2016 Citroen C5 Reviews

You've probably driven a mid-size SUV before, but have you ever driven one that truly puts comfort first?

The new Citroen C5 Aircross is different. But is it different in a good way?

There are two grades in the C5 Aircross line-up and the Shine sits at the top of the range with its list price of $43,990.

Let's face it Citroen is at best a bit player in the Australian motoring landscape.

It would be so very refreshing to read a review of a French car which eschewed the token use of French. Sadly, this is not going to be that review, because vive la difference embodies perfectly the essence of Citroën's C5.In price, placement and most of all in its cosseting and eventually appealing road manners, the range topping version of the big sedan (it comes as a wagon for three grand more) is predicated on following a path less travelled by Europeans.Whereas sporting pose is the (too) dominant theme in the handling compromise of most Euros, composure and poise is the C5's raison d'etre (sorry) an attitude that arguably better suits Australian roads.VALUEVexed question this. Depends if you think the Citroën overpriced next to the Passats, 159s and 407s of this word, or if like Volvo it undercuts the German prestige trio.Less equivocally, the range-topper’s 3.0-litre V6 twin turbo diesel sets it apart. Nothing in price proximity offers an equivalent engine - they're all either one or two cylinders short, or overpriced and underdone by comparison.Recently upgraded over the 2.7-litre unit, with which the second generation C5 launched two years ago, it's a less potent version of the PSA engine found in Jaguar's $113,000 XF.Against that, the $12,000 premium over the 2.0-litre turbo-diesel C5 is slightly mad, given the latter is almost as useful in urban use. Options, not least the $5000 demanded for the "NaviDrive" GPS set up, are enough to make you choke on your croissant. Wheel arch filling 18-inch alloys are standard.TECHNOLOGYHydractive III+ suspension is a good chunk of the Citroën’s appeal, derived and developed from the original "magic carpet ride" concept of the iconic DS. At speed, the C5 automatically lowers. On poor surfaces, it automatically sets for increased clearance and comfort. Thanks to the self-levelling feature you are also guaranteed a constant ride height, regardless of the load or number of passengers. In practice, it remains slightly soufflé even in "sport" mode. This is no bad thing.DESIGNIf the previous C5 (a liftback, not a true four-door) was the preserve of Francophiles, this one is altogether more visually appealing, within and without. As is almost always the Euro way, the wagon is the most resolved looker, but the four door with its massive front overhang and sculptured derriere (looking more than a little Audi A4) is distinctive enough even without that chevron badge.In the event of a big impact, the steering wheel's fixed hub permits unimpeded deployment of the airbag. The plethora of controls attached work audio and cruise functions – it’s a neater solution than Peugeot's array of wands, though the Citroën’s centre console buttons are equally fiddly.SAFETYThe full five stars in NCAP crash testing and seven airbags, with the full armoury of active acronyms. The spare is full size. Are you listening BMW? No, didn't think so...DRIVINGTo be perfectly Francois, the C5 initially feels unwieldy and even alien, wafting weirdly, with most of the that massive kerb weight (near enough 1800kg) forward of your feet. Yet by week’s end it feels like a favoured and comfortable coat.Sudden jolts will send it rocking like a boat that's struck a wave, but this tendency is largely controlled by selecting and sticking with Hydractive's sport mode. The transmission's sport mode, by contrast, simply muddies gear selection, which can be performed manually but is best left to its own devices.From noticeable lag off the mark, the digital speedo is soon blurring, but not only is there little sense of how quickly you're accruing speed, there's no sound of it. Refinement is remarkable you could be driving a hybrid rather than a big torqueing diesel.Some seem to be criticising the C5 for not being a 5 Series. If you want to slice up the twisties look elsewhere; if you want to effortlessly dispatch cruising kilometres, step this way. Tout de suite.VERDICT: Composure and poise beats sporting poseCITROËN C5 3.0 HDI EXCLUSIVE SEDANPrice: From $69,990Engine: 3L V6 bi-turbo diesel; 177kW/450NmTransmission: 6-speed autoThirst: 7.4L/100km combined

