Citroën C5 X first drive review 2022

Citroën C5 X – Citroën has just launched their beautifully designed C5 X which blurs the lines between wagon, SUV and sedan.   Citroën is known for producing cars with both innovation and stunning design right from the days of the Citroen 2CV, CX Pallas through to the current C4. The C5 X marks a definite return to the larger long distance tourer for the brand.

As  side note as a kid a neighbour had a CX Pallas with the hydro-pneumatic self-levelling suspension, and we actually convinced him to drive down the street on three wheels. Something you done see every day.

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Fast forward to the C5 X and the Advanced Comfort program allows a comfortable ride for the occupants.

The C5 X comes in one well equipped model that is powered by a turbocharged 1.6L PureTech Petrol engine, producing 133kW of power, paired with an 8-speed Efficient Automatic Transmission.

This is more than enough around town and on the freeway it is remarkably free and cruises with ease.

Pricing for the Citroën C5 X is $57,670 plus the usual costs and given the level of standard equipment, the elegant design and the superlative ride dynamics, its actually really good value.

This is a Motoring Minute

Im Rob Fraser

*MLP Includes GST and LCT but excluding statutory charges, dealer costs and dealer delivery. See your dealer for RDAP. Does not include price of options. Some features mentioned in the article are options. RDAP means Recommended Drive Away Price (without options but including all other charges)

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Citroën C5 X more details

Citroën continues its Australian market expansion with the introduction of the all-new C5 X to its local model range. This latest example of the large passenger Citroën, which will be sold here in just one highly specified model grade, follows in the footsteps of such legendary cars as the DS, XM and CX.

Like so many of its forebears, the new Citroën C5 X bristles with innovation and boasts unrivalled comfort courtesy of the Citroën Advanced Comfort™ Program focusing on two areas, ride and comfort, through its Citroën Advanced Comfort™ Seats and Citroën Advanced Comfort™ Suspension with ride qualities provided by the suspension’s Progressive Hydraulic Cushions™.

Highlights

• Australian debut
• One single highly specified model
• Crossover between sedan, wagon and SUV,
• Features Citroën Advanced Comfort™ Program
• Progressive Hydraulic Cushion suspension

Citroën C5 X exterior

In a word – BEAUTIFUL

It’s typically Citroën, elegant, sophisticated and stylish. It looks good in photos and even better in the flesh.

They have managed to almost perfect the crossover design. Long sedan like bonnet, higher SUV like stance and stylish wagon/fastback rear.

The styling is further enhanced with distinctive V-shaped front and rear lighting signatures, complementing the Chevrons, making the newcomer instantly recognisable as a Citroën.

Some exterior features include:

• Chevron badging on the radiator grille,
• 3D LED daylight running lights and LED headlights and taillights,
• fluid and aerodynamic lines, a high waistline and distinctive kick-up over the rear wheels,
• black contrasting bi-tone roof,
• slender A, B, C and D pillars, enhanced by a generous glass area,
• Aerodynamic wheel arches housing specially designed 19 inch alloys with 205/55 tyres.
• Rear roof lip spoiler,
• High opening tailgate to allow easy access without banging the head
• Elegant body-coloured door handles and gloss black power-operated, heating, and folding exterior mirrors.
• Stylish aerodynamic roof bars also add to C5 X’s SUV appeal.

What is the Citroën C5 X like inside?

Again one word – Sumptuous.

The underlying design philosophy revolves around Citroën Advanced Comfort™ Program.

First impression is of space. There is plenty of room for even larger drivers such as myself. Being larger than the average bear I’m sometimes cramped, not so in the C5 X.

Special mention must go to the seats. Multi-layer comfort, soft initially, firmer the longer you sit to support for longer drives. They are excellent. They are also multi electronically adjustable, including additional lumbar support, heated and ventilated.

When drivers enter the vehicle, the seat automatically moves backwards for easier access, returning to the stored driving position once the driver is seated.

In front of the driver is an unusual shaped thick rimmed, heated, multi-function steering wheel. It fits comfortably in the hands and frames a 7 inch configurable driver instrument panel. It’s not the usual style but once you get used to it and the way you configure it as you want it works a treat.

There is a large 12 inch HD touch screen with ambient backlighting that is also configurable for up to 6 different profiles from memory. It houses the infotainment connectivity and also the wireless smart phone mirroring and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Again the level of functionality can be a touch hard to grasp up front as there is so much, but time and playing will allow individualisation to suit individual driver needs.

Exceptional legroom front and rear, comfortable width and generous headroom also promote a feeling of openness, especially for rear seat occupants.

The windscreen and front and rear side glass are acoustically laminated to provide exceptional insulation from external noise and the side windows are tinted to maximise relaxation.

