even with the usual panoramic sunroof. The ground can be fairly flat, which implies the center occupant doesn’t must knock outboard passengers to compete for foot and toe room, and facilities like rear air vents, a USB cost level on the rear of the centre console, netted map pockets behind each entrance seats, and extra skinny door bins.
For those who’ve obtained younger youngsters, they’ll be more than pleased within the rear, and there are ISOFIX anchors on the window seats in addition to top-tether factors behind all three rear seats.
Whereas rear seat house isn’t fairly up there with the perfect at school, the C5 Aircross gives fairly a giant boot. Citroen quotes 580 litres with the rear seats in place, increasing to 1630L with the second row folded.
That’s the identical five-seat determine quoted by a Toyota RAV4, whereas a Kia Sportage quotes 543L-1829L. That’s regardless of the C5 Aircross measuring simply 4500mm lengthy – 100mm shorter than a RAV4, and 160mm shorter than the Sportage. It’s even 75mm shorter than a Mazda CX-5, which solely gives 438-1340L of baggage capability.
Underneath the boot ground, there’s a space-saver spare wheel.
What’s below the bonnet?
Energy within the new Citroen C5 Aircross comes from a 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine, which drives the entrance wheels by way of a brand new eight-speed computerized transmission from Aisin.
Outputs are rated at 133kW (5500rpm) and 250Nm (1650rpm), in comparison with the pre-update mannequin’s 121kW and six-speed computerized. Zero to 100km/h takes a claimed 8.2 seconds, with prime pace rated at 219km/h.
The engine is Euro 6-certified, claims mixed gasoline utilization of 5.7L per 100km. CO2 emissions are rated at 130g/km.
Whereas not obtainable within the Australian market, the C5 Aircross additionally gives a 165kW 1.6-litre plug-in hybrid abroad, much like the PHEV drivetrain provided in native Peugeot merchandise, and coming quickly to the C5 X.
The most recent C5 Aircross Plug-in Hybrid quotes 66km of vary from an upgraded 14.2kWh lithium battery pack, and CO2 emissions of simply 29g/km. The PHEV is into account for the Australian market, however at that is stage unconfirmed.
Wanting on the UK market, the 96kW 1.2-litre turbo petrol from the Peugeot 308 is obtainable too, alongside a 96kW 1.5-litre turbo-diesel.
How does the Citroen C5 Aircross Sport drive?
From the get-go, Citroen makes no secret about its concentrate on outright consolation over engagement.
Except you’re completely set on shopping for an SUV that offers you recollections of driving a sporty hatchback, the C5 Aircross actually delivers on its Superior Consolation promise. The sunshine steering, softly-sprung suspension, and relaxed powertrain calibration makes for a calming and easy commuter and tourer.
The suspension advantages from the model’s hydraulic bump stops on all sides of the shock absorber – one for compression and the opposite for rebound – to soak up and dissipate forces transmitted by bigger bumps to gradual suspension actions after massive hits.
It claims to supply a ‘magic carpet impact’ – however whereas the C5 Aircross is impressively comfy even on 19-inch alloy wheels, it’s no Rolls-Royce. The massive wheels are vulnerable to selecting up high-frequency imperfections and harsher hits, however whereas these are felt within the cabin, they aren’t essentially transmitted by way of the seat.
Drive it tougher and it leans a bit and doesn’t provide you with an amazing diploma of suggestions, so it doesn’t actually put the ‘Sport’ in Sports activities Utility Automobile – the tremendous comfortable experience setup comes on the expense of dealing with, because the top-heavy physique and eco tyres don’t encourage you to drive this tough or have a little bit of enjoyable up a winding B-road. Good and regular is the best way right here.
It’s very easy to manage round city, but it surely’s additionally planted and safe on the freeway.
Outward visibility can be nice, due to the tall glasshouse and restricted blind-spots – aided by blind-spot monitoring do you have to lose an approaching automotive in your facet mirrors or neglect to do a head-check.
I’ve beforehand criticised nearly each Citroen I’ve pushed in my tenure as an automotive journalist up to now for the usually awkward tune of the Aisin computerized. The C5 Aircross is well the perfect one I’ve tried but.
Having just lately had a stint within the C5 X, it’s disappointing Citroen nonetheless hadn’t ironed out a few of the awkward shifts and lurching in visitors. The C5 Aircross hasn’t fully eradicated these traits, but it surely’s noticeably higher – although its tendency to roll backwards as you come off the brakes when cease/begin is engaged generally is a little alarming if it occurs all of the sudden on a steeper incline.
Acceleration is linear and easy, with the eight-speeder providing snappy and intuitive shifts up the ratios, and settling into a pleasant cruise when you’re at pace.
The little 1.6-litre turbo is a prepared little factor, and revs fortunately which is able to appease those who miss the free-revving nature of naturally-aspirated models of outdated. What I’ll say, is that the buzzy engine be aware isn’t significantly interesting to the ears, and there’s a bizarre buzzy-ticking noise that comes into the cabin everytime you contact the accelerator.
Flick it into Sport mode and it undoubtedly will get a transfer on and is noticeably extra responsive, however like talked about earlier you’re higher off driving this in a extra relaxed and sedate method – but it surely’s good to realize it’s obtained some muscle when you ever want it.
It’s in any other case not too vocal below load, so whereas the unattractive sound is current it’s not deafening.
Talking of noise intrusion, the C5 Aircross does a adequate job at maintaining the cabin insulated from the skin world, although it’s not as whisper quiet as phase benchmarks.
