Citroen C-Crosser 2009 review

As with most big Citroens, the reworked C-Crosser is well suited to an automatic box. It’s comfortable, rides well and is surprisingly responsive to drive. In Exclusive trim it’s very expensive, which means the threat of depreciation weighs heavily. But you get plenty of kit for your cash, while dealers are renowned for their great offers, so it’s worth a look.

The Santa Fe isn’t the only 4x4 that’s been updated. Citroen has also revised its C-Crosser, introducing a new gearbox and some tweaks under the skin to help clean up its act.

The big news is the addition of the French firm’s dual-clutch system (DCS) six-speed auto gearbox. It’s the first time the C-Crosser diesel has been offered with a self-shifter, and it gives smooth, swift changes. Drivers can also swap ratios manually via the silver steering paddles, plus there’s a Sport mode that gives sharper shifts.

What’s more, the HDi engine itself has been uprated. The 154bhp 2.2-litre gets a number of tweaks to ensure auto cars return impressive economy and emissions figures of 38.7mpg and 192g/km. The latter puts the C-Crosser in the £215-a-year road tax band J – not bad for a big SUV.

Inside, Citroen has added a new chrome finish to the dials and vents. The company claims to have improved quality, too, although the hard plastics don’t feel very robust.

Still, the stitched leather on the dash is classy, and there’s bags of room. Plus, the spec is improved, with Bluetooth and automatic wipers now included as standard. So the C-Crosser is well equipped, if a bit pricey.