Skip advert
Advertisement

Citroen DS5

Does the bold new family car deliver on the promise of its looks?

Overall Auto Express rating

3.0

How we review cars
Find your Citroen DS5
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

The Citroen DS5 is one of the most flamboyantly styled cars on the road. With a diesel engine and manual gearbox – the best combination in the range – this is an interesting alternative to the mainstream. But would we buy one when we could have an Audi A4 or BMW 3 Series, albeit not quite so well equipped, for a similar amount? Not a chance.

Advertisement - Article continues below

It’s not very often a new car comes along that makes you shout out ‘wow’. But the Citroen DS5 isn’t like anything else on the road. It looks more like a one-off motor show concept than something you can buy.

The interior is even more dazzling than the exterior, plus it feels great – definitely Citroen’s best quality yet. Everything you touch oozes class: the dash is made from a material so soft that a passenger airbag probably isn’t necessary; the watch-strap-style ‘Club’ optional leather seats resemble those in a Ferrari and the solid metal door handles are like pieces of modern art.

Video: Watch CarBuyer's video review of the DS5

[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"content_narrow","fid":"68829","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image"}}]]

The DS5 is cool – so cool that you want to fall in love with it. But will it break your heart? We found the Hybrid4 version flawed when we drove it in December 2011. Fortunately the diesel is much better. It’s quiet, smooth and, thanks to a nice spread of thrust, delivers strong performance. Economy and emissions impress, too.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

Golf

2024 Volkswagen

Golf

84,859 milesManualPetrol1.5L

Cash £12,200
View Golf
Juke

2023 Nissan

Juke

9,913 milesAutomaticPetrol1.6L

Cash £19,400
View Juke
Arona

2020 SEAT

Arona

39,173 milesAutomaticDiesel1.6L

Cash £12,600
View Arona
Q3

2023 Audi

Q3

72,003 milesAutomaticPetrol1.4L

Cash £20,500
View Q3

It’s just a shame that the slick six-speed gearbox is the only part of the DS5 experience which will please keen drivers. The steering is so vague it feels as though the wheel is connected to the rack by a slinky spring, while the wallowy handing is no match for a Ford Mondeo, let alone cars like the BMW 3 Series, which the high price puts the DS5 in direct competition with.

Obviously, this being a Citroen, the trade-off is a ride as smooth as melted chocolate, right? Sadly not. Even though the car feels softly sprung, the suspension crashes over bumps.

If you spend most of your time on the motorway, none of this will be an issue. However, in the cold light of a daily commute, the novelty of the DS5 soon wears off – and what you thought was love turns out to be lust.

There is a reason road cars don’t look like concepts: the design on the outside demands compromises inside. And you’ll soon become irritated by the Citroen’s limited rear headroom, split back window, awkward button layouts, tiny glovebox and useless cup-holders.

When you drive something with less ‘wow’ factor – like a Volkswagen CC – you realise something the Germans have known for ages: boring works.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Vauxhall Corsa

Vauxhall Corsa

RRP £19,690Avg. savings £4,685 off RRP*Used from £16,811
Skoda Kodiaq

Skoda Kodiaq

RRP £38,140Avg. savings £3,019 off RRP*Used from £11,995
Nissan Juke

Nissan Juke

RRP £19,785Avg. savings £4,614 off RRP*Used from £9,584
Omoda 5

Omoda 5

RRP £23,990Avg. savings £2,192 off RRP*Used from £20,921
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New MG IM5 has the Tesla Model 3 beaten on price and range
MG IM5 - Goodwood front

New MG IM5 has the Tesla Model 3 beaten on price and range

The all-electric IM5 brings new technology and design to the MG line-up
News
10 Jul 2025
New MG Cyberster Black is a dark sign of things to come for the brand
Cyberster Black - front 3/4

New MG Cyberster Black is a dark sign of things to come for the brand

MG boss thinks special editions like this might be the ticket to keeping up demand for the electric sports car
News
10 Jul 2025
Vauxhall Mokka vs Hyundai Kona: small hybrid SUVs in a big battle
Vauxhall Mokka vs Hyundai Kona - front end

Vauxhall Mokka vs Hyundai Kona: small hybrid SUVs in a big battle

Hybrid newcomers slug it out for family buyers’ hearts and minds
Car group tests
12 Jul 2025