Citroen C5 Aircross review

Is the Citroen C5 Aircross a good car?

If comfort is your top priority, there are few mid-size SUVs that come close to the Citroen C5 Aircross, and its unique design allows the Aircross to look the part when parked next to its many rivals. It also makes a good case for itself as a family car, because most variants (except the PHEV) have over 500 litres of boot space, although rear passenger space is a little bit snug. 

However, the trade-off for all of this comfort is a complete lack of any driver engagement, and the C5 Aircross’s budget-friendly nature is rather obvious when sitting inside it, because the cabin is filled with cheap materials and an infuriating infotainment system. It’s not a perfect car, but its reasonable starting price helps to make up for its foibles.

How much does the Citroen C5 Aircross cost? 

The mid-size SUV sector is a fiercely fought one, with everything ranging from bargain basement models like the MG HS to more upmarket offerings like the Lexus NX. As with many of its current models, Citroen is aiming towards the budget-friendly end of the scale with the C5 Aircross, with prices starting from less than £24,500. 

This means it manages to undercut several competitors including the Skoda Karoq, Ford Kuga, Nissan Qashqai, Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson.

For this price you will get a Citroen C5 Aircross in entry-level Plus trim, and this will be powered by a 1.2-litre 3-cylinder petrol engine. If you want the same spec but with diesel power, you’ll be looking at a premium of around £2,500. It may be the base model, but the Plus’s standard kit is still reasonably generous with 18-inch alloy wheels, a ten-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, dual-zone climate control, LED headlights, and a reversing camera with top-down view.

Next up is the mid-range Max trim, which introduces extra kit and two additional powertrain options. Along with the standard petrol and diesel engines, you can choose from a 1.2-litre petrol engine with mild-hybrid tech or a 1.6-litre petrol plug-in hybrid. Whichever powertrain you choose, you’ll have extras such as keyless entry, front fog lights, and heated electric door mirrors thrown in. This trim level ranges from just under £28,500 for the petrol to around £36,500 for the plug-in hybrid.

At the top of the Citroen C5 Aircross line-up sits the ë-series, and this is only available with either a MHEV or PHEV powertrain. This version adds a panoramic roof, a contrasting Perla Nera Black roof, larger 19-inch alloys, and carpet floor mats. This range-topper starts from just over £34,000 for the mild hybrid, rising to over £39,000 for the plug-in hybrid.

Citroen C5 Aircross alternatives

There’s no shortage of mid-size SUVs to choose from on the current market, with everything ranging from diesel to fully electric options. Our 2024 Mid-size SUV of the Year, the Hyundai Tucson, and its Kia Sportage sibling are two fierce contenders to the Citroen C5 Aircross, while rivals like the Skoda Karoq, Nissan Qashqai and Vauxhall Grandland are just a few of the alternatives you could consider. If you’d rather go fully-electric, models like the Nissan Ariya, Tesla Model Y and Renault Scenic should also be considered.

​Citroen’s unique approach to developing the C5 Aircross doesn’t just extend to the exterior design, as every variant benefits from Citroen’s Progressive Hydraulic Cushion suspension. The suspension works by replacing the usual bump stops with a pair of hydraulic dampers, and the theory is that it will make the C5 Aircross feel like a Citroen from the days when cars carrying the double chevrons were famous for gliding over bumps.

Of more concern is that the C5 Aircross thumps into even mild potholes and bumps, sending a nasty shiver through the car’s body. The effect is that the Aircross’s suspension manages to tell you about bumps you might not even see – which is confusing given that you’re unlikely to feel them through the numb steering. While not full of feel, that steering is at least light, and the turning circle is usefully tight. 

The Aircross is fitted with Advanced Comfort Seats; they’re a strange mixture of plenty of under-thigh support but little to keep you in place laterally when the car turns. Driven briskly through bends, they compound the problem of the softer suspension that has you swaying this way and that. On the plus side, the driving position is decent enough, and reasonable visibility and large door mirrors make manoeuvring easy.

What is the Citroen C5 Aircross like to drive?

In town

It’s a large car, but the Citroen C5 Aircross is easy enough to manoeuvre and park on smaller roads. If you find yourself sitting in traffic more often than you’d like, opting for one of the hybrid models will make this a much quieter affair, as these are programmed to run on electric power as much as possible. Naturally, this also makes them more efficient..

On A- and B-roads

Approach a backroad bend too quickly, and it’s here where you’ll pay the price for the Citroen C5 Aircross’ compliant ride. While it doesn’t feel like it’s lacking in grip, the soft and floaty suspension means you’ll quickly become very well acquainted with your passenger or door, depending on which direction you turn the wheel due to the body lean. Ease off the throttle, and body movements are slightly less dramatic.