YOU'VE almost got to wonder, who buys all those cars? To say nothing of the SUVs and commercial jiggers.  Private owners and fleets bought almost 81,500 new vehicles last month. Of course, the usual suspects - Holden, Toyota, Mazda, Ford, Hyundai - do most business among the 50 or so brands on offer. But for every no-brainer buy there's an overlooked, if not unloved, model sitting on the lot.If you fancy a bit of vive la difference, we've unearthed some hidden treasures whose lack of popularity ought to compel the sales people to do a deal for you.Alfa Romeo 159Sales in April: 29Price:$49,990-$82,990THOUGH a non-starter in the premium sales stakes led by zer Chermans, Alfa's now five-year-old midsize sedan and wagon will be with us for another two years.Upgrades have seen it shed a bit of lard and get a six-speed automatic that works with it, as opposed to behaving like a transplanted organ the body's rejecting. Most 159s sold now are TI editions with lowered suspension and lustrous, but eminently kerbable, 19-inch alloys.Hardly the sharpest tool in the shed but, my, isn't she lovely? Gorgeous, actually.  Standard equipment levels are high, so put the acid on the dealer for a good driveaway deal.* Our choice: 2.4 JTDm auto sportwagonCitroen C5Sales in April: 16Price: $45,990-$72,990DESPITE its dashing appearance, the driving reality of this almost entirely diesel line-up can be considered exciting only if you accept boules as an extreme sport. It ain't sportif, but that's the point.What it does, in its Gallic shrugging way, is provide a classically wafty Citroen ride in a package that looks equally at home in Paris, Provence or Parramatta. The 3.0 twin turbo V6 oiler would convert an avowed petrolhead but, in Australia's Third World road conditions, isn't sufficiently superior to the 2.0-litre four potter to justify the price.* Our choice: 2.0 HDi ComfortFiat 500Sales in April: 25Price: $22,990-$33,990THING is, everyone who wants a mini 2+2 convertible goes for, well, a Mini. The irresistible new Bambino now comes with a rag top, in addition to its more stalwart though hardly less cute coupe siblings.Indeed, how much cute can you cope with? Given its level of kit and customisation options, the 500 is as much a bite-sized luxury car as a city-friendly commuting device.The current lack of an auto option in all versions across the range keeps sales to niche levels but, hey, this is a compact Italian job. Over there, even the most venerable nonna can handle a stick shift. Anecdotal evidence suggests the Fix-It-Again-Tony days are way behind Fiat.* Our choice: 1.4 Lounge manualHonda Civic HybridSales: 75-80 (since January)Price: $34,490WHILE Toyota's Prius is effectively a synonym for petrol-electric propulsion, the cheaper Honda not only looks like a car it drives like one, while returning a potential 4.6 litres per 100km. Sales are down a bit at the moment, as petrol prices are too, but an oil price spike is certain at some point. If you want a green car that doesn't make you look like Clover Moore, act soon.* Our choice: There is but oneSkoda SuperbSales in April: 6Price: From $39,990MAYBE the long Czech liftback and now wagon is just too close in essence and price to its VW Passat sibling. Maybe we don't yet "get'' big cars with small but highly efficient engines (though there's a diesel and a V6 petrol variant as well). Maybe it's a cold war hangover.Whatever it is, we're wrong. With a price realignment, the Superb offers better value, more kit, lots of space and lusher feel than the VW. It won Top Gear's luxury car of the year; the previous winner was a Rolls-Royce, for heaven's sake.* Our choice: Got to be the 1.8 turbo petrol wagon

Like many things French, we have mixed emotions about the Citroen C5 Tourer. Love the looks, space, equipment, technology, six-speed automatic and effortless cruising pace of the 2.0-litre turbo-diesel but the driving experience leaves us indifferent.It all comes down to the car's hi-tech Hydractive III suspension. It is sensational when the roads are billiard-ball smooth and when you do happen to encounter some gravel roads, the Roll-Royce-like plushness and refinement is something you don't get for the price of a European family wagon.However, sharp bumps like bridge expansion joints will catch it out regardless of whether you're in normal or sports mode. And speaking of sports mode, it doesn't feel particularly sporty, just harsher.Perhaps it’s about taste. It takes a while to get used to the culinary delights of snails and frogs’ legs, so we suspect driving the C5 falls into the same category. There's is plenty to like about the big French wagon though. The cabin is plush, with heated front seats that have good support and the ambient lighting at night is a real touch of class.The door pockets have motion sensor lights that turn on when you're rummaging around for gear and the luggage bay light that doubles as a torch is a neat touch.An acoustic windscreen and laminated side windows do a great job of isolating the cabin from road and wind noise and the rear side window blinds are handy for keeping the sun off small children.The 100kW/320Nm 2.0-litre diesel is quiet, smooth and reasonably frugal but feels a bit underdone in this cavernous wagon. Citroen quotes 7.2 l/100km and we came close to bettering that in a mix of highway and city driving.Apart from the spongy ride, the C5's fixed-hub steering wheel - like the C4 - takes a while to get use to. Some of the minor switchgear and radio controls are not intuitive and storage space around the cabin is plentiful but practically useless because the nooks and crannies are so small.But that's the French for you. You should not expect a country that gives you great food, architecture, fashion and style to execute cars with the same caustic efficiency as the Germans.At $60,990 the C5 wagon is for those confident folk who embrace individuality and French flare.As the name says, it's Exclusive. 

