Citroen C5 Aircross is a stylish and well appointed SUV
The Citroen C5 Aircross is the French automaker's latest offering in the SUV segment and while the brand might not be a popular choice in the local market, that hasn't stopped them from offering some interesting vehicles. Launched in 2018 and now refreshed, this compact SUV has already gained a reputation for its unique styling, spacious cabin, and comfortable ride. Here's a closer look at what the Citroen C5 Aircross has to offer.
The Citroen C5 Aircross has a distinctively French design, which sets it apart from its competitors. The front grille features the brand's signature double-chevron design, while the slim LED headlights give it a futuristic look. Visually larger and more imposing, the C5 Aircross introduces a new design language where roundness gives way to more structured lines. The front-end styling adopts a new face, with more vertical taut lines contributing to a visually larger front face for C5 Aircross.
The C5 Aircross has a high ground clearance, which gives it a commanding presence on the road. The SUV's side profile is characterized by a prominent beltline and flared wheel arches, which add to its ruggedness. The rear of the C5 Aircross features slim LED taillights and a unique two-tone bumper design. It has a new three-dimensional LED light signature at the rear, this new modern design accentuates elegance and consistency with the front light signature.
Step inside the Citroen C5 Aircross, and you'll be greeted with a spacious and well-designed cabin. The SUV features a minimalist dashboard with a large 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a new 10-inch tablet-like infotainment touchscreen. The touchscreen supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the system is intuitive and easy to use. The C5 Aircross has plenty of storage spaces, including a large glovebox, deep door pockets, and a center console with a sliding armrest.
The SUV can seat five adults comfortably, and the rear seats can slide and recline for added comfort. The boot capacity is 580 liters, which is expandable to 720 liters with the rear seats folded.
The Citroen C5 Aircross is equipped with a range of safety features, including lane departure warning, speed limit recognition, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking. The SUV also features Citroen's Advanced Comfort suspension system, which uses progressive hydraulic cushions to absorb bumps and improve ride comfort.
Furthermore, the C5 Aircross driver benefits from numerous driving aids, including adaptive cruise control with stop & go function and Active Lane Departure Warning to provide an amplified feeling of safety thanks to the permanent support of the drive.
Powering the C5 Aircross is a 1.6 Turbocharged 4-cylinder petrol engine pushing out 121 kW of power and 240 Nm of torque paired with a 6-speed conventional automatic gearbox. Power is adequate and fairly responsive from takeoff and the powertrain felt agreeable throughout our time with the car.
The Citroën C5 Aircross is a pleasant mid-size SUV. It has a good amount of specification. The C5 Aircross is a stylish and practical SUV that offers plenty of space, comfort, and performance. Its unique design sets it apart from its competitors, and its well-equipped cabin and advanced safety features make it an attractive option in its segment, it is however just so unfortunate that South African buyers do not explore vehicles like this as they should.
Also worth a look: the New Citroën Aircross: Family-Friendly and Feature-Packed and the Citroen C3.
FAQ
Q: What does the Citroen C5 Aircross cost in South Africa?
The Citroen C5 Aircross starts at around R699,900 for the base Shine model and goes up to R749,900 for the top-spec Shine Plus variant, making it competitively priced against rivals like the Peugeot 3008 and Mazda CX-5.
Q: Is the Citroen C5 Aircross worth buying?
The C5 Aircross is worth considering if you want something different with excellent comfort and distinctive French styling, but be prepared for potentially higher servicing costs and limited dealer network compared to mainstream brands like Toyota or Hyundai.
Q: What engine does the Citroen C5 Aircross have?
The C5 Aircross comes with a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine producing 121 kW and 240 Nm of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive only.
Q: How reliable is the Citroen C5 Aircross?
Citroen's reliability has improved significantly in recent years, and the C5 Aircross comes with a five-year or 100,000 km warranty, though long-term reliability data is still limited due to the brand's relatively small presence in South Africa.
Q: What are the main competitors to the Citroen C5 Aircross?
The C5 Aircross competes directly with the Peugeot 3008, Mazda CX-5, Honda CR-V, and Hyundai Tucson in the compact SUV segment, though it offers more distinctive styling and comfort-focused suspension than most rivals.
Should You Buy It?
The Citroen C5 Aircross is a solid choice if you're after something different in the R700,000 compact SUV space. It offers genuinely comfortable seating, distinctive French styling that'll stand out in any mall parking lot, and decent equipment levels with that large touchscreen and digital cluster. The ride quality is genuinely impressive, soaking up our pothole-riddled roads better than most rivals. However, you'll pay a premium for the French flair, and Citroen's dealer network is limited compared to Toyota or Hyundai. If you want the best value compact SUV under R750,000 in South Africa, the Hyundai Tucson offers better warranty support and resale value. But if you're willing to be different and prioritise comfort over practicality, the C5 Aircross delivers a refreshing alternative to the usual German and Japanese offerings.