On the motorway

At a 70mph cruise, the C5 Aircross rides exactly as advertised, gliding along with occupants completely cocooned from the outside world. Refinement is excellent, too, thanks to its acoustic windscreen and extra sound-proofing crammed into the engine bay that ensure things remain seriously serene. 

0-62mph acceleration and top speed

The C5 Aircross Hybrid (which is actually a mild-hybrid) uses a 136bhp PureTech petrol engine mated to an electric motor to boost efficiency. This powertrain manages to run purely on electricity at very low speeds, which is particularly beneficial in traffic. It’s not exactly a performance car, because it’ll take 10.2 seconds to reach 62mph from a standstill.

While it works well enough, the hybrid system can make some very unusual and slightly unnerving whining noises. The petrol engine is fairly quiet when it does kick in, unless you have your foot to the floor, and the six-speed dual-clutch gearbox is reasonably responsive. 

If you prefer the more traditionally frugal choice, the C5 Aircross is still available with diesel power. The 131bhp 1.5-litre BlueHDi engine is perky when it comes to performance, and it’ll cover the 0-62mph sprint in 10.6 seconds. Noise levels remain well subdued thanks to extra sound proofing under the bonnet. 

The 1.2-litre, three-cylinder PureTech petrol also develops 131bhp, and this is slightly faster than the diesel with an official 0-62mph time of 10.5 seconds.

The most efficient model in the C5 Aircross line-up is the 224bhp PureTech plug-in hybrid. This consists of a 1.6-litre petrol engine and an electric motor that’s powered by a 13.2kW battery. This allows the PHEV to cover up to 36 miles on pure-electric power. It’s also the fastest C5 Aircross with a 0-62mph time of 8.7 seconds and 140mph top speed.

​Those looking for the best economy should look to the C5 Aircross plug-in hybrid. It uses a PureTech 225 engine, but with an electric motor sandwiched between the power unit and the eight-speed automatic gearbox. 

Citroen claims this setup can return up to 36 miles of all-electric range, along with CO2 emissions of just 33g/km, and the official WLTP combined MPG figure stands at over 200mpg. However, as with most PHEVs, you’ll struggle to achieve this outside of a laboratory. It wouldn’t be unrealistic to expect over 60mpg with regular charging, though.

The 1.5 BlueHDi 130 diesel also offers impressive fuel economy, returning a maximum 54.1mpg along with CO2 emissions from 129g/km.

If you opt for petrol power, the PureTech 130 engine returns a claimed 48.9mpg and emits as low as 128g/km of CO2. There is a slight efficiency penalty if you opt for the eight-speed automatic, though, as this is slightly thirstier and pushes CO2 emissions up to 140g/km.

Tax

There’s no fully-electric version of the Citroen C5 Aircross, so company car drivers will be best off with the plug-in hybrid model, because this incurs the lowest Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) tax rate.

Insurance 

Insurance groups for the C5 Aircross are reasonable, with petrol, diesel and mild-hybrid models ranging from group 18-21 (out of 50). Premiums for the more powerful plug-in hybrid versions will be more expensive as they sit in group 28.

Depreciation

Citroen has a history of offering dealer incentives and discounts, meaning the C5 Aircross can be found with an appealing monthly finance rate. In some respects, this is a safer way into an Aircross than purchasing it outright because it insulates you from depreciation – a factor that has not been particularly kind to Citroens in years gone by.

As it competes in one of the most hotly contested segments of the market, the C5 Aircross isn’t performing brilliantly when it comes to retaining its initial value. Our expert data predicts the Citroen will retain an average of 39 to 49 per cent of its value over three years and 36,000 miles, with the PHEV faring the worst.

To get an accurate valuation on a specific model check out our free car valuation tool...

​As you’d expect, the Citroen C5 Aircross follows the design themes established by the smaller Citroen C3 Aircross, with slim LED daytime running lights that run into the familiar Citroen grille, with its oversized double chevrons. 

Airbumps continue along the side, and the cladding helps to avoid the slab-sided look of some other mid-size SUVs. The deep windows offer good visibility, while the back is a little more conventional, but still manages to feature smart-looking 3D LED tail-lights.

What is the Citroen C5 Aircross like inside?

As with the suspension, Citroen’s focus on comfort extends to the big, squishy Advanced Comfort chairs that come as standard from Flair trim upwards, and are nicely finished in leather. Kids will love the three rear seats, which are the same size as those in the front, and move and slide individually. Knee space in the back isn’t overly generous, nor is the amount of headroom if you opt for a panoramic sunroof.

What is the interior quality like? 

Swing open one of the Aircross’s doors, and you’re greeted by an interior that’s just as distinctive as the exterior, with the Airbump theme carried over on the door panels. However, some of the plastics used here feel a bit cheap – as does the finish around the chrome door handle and window switches. It’s a strange mix inside, with some really nice, expensive-looking elements and places where you can clearly see that money has been saved.