Could this be the same car we loved to drive but loathed the look of, a car that looked more like a sperm whale than the stylish European motor that it purported to be?That car — we're happy to say — has been beached in favour of the most stylish cars that we have come across in a long time, with design cues taken directly from Citroen's larger avantgarde flagship the C6 … a car that we finally got to drive a few weeks back.Looking from some angles like a larger version of the C4, the all-new C5 adopts the trend towards sedans that look more like four-door coupes, with a sloping roofline, concave rear window and separate boot area.In contrast, Citroen watchers may remember the previous model that looked like a sedan but was in fact a hatch.The other big news this time around is the adoption of diesel engines across the board, with a choice of four cylinder and V6 variants.That's just fine with us because Citroen has been banging out diesels since Adam was a boy and it knows what it's doing.Our test vehicle was the top of the line 2.7-litre twin turbo V6, coupled with a six-speed sequential auto that allows the driver to change gears manually.At 4779mm and weighing in at 1766kg it's about the size of a Holden Commodore, but with a smaller boot.There's not as much rear leg room either.The new C5 conveys a real sense of prestige and is certain to strike a chord with those looking for something different, but something different in a good way.It offers status, individuality and high levels of luxury and performance.The diesel V6 delivers 150kW of power at 4000rpm and 440Nm of torque from a low 1900rpm, sprinting from 0-100km/h in brisk 9.6 seconds and using 11.8 litres of fuel per 100km.Priced from $49,990 with the V6 Exclusive at $62,990, the C5 comes with a five-star safety rating and long list of standard equipment.These include electrically heated and adjustable front seats with driver's seat massager, self-levelling suspension, automatic electric parking brake and headlights that turn with the car.Seven airbags are standard across the range as is electronic stability control, leather upholstery and automatc airconditioning.A closer look at the rear of the car reveals a curved, concave shaped rear window, one of the hallmarks of the C6 and two-part boomerang lights.Inside the cabin is just as stylish, with mood lighting to enhances this feeling, with ambient light glowing from the car's doors and dashboard in the Exclusive variants.Like the C4 the steering wheel's hub is fixed and the wheel rotates around it, although it is still height and reach adjustable.The dash with white instrument dials slit horizontally by a digital readout is particularly elegant.The new C5 is not however without its faults.The suspension still feels too floaty, even though it automatically firms up in corners and the steering itself is vague at times with a tendency to wander if not checked.With twin blowers and a sizeable 2.7-litre litre engine, it's was not designed as a fuel miser but still manages to deliver far better economy than any petrol V6.Performance is strong and particularly punchy with sport mode selected, exhibiting none of the turbo lag of the Renault that we drove recently.In the sort time we had the car we were getting 8.3 litres/100km with the longterm average running at 10.5.Our test car was fitted with 18 inch alloys and 245/45 tyres, with a full size 17 inch steel spare in the boot well.All in all, here is a C5 worth owning.

