Citroen C5 Aircross (2023) - interior and Exterior Details (More Assertive)

Thanks: City Car

Citroen C5 Aircross SUV (2022) review: soft serve

Petrol, PHEV and even diesel power
More assertive nose after 2022 facelift
Comfort focus unchanged

With the Citroen C5 Aircross on sale since 2018, it came as no surprise to find 2022 was the year the French firm decided it was facelift time. And facelift is the right word, with most of the changes dealing with the Aircross’s design rather than its engineering.
For those playing spot the facelift that means a new ‘more assertive’ front bumper and headlight combo, some new ‘3D’ rear lights and a new design of 18in wheels. Inside you’ll find a larger and higher definition 10-inch infotainment system slotted into a redesigned centre console.
In other words, it’s a fairly minor update. Is it enough to compete against the Nissan Qashqai, Kia Sportage and Skoda Karoq to name but three? There’s only one way to find out…

What about the oily bits?

You won’t find any surprises here, with the same three engines powering the front wheels and no changes to the suspension, either. In other words, the C5 Aircross still puts passenger comfort over any notion of sportiness or handling prowess. So far so very Citroen, and all the better for it.
Your cheapest engine choice is the familiar 1.2-litre Puretech turbo triple available with either a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic gearbox. Its 127bhp and 170Ib ft of torque sound meagre on paper, but a mid-10sec 0-62mph time is respectable enough and real-world performance is adequate in all but extreme situations.
A similarly brisk albeit far torquier 1.5-litre diesel is available, although only high-mileage drivers should apply, although it’s the plug-in hybrid that predictably promises the cheapest running costs. Its 222bhp power output is the highest of the range and, like the pure petrol and diesel, it drives the front wheels alone.

There’s the option of PSA’s familiar Grip Control system on all but the PHEV. This is a switchable traction control system, which offers Mud, Snow and Sand modes to help you out of sticky situations and hill descent control.

And the driving experience?

An off-road excursion, which involved some steep inclines and loose surfaces, revealed that they do make a difference, although the mud and snow tyres that are bundled in no doubt helped. There are also two driving modes for general on-road use, Eco and Sport, both of which feel like they’re trying to make the car do something it would prefer not to do.

Better to just leave it in its regular setting most of the time, and not even bother with the paddleshifters; the automatic slurs most changes pleasingly, and rarely leaves you feeling like you’re in the wrong gear. It is a bit hesitant to kick down or accelerate hard from a standstill, though and you’ll feel the occasional sharper shift.

On the subject of refinement, the PHEV can be a little boomy when pushed and never fully fades into the background at a cruise. Even so, it’s a smoother option than the buzzier Puretech three-pot. Wind and road noise are well contained, especially in the PHEV which gets laminated front side windows, making this a great cruiser.

On rough surfaces that use all of the spring’s travel, the bump stop helps absorb the shock and smooth out any vibrations rather than simply stopping the suspension components clattering into each other. You certainly appreciate the gentle way it devours speed bumps, although you do still feel a little fidget on patchy surfaces, especially in the Puretech. Still, you can’t expect too much from a non-adjustable suspension system fitted to a sub-£30k family SUV, can you?

It’s certainly not set up as a B-road blaster, although there’s less bodyroll than you might expect. Even so, twisty Tarmac reveals a front end that’s keen to give up first, overprotective ESC and a sense that while you can carry reasonable speed, the C5 just wishes you’d chill out and stop driving like a bloody teenager.

[gilliardalmeida]

The soundtrack is hypnotizing. Amazing car!

[gatodemonte]

lindo carrito, blanco hermoso, me gusto, gracias, saludote desde Costa Rica.

[milagrosregalado]

Estoy muy contenta con mi C5 automático, lo recomiendo y muy cómodo

[adamscarvalho]

Finalmente a Citroem fabricou um Suv mais Robusto mais alta, mais bonito e moderno agora invista em tecnologia pra torno um Suv com melhor consumo econômico e autonomia maior.

[aguinaldomaltempi]

Um tiro no pé, para variar, um monstro de carro 😢

[davidpaterson]

Another variation on the Peugeot 3008 from the Stellantis product range - this one at the top end - and therefore a little odd that none of them (eg 3008, Grandland, C5 Aircross) were mentioned in comparison. I’m sure Stellantis are very happy for the DS7 to be compared to Audi, BMW etc - to justify the price premium and minimise cannibalisation of their other products - but strange that an independent review just goes along with that marketing strategy without asking whether the DS7 is worth the premium over the 3008.

[hopeavevor-]

What is the price of Ford escape Used one baur year from 2010 to 2012, the cost.

[dariuszsta]

From 0 to 102 mil / 10 sec? incredible 🤣🤣🤣

[amandafoster]

Aqui no brasil a citroen deixa a deseja

[oaesan]

I used C4 since 2019 and I was sorry to let it go in January 2023. I got the Aircross C5 and I am totally disappointed with the car. Please, don't buy it. It sounds like a diesel (I have petrol), very sluggish on the accelleration and rolls back on a hill when trying to come out of power save mode. In all, I am beginning to consider returning it becuase it is very unpleasant to drive.

[laurentbourmaud]

Attention moteur avec courroie de distribution passant dans un bain d'huile, mon moteur a lâcher à 40 000 kms.
Voyant moteur rouge allumé: autorisation de rouler par la concession résultat moteur mort.
Devis 6000 euros sans reconnaissance de fautes du garage ni de la maison mère de Citroën. Un seul conseil : la fuite

[خالدالحربي-كيت]

يا أخي هداك الله محتوياتك حلال لماذا تحولها للحرام بوضع الموسيقى