Some more C5 X interior features

• As mentioned, panoramic opening glass roof
• windscreen projected Extended Head-Up Display (e-HUD),
• keyless proximity locking and unlocking, keyless entry and keyless push button start
• tailgate is motorised and has a convenient hands-free function
• Abundance of large and practical interior storage spaces
• Automatic dual-zone, climate control air conditioning.
• ambient lighting with adjustable intensity
• Illuminated glovebox, boot and centre console compartment, footwells and interior door handles.
• advanced natural voice recognition
• four USB ‘C’ sockets – two front and two rear – and two 12-volt power outlets (one in the front console and the other in the boot) plus a wireless smartphone charging pad

Citroën Connected Services

Citroën buyers will be able to experience Connected Services, or an internet-connected vehicle to help with a range of navigation tasks.

This includes live carpark space availability, locating fuel outlets and fuel price, with live traffic routing, internet enabled map searching and map updates, as well as warning of speed camera locations and accident danger zones.

Connected Services also enable advanced native voice recognition for all navigation searches and vehicle functions.

Owners require a subscription through the Citroën website or the myCitroën app and is free for three years from vehicle warranty start date. Customers have the option to purchase additional incremental one or three year extensions to the complimentary three year period.

Citroën C5 X engine and drivetrain

Power is provided by a PureTech 180 petrol engine, a turbocharged 1.6-litre, four-cylinder unit delivering 133kW of power at 5,500rpm and 250 Nm of torque at 1,650rpm.

This drives the front wheels through an eight-speed Efficient Automatic Transmission (EAT8) for both smooth shifting and performance. There is selectable three mode drive program and the C5 X will reach a 230km/h top speed and covers 0-100km/hr in 8.1 seconds

Overall, around town this is more than adequate. The small sections of freeway driving we did on the launch was restricted by torrential rain, but given past experience with this type of engine, it will cruise smoothly and easily. More information will come after a longer drive.

Economy is rated at 6.0L/100k and that’s fairly efficient.

What is the Citroën C5 X like to drive?

C5 X is so smooth and unfazed by road irregularities, and particularly quiet.

This comes from the acoustic windows, the suspension’s Progressive Hydraulic Cushions™ and the steering responsiveness.

Citroën males a big deal about the “magic carpet like ride” and never having ridden on a magic carpet I can’t comment, but it’s like riding on air.

Front suspension is Front Macpherson strut suspension with double (compression & rebound) Progressive Hydraulic Cushions™

Rear suspension is Rear multi-link suspension with double (compression & rebound) Progressive Hydraulic Cushions™

Citroën Advanced Comfort™ Suspension uses Progressive Hydraulic Cushions™, hydraulic stops – one for compression and the other for rebound – and separate to the springs and dampers – which work on both compression and rebound to moderate suspension movement and eliminate harshness.

This has the effect of smoothing out Sydney’s horrible roads and soaking up all but the deepest potholes.

Citroën C5 X Safety

C5 X is packed with the latest safety features including; (for those that like to read the details)

• Driver and front passenger frontal airbags , lateral airbags and curtain airbags
• Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) with low light pedestrian & cyclist detection
• Forward Collision Warning
• In-crash braking (multi collision braking)
• Pedestrian protection active bonnet
• Unfastened seatbelt visual warning system on all seats plus audible warning for driver/front passenger
• Front inertia reel seatbelt with pre-tensioners and force-limiters. Five 3-point inertia reel seat belts
• Outer rear seats (x2) with ISOFIX mounting points including (x3) top tether rear seats
• Electronic Stability Program (ESP) with intelligent traction control
• Hill Start Assist function
• Tyre under-inflation detection
• Electric rear door child locks and Deadlocking
• Coffee Break Alert
• Driver Attention Alert
• Blind spot detection (extended range)
• Rear Cross Traffic Alert
• Lane Positioning Assist (active)
• Lane Keep Assist (active)
• Extended Traffic Sign Recognition
• Speed Limit Recommendation
• Adaptive Cruise Control with complete Stop & Go function
• Cruise control Intellegent Speed Adaptation (double push button)
• Speed limiter function
• Front and rear parking sensors
• 4 high definition parking cameras
• Visiopark 360-degree top-down parking image

Citroën C5 X owner benefits

All-new Citroën C5 X comes with Citroën’s five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty, five-year roadside assistance and five-year Service Price Promise program.

With a range of finance offerings, including Guaranteed Future Value (GFV) available, customers can enjoy enhanced flexibility and choice through participating Citroën Financial Services retailers, making the journey to purchasing an all-new Citroën C5 X as streamlined and seamless as possible.

Final thoughts

Citroën ensures C5 X perfectly meets the needs of customers wanting a large, modern, functional alternative to sedans, wagons and SUVs. In other words, all-new C5 X is a car for buyers who don’t want to be locked into the mainstream.

C5 X isn’t for everyone, that’s what makes Citroën cars so appealing. They are for discerning buyers that want something just a little bit different.