Citroen's new, second generation C5 could be the car to dispel those ancient cliches about French autos. You know the ones. They ride like melting camembert — and the build quality is about as sound.A great deal more time than our 300km stint behind the wheel and 70km in the passenger seat will be needed to assess the latter. But we can say with certainty that this is the most complete Citroen in years.Not only is the new C5 a giant step forward from its predecessor (which was itself the precursor to the now outgoing first-generation range of C-designated cars), the new range-topper points to an almost radical departure in style and perception. It bodes interestingly for the forthcoming product rollout which includes the new C4 hatch, Berlingo and Nemo vans and possibly the C-Crossover SUV.While the appearance and on-road experience of the first C5 was about as invigorating as being immersed in a bath of warm milk while listening to the talking clock, the second-gen sedan is cut from a very different and decidedly designer cloth.So, too, appears to be the Touring (that would be “wagon” to us) but we'll wait to see one in the metal before making up our minds.The four-door, meanwhile, is just that. A four-door. Gone is the liftback of Gen One, now apparently deemed too dowdy and utilitarian.Whatever the reason, the new shape is sleek and striking with that trademark long front overhang and pert rear. The interior is singular, with the fixed steering wheel hub on which are positioned cruise control and audio buttons.Material quality has risen and you have to love the driver's seat massager. It's all a neat combination of functionality and funkiness.Seen from behind there's more than a hint of Audi A4, which is not coincidental. Indeed, Citroen Australia chief Miles Williams asserts that in addition to the usual mid-priced, middle-class Europeans that the C5 is pitted against (Volkswagen, Peugeot, Volvo, Saab), “we'll attract Audi A4 people in the top-end car”.It’s a measure of the new C5’s sheer presence and interior quality that you don’t laugh aloud at this.The C5 comes in two levels of specification — Comfort and Exclusive — and one fuel.“Diesel represents where our customers are,” Williams says. And as to the new range starting $10K north of the old: “There was no demand for the old 2.0-litre petrol.”So the C5 Comfort starts at 10 bucks under $50K, the Touring (when it arrives) is $52,740. These are powered by a Francophile favourite 2.0-litre turbo diesel four cylinder, good for 100kW at top revs and 320Nm from under 2000rpm. No entry-level models were available at launch, though the spec sheet suggests it will be competitively equipped for the price.Even so, the jump to $54,990 for the Exclusive 2.0 HDI sedan ($57,740 Touring) appears worth it. The 150kW/440Nm V6 Exclusive, which boasts the same superb PSA/Ford bi-turbo powertrain that's considered quite good enough for a $100K plus Jaguar, starts from $62,990 ($65,740 Touring).All models registered five-star NCAP crash safety and the full cluster for pedestrian impacts. The Exclusive gets two extra airbags (nine in all), but all have ABS with brake assist and brake-force distribution, stability program with integrated traction control.In an accident, the active front headrest moves forward to capture the neck, potentially averting whiplash or even brain damage. Options include 19-inch alloys (the Exclusive has 18s, the Comfort 17s), sunroof (full-lengthin the Touring), Bluetooth, lane departure warning and 10 gigabyte MP3.If visually the C5 has shed its cardigan fora Paul Smith jacket, on the road it retains membership at Club Comfort.It's quiet too, eerily so when combined with the effortless mid-range acceleration of the V6. Alarming numbers can register on the in-dash digital speedo before you're really aware of the speed. Thing is, with both suspension and the six-speed auto's shift program fixed to Sport (as opposed to the quite aquatic normal mode), the C5 has some dynamic life to it, though its remit remains joy through comfort.Nose-heavy understeer is, of course, the default position, but it arrives later than you'd reasonably expect. The lesser-engined model wasn't much behind the emphatic V6, weighing in well under the top dog's 1765kg.Capable dynamically, and unflustered when the road goes to rubbish, makes you wonder if the C5 is the ideal Euro sedan for this country. Really, what's of more use in speed limited Australia with its Third World road surfaces — sporting pose or composure and poise?

