Review: Citroen C5 Aircross

Citroen’s second-generation C5 Aircross may not have been the perfect car in which to complete the annual pilgrimage to the Goodwood Festival of Speed, but it ticked many boxes.

While I once cherished the opportunity to line something sporty up alongside the eclectic steers of fellow attendees, the annual trip to sun-soaked West Sussex has become a family affair, four-up with weekend luggage.

As such, the new C5 Plus Hybrid (£33,135) made perfect sense.

In its latest guise, it is 152mm longer, its 4,652mm length exceeding that of a Kia Sportage (4,515mm) and Volkswagen Tiguan (4,439mm), a 565-litre boot sitting between their respective load spaces.

Furthermore, although Citroen’s design language is more angular and modern than quaint and quirky these days, the brand still prizes its focus on comfort.

C5 Aircross prices start at £30,495, with a choice of You, Plus and Max trims and hybrid, plug-in hybrid and fully electric (the e-C5 Aircross) drivetrains.

As tested, the front-wheel drive C5 Aircross Plus Hybrid delivered good value. However, its performance falls short of the class leaders.

Claimed fuel economy is 42.0-43.6mpg, while the 145bhp power output – on par with Skoda’s Karoq, rather than the more powerful Kia or VW – underpins a conservative 11.2 second dash to 62mph.

This reduced the scope for showing off as we left Lord March’s petrolheads’ paradise.

Standard in the C5 are Citroen’s heavily padded Advanced Comfort Seats and a suspension set-up which is far more supple than most in this segment.

Over our near-10-hour round trip to Goodwood, the C5 Aircross floated along admirably, the hybrid powertrain providing impressive refinement.

Only on potholed surfaces does the relaxed gait become flustered, the suspension crashing into more severe imperfections.

For the most part, the drivetrain’s limited output provides reasonable pace, electric assistance supplementing the surprisingly torquey, but harsh when worked hard, three-cylinder petrol engine.

Inside, the C5 Aircross disguises its price point well.

The stylish gloss plastic trim around the portrait-oriented, 13in 'waterfall' touchscreen infotainment system is easily marked but looks good and lighter plastics in low-down areas brighten things up.

A textured fabric panel spanning the dashboard also adds some welcome tactility.

Furthermore, the cabin’s ample storage is great for long journeys, the space beneath the centre console’s infotainment screen and wireless phone charger providing room for a pair of cupholders.

Alright, I was never going to spark envy among other festival goers in the C5 Aircross. But, as they trundled out in their firmly sprung classics, windows down to ease the temperature in their cramped cabins, the French SUV made perfect sense.

It remains a striking family SUV that undercuts many rivals on price and serves up impressive space and comfort. Just do not expect it to sate your appetite for speed.

Citroën C5 Aircross Plus Hybrid

Price: £34,100 (as tested)

Engine: 1.2-litre turbocharged hybrid

Power: 145bhp

Torque: 230Nm

Transmission: six-speed automatic

Top Speed: 125mph

Economy: 42.0-43.6mpg (WLTP combined)

0-62mph: 11.2 seconds

CO2 emissions: 123g/km