With Citroën introducing their great looking C5 Aircross not so long ago, a car which harks back to the innovations and Gallic eccentricities of days gone by, it would seem like a more than ideal opportunity to assess what’s been going on with what Citroën are calling their ‘Comfort class SUV.’
The exterior of the C5 with a particularly distinctive front end displaying Halogen headlights (low & high beam), Front fog lights with cornering function, incredibly sleek LED day-time running lights, LED front indicators and that rather iconic double chevron design front grille. At the bottom of the doors Citroën have deployed their unique and distinctive Airbump® (bodywork saving) technology whilst subtle use of chrome on the window surrounds and rear privacy glass helps to create a rather more upmarket look than is perhaps the norm.
You’ve got a typical SUV driving position affording you great all round visibility, a premium feel from the extremely comfortable grey grained leather and graphite cloth seats complementing the grey centre console and dash. And then there’s the horizontal lines of the dashboard which subtly incorporate a range of useful technology such as the 8” touch screen located centrally amongst the Airbump® aping air vents. A touchscreen that allows access to the thoroughly up to date Bluetooth phone connection, SAT NAV, climate control, music streaming, Android Auto, Apple CarPlayTM and MirrorLink®. Whichever way you look at it, the C5 Aircross is a special place to spend time in. And that’s before you consider the amount of space and light created by the panoramic glass roof fitted to this Flair edition.
Technological advancement has long been part of Citroën’s essential DNA and is another area where the C5 Aircross doesn’t disappoint, highlights of which, in MotorMartin’s opinion, include: Highway driver assist, adaptive cruise control with stop & go function and active lane departure warning system to name but a few. All of this technology is no good though if it creates a drive that feels too distant or uninvolved for all concerned, after all you expect a little something extra when driving a Citroën, something that harks back to and celebrates the avant- garde history behind the marque.
Once driving you quickly realise how successfully this C5 links with models gone by as the quality of the ride is sublime. Citroën themselves call this the flying carpet effect and explain how their newly developed Progressive Hydraulic Cushions® help to redefine pure driving comfort. Smoothing away both large bumps and minor surface imperfections. But does it work? The short answer is yes, the longer answer is most definitely. Longer journeys become a luxury to look forward to rather than a chore, exactly as they should be when owning a larger Citroën.
The engine in this particular C5 is the BlueHDi 130 S&S iteration which provides 129 bhp at 3750 rpm. There’s torque of 300 Nm at 1750 rpm, CO2 emissions of 108 g/km and a maximum claimed economy of up to 56.3 mpg and this from a turbo charged direct injection diesel engine only displacing 1499cc!
It’s safe to say that the Citroën C5 Aircross BlueHDi 130 S&S EAT8 automatic is an excellent choice for the modern driver who wants something a little different from the mainstream. Someone who appreciates that style, comfort and practicality can combine in such a way that you wonder why it hasn’t been done before. At least by someone other than Citroën that is. Put simply. This is a great car, you should buy one.
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