The arrival of the first C5 in Australia back in 2001 marked the beginning of the revival of a brand that had long suffered the reputation for not quite keeping up with the rest of the pack.Thanks to the substantial makeover of the whole Citroen range that started with the C5, the big French marque has improved in many areas from safety, to suspension and engine technology.Citroen hopes to continue that improvement with the new C5 sedan and wagon.The all new C5 comes as a six speed auto with a choice of two diesel engines only – a 2.0- litre in-line four cylinder DOHC diesel – available in both the Comfort and Exclusive - and a larger 2.7 litre DOHC V6 – available in the Exclusive only.The smaller version produces 100kW at 4000 revs and 320Nm at 2000 rpm. For the big one, add on another 50kW and enjoy a hefty 440Nm at 1900 rpm.Using the two litre engine, the sedan burns 7.1 litres of fuel per 100km and the Tourer wagon uses 7.2. The larger engine in the sedan uses 8.5 litres of diesel per 100kms and in the wagon it uses 8.6.CO2 emission numbers for the 2.0-litre are 189g/km for the sedan and 191g/km for the Tourer. The 2.7-litre sedan releases 225g/km, again adding 2g for the Tourer.Citroen’s well-known Hydropneumatic suspension system features again this time round in the form of the Hydractive III+, which automatically alters height and firmness to improve stability and fuel consumption.With the trademark long front and short rear overhangs, the new C5 is lower to the ground and has been designed to sweep gracefully from front to back, giving it a new sleek, aerodynamic look.Its 2.82m wheelbase, unique concave rear window and high, creased waistline add to this effect but also, in a practical sense, allow for more room in the cabin and boot.Large wrap around bi-xenon headlights on the Exclusive trim level not only adjust for road surface irregularities, but turn with the car when cornering, whilst kerb lamps help to light the way.‘Boomerang’ rear lights together with 17 or 18 inch alloys – standard on the Exclusive - bring together a package that seems to glide rather than drive.Visibility all round is very good thanks mostly to the large sloping windscreen and rear window.Inside, the C5 matches its exterior for a combination of prestige, style and practicality.Fully adjustable ergonomic seats – with massage function on the drivers side - made with quality leather in both variants, and a simple intuitive dash, allow for comfortable trips with several driving options at arms reach.But there is little need for your hands to even move that far with options like cruise control, speed limiter, stereo system and the dashboard display navigation on the fixed-hub steering wheel.Power steering, electric windows, height adjustable steering wheel and front and rear air vents and pollen filters are standard across the range, with Bluetooth, sunroof and a lane departure warning system as available options.Interior mood lighting calms the elegant cabin and the Exclusive comes with laminated acoustic side glass which significantly reduces road noise to enhance that effect.Rear parking sensors are standard in both cars. The Exclusive also gets front sensors.There are several small compartments throughout the cabin including a hidden cup holder under the centre console armrest.The C5 tourer holds 505 litres with the seats up and 1462 litres with them down. Other features specific to the Tourer are cargo tie-down rings, shopping bag hooks, a retractable cargo cover and a rear passenger protection net.The sedan’s boot capacity is 439 litres.A five-star Euro NCAP rating tops an impressive safety package for the Citroen C5.The long list of safety features includes up to nine airbags, ESP, ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution Emergency Brake Assistance, energy absorbing side impact protection, hight adjustable seat belts and a fuel cut-off device.Pricing for the new Citroen C5 starts at $49,990 for the two litre Comfort sedan, and tops out at $65,740 for the 2.7 litre Tourer.Citroen predict 400 sales for the rest of this year with a further 1100 sales in 2009.We drove both engines on freeways and hilly, winding country roads, and really didn’t feel there was a substantial difference in power from the V6 down to the four. Passing large trucks was worry-free even in the 100kW variant that constantly played above its weight.Initially, it seemed a little hasty to expect people to be comfortable with a diesel-only offering, but in this case the quality combination of the smooth, six-speed auto with both engines, made up for the lack of a petrol unit.Initially the ride felt a little floaty and the tyres yelped, especially when cornering hard. But with the dampers in sport mode it firmed up just enough to grip sufficiently, without spoiling the velvet-like effect of  the suspension.Citroen have made a big effort to reduce wind and road noise and the result is frankly unbelievable – this car is pin-drop quiet and it creates a luxurious ambiance inside.The dash is well made and simple without skimping on functionality that makes life a lot easier.The fixed hub steering wheel is a little strange at first and the wheel arms angled inward makes it hard to position your hands comfortably.From the outside, the C5 certainly looks different, thanks in large part to it having a boot rather than a hatchback. Looking rather A4-like from behind, it has jumped a few spots up in the styling stakes in our minds.Seeing it side-on with its high waistline crease that flows from front to back, together with its nice big wheels, short rear overhang and low-slung stance, it looks like a car that means business.According to the marketing spiel, the new Citroen C5 is aimed at demanding, well informed buyers with an eye for detail and an awareness of competitive offerings. Coming in at better value than many of its peers, this version of the C5 is set well to attract those in need of affordable luxury - and even the odd ship-jumper.