There’s a bit little bit of tyre roar on rougher stretches of blacktop, however wind noise is impressively suppressed even at larger speeds.
I additionally just like the extra calming tones and sounds from the automobile’s methods, e.g. the indicator sound that’s paying homage to a xylophone, and the audible warnings for driver help methods are equally nice – a far cry from a few of the incessant chimes elsewhere.
The C5 Aircross’s help suite has been bolstered with this facelift, with Freeway Driver Help now customary due to the addition of the eight-speed auto – the semi-autonomous characteristic has beforehand not been suitable with the outgoing six-speeder.
As we’ve present in autos just like the Peugeot 308 and 508, this technique is fairly intuitive and isn’t overzealous about maintaining you proper within the centre of your lane.
It has the behavior of stopping undertakes like a Volkswagen, and will be fairly conservative with following distance so it sometimes brakes sharply when you interact adaptive cruise management whereas following a automobile nearer than the automotive likes.
The Citroen’s customary blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert methods work as you’d count on, although the reversing digital camera with top-down view is disappointingly sub-par. The grainy decision and stitched feed in an try and create a static 360-degree view as you reverse won’t ever be a stand-in for correct encompass cameras.
What do you get?
C5 Aircross Sport highlights:
- Freeway Driver Help
- Adaptive cruise management incl. cease/go
- Energetic lane centring
- Panoramic sunroof
- LED headlights
- Reflector-type
- Completed in gloss black
- Twin daytime working gentle signature with LED indicator
- Useful air curtain
- LED tail lights
- Black Pack
- 19-inch black alloy wheels
- Shiny black door/facet mirror shell
- Matte black roof rails
- Black roof
- Black color pack (Airbumps and fog gentle surrounds)
- 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
- 10-inch infotainment touchscreen
- Satellite tv for pc navigation
- Apple CarPlay, Android Auto (wired)
- Wi-fi smartphone charger
- Acoustic laminated entrance home windows
- New Hype Black inside
- Blue highlights
- Black Nappa leather-based trim, incl. perforated Nappa leather-based seats
- Blue stitching for sprint, door, central armrest, centre console trim
- Superior Consolation Seats
- Superior Consolation Suspension
- Progressive Hydraulic Cushions
- Heated entrance seats
- Driver’s therapeutic massage perform
- Driver’s seat electrical adjustment
- e-Toggle type gear selector
- Grip Management
MORE: 2023 Citroen C5 Aircross value and specs
Colors
Commonplace
Premium: $690
- Pearl White
- Artense Gray
- Platinum Gray
- Nera Black
- Eclipse Blue
Is the Citroen C5 Aircross Sport secure?
The pre-facelift Citroen C5 Aircross wears a four-star ANCAP security ranking based mostly on 2019 testing.
It scored 87 per cent for grownup occupant safety, 88 per cent for youngster occupant safety, 58 per cent for weak highway person safety, and 73 per cent for security help.
The important thing barrier for the C5 Aircross in its preliminary security evaluation was that Australian fashions had the essential AEB bundle that carried out weakly with reference to defending weak highway customers.
It’s unclear whether or not the up to date mannequin might be retested in an effort to have its ranking adjusted with its upgraded security suite.
Commonplace security options embody:
- 6 airbags
- Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Driver consideration alert
- Emergency brake help
- Freeway Driver Help
- Adaptive cruise management incl. cease/go
- Energetic lane centring
- Lane departure warning
- Highway edge detection
- Pace limiter
- Pace restrict suggestion
- Visitors signal recognition
- Tyre strain monitoring
How a lot does the Citroen C5 Aircross Sport value to run?
The C5 Aircross is roofed by the model’s five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee in Australia.
There’s additionally 5 years of roadside help thrown in, in addition to a five-year Service Value Promise program.
Scheduled upkeep is required each 12 months or 20,000km – whichever comes first – and there are pre-paid servicing plans for three- and five-year durations. The three-year service pack prices $1100, whereas the five-year bundle lists for $2000.
By way of real-world gasoline consumption, the C5 Aircross returned an indicated 6.9L/100km after every week of blended driving situations, together with each day high-traffic commuting with each freeway and concrete roads thrown in.
For a non-hybrid petrol SUV, that’s fairly spectacular, if a bit off Citroen’s 5.7L/100km declare. It’s truly about pretty much as good as I’ve gotten from lots of diesel-powered rivals, and never far off Nissan’s X-Path e-Energy sequence hybrid.
Whereas environment friendly, the C5 Aircross’s EU6 powertrain requires 95 RON premium unleaded, so these gasoline financial savings are barely offset by demanding dearer gasoline.
CarExpert’s Tackle the Citroen C5 Aircross Sport
The C5 Aircross now has extra panache to match its chevron moustache.
It’s a unusual different to the mid-size SUV institution that may be very stress-free to drive and has one of many largest boots in phase – on the expense of rear seat house. The improved drivetrain and tech are additionally notable enhancements over the earlier mannequin.
Nevertheless, its excessive pricing and a few clean containers on the spec sheet in comparison with key rivals and certainly its C5 X stablemate will little question be boundaries to wider attraction, as will a again seat that’s greatest described as ‘comfortable’.
The dearth of an all-wheel drive (AWD) choice will even be a deal-breaker for a lot of at this value level, and a few procuring at this finish of the market will probably be after a bit extra grunt.
However for these wanting one thing a bit totally different, who recognize a comfort-focused experience and are prepared to spend a bit extra for the exclusivity, the C5 Aircross might be just about good for that very particular slice of the market that so loyally observe the storied 100-year outdated French model.
Like most Citroens, its funky but flawed.
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