Citroen C5 Tourer

02nd June 2008

Big on style, space and equipment, but small on price. That’s the new Citroen C5 Tourer, which has made its debut in the UK.

With the line-up starting from £16,695, the estate undercuts load-lugging rivals such as the Ford Mon­deo and Vauxhall Vectra.

However, even in entry-level form, it comes packed with kit as stan­dard. The specification tally includes hi-tech directional headlamps, plus auto­matic air-conditioning, seven airbags and cruise control.

As with the C5 saloon, the Tourer is available with either conventional steel springs or the marque’s fam­ous hydro-pneumatic self-levelling suspension. Trim choices are carried over from the four-door line-up, so buyers can take their pick from SX, VTR+ and Exclusive variants. Engine options are identical, too, with two petrol and four HDi diesel powerplants. Topping the range is the 2.7 HDi Exclusive model. It features a V6 oil-burning engine that delivers 208bhp, and is fitted with everything from electrically operated seats and part-leather trim to a powered tailgate.

The flagship costs £25,590 – and so is more than £5,000 cheaper than simi­larly sized prestige rivals, such as the Audi A4 Avant. But the big seller is expected to be the 2.0 HDi VTR+, priced at £19,595.