Citroen C5 X 1.2 PureTech 130 Shine Plus 5dr EAT8 Petrol Estate

Ten Second Review

If Citroen is to return to its traditionalist roots, it needs a big, plush comfort-orientated quirky flagship model. Which is exactly what we've got with this car, the unusual but potentially rather pleasing C5 X. It's an unusual confection, but the right kind of customer might rather like it.

Background

It's been a long time since we've had a credible large Citroen. Come to think of it, it's been a long time since we've been offered any kind of large Citroen at all, the last one being the quirky XM, the successor to the CX models of the '70s and '80s. Yet here we are telling you about the C5 X, offered in a single body style delivering that unusual combination of SUV, estate and luxury saloon. Yes, the same kind of combination characterised by the notably unsuccessful BMW 3, 5 and 6 series Gran Turismo models. On a car sharing a badge with a Mondeo sector model deleted a few years back for slow sales. From a brand with no history of success against the German premium makers who dominate the luxury car segment. You've got to cheer for the underdog haven't you? And we rather like this one, a car with an 'X' suffix referencing its market position positioning 'at the crossroads of customers' needs', according to Citroen.

Driving Experience

Designer Pierre Leclerq says that the C5 X 'is a car you want to drive but also one you want to be driven in as well'. This C5 X wants to replicate the 'magic carpet' driving feel of classic large Citroens of the past like the DS and the CX. And to that end mates the Hydraulic Cushion suspension setup of the C5 Aircross SUV with the Active suspension system we first saw on the DS 7 Crossback, which uses a camera to anticipate bumps, preconditioning the springs to soften them. There are three variable ride settings, from sporty to extreme comfort. Engine-wise, it's familiar Peugeot/Citroen fare, all the powerplants matched to the brand's smooth EAT8 automatic transmission. There's an entry-level 130hp 1.2-litre PureTech three cylinder petrol turbo unit and a 1.6 litre PureTech 180 petrol unit. Alternatively, you can opt for the flagship Plug-in Hybrid 225 e-EAT8 derivative which combines a 180hp 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor powered by a 13.2kWh battery. Double glazed windows promise superb refinement whichever of the engines you choose. This hybrid C5 X can offer full electric motoring at speeds of up to 84mph. The Hybrid variant comes with three driving modes - Electric, Hybrid and Sport. Electric mode gives up to 34 miles of zero emissions range, while Hybrid offers the best of both worlds. Sport maximises performance from both the electric motor and the petrol engine. Drivers can also adjust the regenerative braking mode, while an e-Save function allows drivers to reserve electric range for later in the journey - when arriving in city centres or urban areas, for example.

Design and Build

Well it looks a bit different doesn't it? Depending on your perspective and what angle you view it from, this is either a Crossover, a big estate or a luxury large hatch. The looks and the interior are inspired by the CXexperience concept car of 2016, but all the engineering underneath is based on the usual Stellantis Group EMP2 chassis underpinnings. So, a Peugeot 508 in a more unusual set of clothes? Well you won't think so once you take a seat inside because it feels very different, thanks to Citroen's 'Advanced Comfort' design ethos which includes thick lounge-type front chairs you can really sink into. The cabin tech though, is largely a re-packaged version of what we've seen before in other large Peugeots and DS models. So a digital instrument cluster, a colour head-up display and a 12-inch centre touchscreen with voice control and over-the-air updates. Perhaps the biggest difference here is the space you get further back, thanks to the lengthy 2,785mm wheelbase. There's an enormous amount of rear seat space, with the airy feel enhanced by big panoramic roof and large windows. And you get a capacious 545-litre boot, extendable to 1,640-litres with the seats folded. Boot space falls to 485-litres and 1,580-litres for the PHEV variant.

Market and Model

Pricing starts from just over £26,000 (or from around £35,000 for the PHEV hybrid) and there's the one single body shape on offer. There are three trim levels, 'Sense Plus', 'Shine' and 'Shine Plus'. Across the range, you get a lot of equipment included - Citroen's most advanced infotainment interface yet for instance, which has a particular focus on connectivity. Featuring a 12-inch high-definition touch screen, four USB sockets and wireless smartphone charging, it can also be updated in real time via the Cloud and can Mirror Screen smartphone displays without the need to plug them in. The design of its interface has been heavily influenced by the latest tablet technology, which means the settings, display preferences and widgets on the home screen can all be quickly and easily customised. This system also has a natural, efficient and easy-to-use voice recognition system, a digital personal assistant that understands what is said to it, answers questions and carries out commands. The C5 X is also at the cutting edge of technology in the field of driving assistance systems, thanks to its use of various advanced devices installed all around the vehicle, including radar and numerous cameras and sensors. With its 'Highway Driver Assist' system, this Citroen offers advanced semi-autonomous level 2 driving. By combining 'Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go' and 'Lane Keeping Assist', the driver no longer needs to manage speed or trajectory as the vehicle takes care of all these functions. Other features that make driving easier and stress-free include long range 'Blind Spot Detection' and 'Rear Cross Traffic Alert', which detects a danger when reversing.

Cost of Ownership

Citroen usually specialises in extremely efficient running cost returns and this C5 X is no different in that regard. Expect the 1.6 PureTech 180 petrol unit with its EAT8 auto transmission to be able to return around 45mpg on the combined cycle and 147g/km of CO2. It's 136g/km for the 1.2-litre 130hp PureTech unit. For really frugal running cost returns though, you'll need the clever hybrid plug-in variant, which returns up to 235mpg on the combined cycle. This uses a 13.2kWh battery which can be fully charged in under two hours using a standard 7kW Wallbox. Once that's done, an all-electric WLTP-rated driving range of around 34 miles is possible. Even better news is the CO2 reading applied to this model, around 30g/km, which means that it should attract a Benefit-in-Kind rate for company car drivers of no more than 11%. New C5 X Hybrid versions all come as standard with a 7.4kW single-phase on-board charger, a Mode 3 charging cable with a Type 2 connector, as well as remote temperature pre-conditioning. Whatever your choice of C5 X, you'll properly want to keep garage costs in check by opting for the affordable 3 year servicing plan that is available at point of purchase. Finally, there's the usual Citroen three year / 60,000 mile warranty.

By Jonathan Crouch

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