Citroen C5 Aircross

It's A Comfortable Affair!

Launched in India as Citroen’s first and flagship model, the C5 Aircross is unique, comfortable and a no-nonsense rival to the other premium crossover SUVs like the Jeep Compass, Hyundai Tucson, and the VW Taigun. With the launch of the new facelift iteration, the Italian carmaker now offers the C5 Aircross with a refreshed exterior styling, better features and just like before, class-leading comfort. But, should you actually buy one?

Citroen C5 Aircross Pros and Cons

Citroen C5 Aircross Exterior Design

The C5 Aircross, right from its launch, has offered a distinct and characterful design that not only gives it an exclusive look but is also appreciated for its sophisticated feel. The facelift is no different and proudly flaunts a similar styling dominated by bold front fascia, a tasteful blend of chrome and lots of plastic cladding for a robust profile. The SUV now features a twin-DRL setup positioned within the headlamp cluster, redesigned front grilles and a new bumper design with a shiny chin finished in silver. There is the same distinct body cladding, roof rails and an upright stance that give it a unique road presence. What is also new are the 18-inch alloys finished in two-tone shade, new tail-lights, and needless to say, new bumper design. In all, the C5 Aircross facelift boasts a mature and refined appearance, enhancing its unique Citroën styling while retaining its distinctive character.

Citroen C5 Aircross Interiors

Similarly, Citroen’s unconventional styling is noticed inside the cabin and the SUV retails most of its elements, save for a new infotainment system in the central area of the dashboard. This new 10-inch horizontally-oriented free-standing touchscreen infotainment has been a major highlight of the new facelift model and looks upmarket, with a crisp, clear and responsive display. The Italian carmaker however has missed a chance and hasn’t used an opportunity to include wireless mobile connectivity features like Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. The audio system too is generic and not at par with what the rivals offer. The overall dashboard layout looks clutter-free and the conventional gear selector is now replaced by a toggle-like selector. While the seats are comfortable and spacious, features like front seat ventilation, seat memory and 360-degree camera are still missing. There is plenty of room at the rear and the rear bench offers an impressive seating experience. 

Citroen C5 Aircross Comfort

Ever since its launch, the C5 Aircross has been loved for its suspension setup and class-leading ride quality. The facelift, with its new and better seats, has spiced up the game even more and should impress most with the overall in-cabin comfort. The rear-seat bench however misses out on a central armrest while the seat belt buckles might also feel a bit intrusive. Having said this, the overall cushioning and support offered by the seats of the C5 Aircross is unmatched in its class while the suspension setup, with ‘progressive hydraulic cushions’, too does a great job of absorbing the undulations and potholes while moving over bad surfaces. 

Citroen C5 Aircross Performance and Handling

With only one diesel engine on offer, the new Citroen C5 Aircross may not be a valid option for those seeking a petrol SUV, but despite that, is liked for its smooth and powerful 177hp, 2.0-litre oil burner. This engine comes mated to an 8-speed auto gearbox and boasts a 0-100 kmph time of under 10 seconds. The three drive modes – Sport, Normal and Eco – alter the performance of this motor but by only a slight margin. Just like before, the SUV also gets different traction modes – Snow, Mud and Sand. 

Citroen C5 AircrossKey specifications

Citroen C5 Aircross Safety Features

For those concerned about safety, the C5 Aircross boasts a long list of standard safety features including as many as six airbags, blind spot information system, ESP, Hill Descent Control, Hill Start Assist, traction control, electric parking brake, reversing camera and ISOFIX mounts. What's more, there are multiple other safety features, such as coffee break alerts, volumetric, and tilt alarms.

Citroen C5 Aircross Technology and Infotainment

The new facelift model of the C5 Aircross brings a new 25.4 cm touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 31.24 cm customizable TFT digital instrument cluster, electric seat adjustment for front passengers, hands-free electric tailgate and a large panoramic sunroof. Other than this, the new C5 Aircross also gets multiple other features like dual-zone auto climate control and air quality system with pollen filter, activated carbon filter and active odour filter. 

Is the Citroen C5 Aircross for You?

A premium cabin, comfortable seats, and an excellent suspension setup are just a few of the many points that work in favour of the Citroen C5 Aircross, giving it an edge over its main rivals like the Hyundai Tucson in India. Furthermore, you also get excellent build quality and distinctive looks, along with well-sorted practicality and ergonomics. Despite all that, what this SUV misses out on are several essential features we expect at this price point, a potent petrol powertrain, a dependable after-sales service, and yet-to-be-proven long-term reliability.