Review - Citroen C5 Aircross

Hitting Australian shores recently, the C5 Aircross adds a breath of fresh air to the somewhat homogenised midsize SUV segment, with its charming looks, unique interior layout and comfortable driving package.

Just how good is the Citroen C5 Aircross, then, how does it hold up on Australian roads and how well-suited is the package to growing Australian families? Let’s find out.

Citroen C5 Aircross Competition

Starting Price: $54,990

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How Much Does It Cost?

The Citroen C5 Aircross is priced at $54,990 here in Australia, before you factor in on-road costs.

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Using OnlineAuto’s car buying service, our car sourcing specialists can help you find the best value model for you.

Citroen C5 Aircross (SPORT 1.6 THP 133) Specifications

For more details and other variants, check Citroen C5 Aircross car page.

What Features Does the Citroen C5 Aircross Have?

The Citroen C5 Aircross comes riding on 19-inch alloy wheels, and receives LED head & tail lights, a black roof with roof rails, adaptive cruise control, a comfort suspension system, Nappa leather upholstery with heated and massaging front seats, a panoramic sunroof, a wireless phone charger, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.0-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto.

Range Features:

• 19-inch alloys

• LED head & tail lights, LED daytime running lamps and indicators

• Black roof with roof rails

• Adaptive cruise control

• Comfort suspension system

• Nappa leather upholstery

• Heated & massaging front seats

• Panoramic sunroof

• Wireless smartphone charger

• 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster

• 10-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto

Is the Citroen C5 Aircross Comfortable to Drive?

If there’s one thing family buyers want from their midsize SUV package, it’s a user-friendly and comfortable package that is easy to zip around town and wind up or down the coast on a holiday road trip.

In almost every respect, Citroen has stepped up to the mark with the latest C5 Aircross, which is easy to drive and remarkably smooth on the road, even on some of Australia’s rougher B-roads.

Power for the C5 Aircross comes supplied by a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 133kW of power and 250Nm of torque that is channelled to the front wheels via an eight-speed transmission.

While there isn’t a bucket-load of power, the C5 Aircross’ acceleration off the line is more than respectable enough to keep up with its main rivals, though this is a midsize SUV that emphasises ride comfort over pretty much anything else.

“Thanks to a wonderful suspension system, the C5 Aircross glides over bumps and feels simply lovely on the road.” Arnaud - OnlineAuto Car Buying Specialist

This is made possible by Citroen’s comfort suspension system that, in short, uses hydraulic cushions that take the edge off sudden bumps and irregularities and helps the C5 Aircross glide across the road.

This comfortable DNA has carried over into the daily driving experience, where the C5 Aircross remains very approachable for new drivers thanks to the light steering, modest power delivery and forgiving suspension.

This makes it a great option for short hops around town, where it zips through car parks with ease and is easy to park, while remaining stable and planted at highway speeds, making it a versatile daily driver and holiday road-tripper alike.

Is it Fuel Efficient?

Citroen’s 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder is rated at 5.7L per 100km, which makes the C5 Aircross impressively fuel efficient for a midsize SUV without any electrical assistance.

Is it Practical and Spacious?

Citroen has gone above and beyond when it comes to making the front of the C5 Aircross’ cabin luxurious and spacious, though its potential as a fully-fledged midsize SUV is somewhat hindered by the cramped second row.

Stepping inside the cabin greets the driver and front passenger with a set of quilted Nappa leather seats, with the added bonus of a massaging function for sore backs on longer journeys.

Visibility up front is excellent thanks to the tall roofline, while a pair of digital displays headline the top of the dashboard and in front of the driver, making for a tech-savvy cabin.

Storage options in the front of the C5’s cabin include a small charging pad for smartphones, flanked by a deeper storage tray in the centre console, a pair of cupholders and added storage in the door pockets and inside the split-folding armrest.

“Visibility and space up front are excellent, though the same can’t be said about things in the somewhat cramped second row.” Dan - OnlineAuto Car Buying Specialist

Move to the second row of the cabin and things begin to go slightly downhill.

While the Citroen C5 Aircross’ rear seats receive a clever sliding and reclining design, the amount of leg and headroom on offer leaves a lot to be desired, especially when put side-by-side with some of its major midsize SUV rivals.

Headroom isn’t a major issue, even with the large sunroof in place, though the lack of decent legroom means the second row is more suited to younger kids and teenagers rather than accommodating any adults.

The second row receives a pair of ISOFIX anchors and top tether mounts to accommodate forward- and rear-facing child seats.

Finally, the C5 Aircross compensates for its lacklustre second row with some large boot space figures, which measures in at 580L, expanding to 1630L with the second row out of the way.

Is it Safe?

The previous generation C5 Aircross received a four-star ANCAP safety rating from testing back in 2019.

It received a score of 87% for adult protection, 88% for child protection, 58% for pedestrian protection and 73% for safety assist.

Standard safety equipment lists for the C5 Aircross include autonomous emergency braking, highway driving assist with emergency brake assist, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, road edge detection and a lane-departure alert system.

Our Verdict: Is The Citroen C5 Aircross Worth it?

For those looking for a unique and immensely comfortable midsize SUV, the Citroen C5 Aircross is an impressive package that behaves wonderfully, even on rougher roads here in Australia.

Keep in mind that it’s not the most practical option in the segment, so if second-row space and comfort is a key concern, it’s somewhat outpaced by a number of its rivals in the midsize SUV marketplace.

If you’re tossing up your best midsize SUV options, be sure to reach out to one of our car buying specialists who can give you some of their favourites, and help you find a great price.

Five Citroen C5 Aircross Specs You Need to Know

1. Five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty

2. Four-star ANCAP safety rating

3. 12-month/20,000km service intervals

4. 5.7L per 100km combined cycle fuel economy

5. 580L boot space