The Citroen C5 Aircross is an SUV, straddling the compact and medium segment. It measures 4.50 meters long, so it competes with cars like the Peugeot 3008 or the SEAT Ateca, as well as the Kia Sportage or the Ford Kuga. This SUV becomes one of Citroen’s flagships, being the first to equip the Progressive Hydraulic Cushions suspension and a plug-in hybrid powertrain, with an output of 300 hp. It is a very important vehicle for the French brand, which until now competed in the segment with the Citroen C3-Aircross, derived from the Mitsubishi ASX, and inferior measures. Don’t miss our midsize SUV buying guide with all the alternatives to the Citroën C5 Aircross.
The keys to the Citroen C5 Aircross
It is a car that stands out for its design. The Citroen C5 Aircross inherits some style codes from the Citroen C4 Cactus and especially drinks from the third generation Citroen C3. It is an SUV with a presence, with a good size grille and a characteristic double-split look. In the lower part of its doors, it has plastic protections, with details in color to match the roof bars and the front bumper. At the rear, with very vertical lines, we find two large LED lights, with a light signature to match the oval aspect of their exhaust pipes.
Like the Peugeot 3008 and Peugeot 5008, the Citroen C5 Aircross is built on the modular EMP2 platform of the PSA Group. The car was unveiled at the 2017 Shanghai Motor Show and is also built locally for the Chinese market, where Citroen owns a successful joint-venture with local manufacturer Dongfeng. The Citroen C5 saloon has been updated for the Chinese market, but in the European market, this SUV could replace the saloon, with low sales, clearly outdated on a technical level, and far from the current taste of consumers.
Citroen C5 Aircross engines
Although Citroen has not announced the final range of engines for the C5 Aircross, we know that it will use the same plug-in hybrid train as the DS 7 Crossback E-Tense, which combines a 200 hp 1.6 turbo engine with an electric motor and a 13 kWh battery, achieving an electric range of 60 km and a combined power of 300 hp. In the Chinese market, it will also be sold with 1.6 turbo engines of 165 hp and 200 hp, and we understand that in Europe it will do so with several BlueHDi turbodiesel and PureTech gasoline, with power levels that we estimate between 120 hp and 180 hp. One of its peculiarities is its all-wheel-drive system.
It will only be available in the hybrid version, the rest of the Citroen C5 Aircross being front-wheel drive. Like other PSA Group cars – such as the Peugeot 2008 – it has the Grip Control system. The Grip Control system a traction control that adjusts the response of the car according to the surface.
Combined with M + S tires, hill descent control, and correct off-road settings, it should be an SUV capable of light off-road use. Although Citroen has not announced the final range of engines for the C5 Aircross, we know it will employ the same plug-in hybrid train as the DS 7 Crossback E-Tense, which combines a 200 hp 1.6 turbo engine with an electric motor and a 13 kWh battery, achieving an electric range of 60 km and a combined power of 300 hp.
In the Chinese market, it will also be sold with 1.6 turbo engines of 165 hp and 200 hp, and we understand that in Europe it will do so with several BlueHDi turbodiesel and PureTech gasoline, with power levels that we estimate between 120 hp and 180 hp. One of its peculiarities is its all-wheel-drive system.
It will only be available in the hybrid version, the rest of the Citroen C5 Aircross being front-wheel drive. Like other PSA Group cars – such as the Peugeot 2008 – it has the Grip Control system. The Grip Control system a traction control that adjusts the response of the car according to the surface. Combined with M + S tires, hill descent control, and correct off-road dimensions, it should be an SUV capable of light off-road use.
Citroen C5 Aircross interior
In the development of the Citroen C5 Aircross, special emphasis has been placed on the space onboard, as well as the insulation, details highly valued by Asian consumers. The design of the dashboard and seats is futuristic and technological, marking a clear difference with the rest of the models in the Citroen range. It will only be offered with five seats and a boot of still unknown size.
100% digital instrumentation
A new detail at Citroen is the fully digital instrumentation of the C5 Aircross. Already seen on the DS 7 Crossback, it has 12.3 inches, clear-looking graphics, and extensive customization possibilities. In Peugeot vehicles, it is called i-Cockpit. This instrumentation is accompanied by an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, located in the center console and compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