Sat-nav, stereo and infotainment 

Every model gets a 12.3-inch digital instrument display, which replaces conventional analogue dials, and allows extra information, such as navigation instructions, to be shown in an easy-to-read format right in the driver’s direct line of sight.

All models now include a ten-inch central infotainment touchscreen with integrated sat-nav. DAB and Bluetooth as standard, and the system also has both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. You may wish to make the most of this connectivity, too, as Citroen’s own software is quite frustratingly laid out. We found some of the symbols to be unclear, and several functions were tricky to access quickly. It wasn’t particularly responsive to the touch, either.

Although the Citroen C5 Aircross is quite boldly styled and distinctive for a mid-size SUV, the best news is that the brand hasn’t lost sight of the most important aspect for family car buyers: space and practicality.

Dimensions and size

The C5 Aircross is a nice, round 4,500mm long, 1,969mm wide and 1,689mm tall, with a 2,730mm wheelbase, making it slightly bigger in all dimensions than a Skoda Karoq.

Although the interior isn’t as cavernous as a Hyundai Santa Fe or Honda CR-V, it is still very spacious with wide door pockets, a small glovebox and a centre console that can be optioned up to include wireless smartphone charging.

How practical is the Citroen C5 Aircross?

Up front, the C5 Aircross has plenty of space in all dimensions aside from headroom – cars fitted with the panoramic roof really suffer from the dent it makes in available overhead space. However, it’s not compulsory unless you opt for the top-spec trim, so we’re keen to try one without to see if this problem is rectified.

Seats & space in the front

Visibility from the driver’s seat is very good – another of Citroen’s weapons in its crusade for comfort is an unobstructed view. The Advanced Comfort Seats, standard from the mid-range Flair trim, are comfortable as advertised, but only up to a point. Drive enthusiastically, and you’ll notice a lack of side support, meaning that gentle progress is the only way to ensure back pain isn’t an issue.

Seats & space in the back

Taller rear passengers will feel a little bit snug in the C5 Aircross due to its fairly high floor and limited space for feet. Occasionally on longer journeys shouldn’t be too unpleasant, though, and there’s still more than enough space for the youngest family members.

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Boot space 

Each rear seat can slide back and forth by 150mm to give more cabin or boot space as required. With the seats in the rearmost position, boot space is a decent 580 litres, while this grows to a genuinely impressive 720 litres with the seats set forward.

If you opt for the plug-in hybrid, though, you will be forced to sacrifice some of this carrying capacity. With rear seats in place, you’ll have 460 litres at your disposal, increasing to 1,510 litres with the back row folded. Both of these are noticeable reductions compared to the rest of the lineup.

The three rear seats aren’t the easiest to fold down, but if you do, you’ll get a good flat floor and a maximum capacity of 1,630 litres. The tailgate opens high and wide and operates on our top-spec car by wiggling your feet under the rear bumper.

Towing

Depending on which powertrain you choose, the Aircross’s maximum towing weights range from 1,250kg to 1,350kg for a braked trailer. 

Owners voted the Citroen C5 Aircross as the ninth-best car to own in our 2024 Driver Power survey. This put it well ahead of several rivals, including Kia Sportage, Skoda Karoq, Suzuki Vitara and Vauxhall Grandland. Citroen performed well as a brand, too, ranking fifth out of 32 brands in our best manufacturer rankings.

Euro NCAP tested the C5 Aircross in 2019 and awarded the SUV a four-star rating, although this is upgraded to five stars if customers spec an optional safety pack. Adult and child occupant safety achieved 87 per cent and 86 per cent, respectively, but pedestrian safety only managed a 58 per cent score.

The C5 Aircross comes with a host of driver aids as standard, including Highway Driver Assist, which allows the car to follow the car in front on a motorway, including bringing it to a stop automatically in traffic. Also available is an extended traffic sign recognition system, ensuring you never miss a warning or speed limit sign, as these are shown in the driver display. 

Warranty

Citroen provides a two-year, unlimited-mileage warranty, and you get an additional year’s cover provided by the dealer, albeit limited to 60,000 miles. It’s par for the course, but soundly beaten by warranty offers from the likes of Kia, MG and Toyota.

Servicing

Buyers can take advantage of Citroen's Service Plan programme, which allows you to spread the cost of your servicing via monthly payments.

What do owners think?

Here’s what owners of the Citroen C5 Aircross thought of the car in the 2024 Driver Power survey.

Citroen C5 Aircross long-term test

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Our senior photographer, Pete Gibson, spent six months with the Citroen C5 Aircross as part of our long-term fleet. After covering thousands of miles travelling from shoot to shoot, Pete found this family SUV as comfortable as a Citroen should be. Pete was highly impressed by the overall value for money, too, although he couldn’t help but feel that the exterior styling was a bit divisive at best. You can read the full long-term test here…