Citroen describes the latest C5 Aircross as the most spacious, comfortable and high‑tech SUV it has ever built.
In a crowded mid‑size SUV class where many rivals chase sportiness and premium polish, the C5 Aircross goes the other way. It majors on comfort, ease of use and value, making it a very sensible choice for families who care more about relaxed refinement than razor‑sharp handling.
The Hybrid 145 tested here sits at the heart of the range. It pairs a 1.2‑litre three‑cylinder turbo petrol engine with a mild‑hybrid system and a six‑speed dual‑clutch automatic gearbox sending power to the front wheels.
With an official 0-62mph sprint of 11.2sec, it certainly isn’t a powerhouse, but the electric assistance helps the engine feel stronger than the modest capacity suggests. There’s enough shove to deal with everyday driving – pulling away from junctions, overtaking slower traffic and joining motorway flows – without ever feeling strained.
The steering is very light and largely devoid of feel, so you don’t get much sense of what the front tyres are doing, and keen drivers will find that disconnect frustrating. Yet for the target audience, the pay‑off is obvious: town‑centre manoeuvres, tight car parks and narrow terraces all become low‑effort.
Where the C5 Aircross really earns its keep is in ride comfort. Citroen’s Advanced Comfort suspension, using clever hydraulic bump stops to soften big impacts, gives the car a distinctly plush, cushioned gait. Potholes and broken edges are rounded off rather than punched through, and passengers feel the benefit immediately. On smoother surfaces the car simply glides, and even on scarred B‑roads the worst lumps are smothered before they reach the cabin.
The trade‑off is a slightly floaty feel over longer undulations. On rolling A‑roads and across hilly countryside you can feel the body gently bobbing, particularly at higher speeds, but it never tips over into queasiness. Body roll in corners is present but controlled, and the overall balance remains secure and predictable. This is a car you guide rather than attack a road in – one that rewards a relaxed driving style far more than a late‑braking, apex‑clipping approach.
Inside, Citroen’s claim about space and comfort rings true. The front seats are sofa‑like, generously padded and properly supportive over distance. Crucially, there is an impressive amount of adjustment: even six footer will find acres of legroom, a sensible driving position and no battle with headroom or door pillars.
Rear passengers are well catered for too. There’s plenty of legroom and shoulder space, the backrests recline, and the armrests echo those up front, giving the second row a lounge‑like quality.
All versions of the C5 Aircross get a 565-litre boot, which is bigger than the vast majority of rivals.
The adjustable floor can be set up for a flat load bay or maximum capacity. It’s a genuinely family‑friendly layout, capable of swallowing pushchairs, sports kit and weekly shops without drama.
Citroen has also made strides on technology and usability. The tall central touchscreen is divided into big, clearly marked tiles, so key functions are easy to hit at a glance. Climate controls have a permanent presence on‑screen, backed up by physical buttons for the most commonly used functions, which will come as a relief to anyone tired of digging into sub‑menus just to demist the windscreen.
Smartphone integration is strong, with wireless charging and standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the sheer number of storage cubbies and charging points speaks to daily, real‑world use.
The C5 Aircross line‑up includes this Hybrid 145, a plug‑in hybrid and a fully electric versions. But whichever flavour you choose, the fundamentals remain the same: space, comfort and straightforward usability.
At this price point, the C5 Aircross might not have the most expensive materials or sharpest driving dynamics, but it offers genuine, everyday ease that will appeal to families.
Citroen C5 Aircross PLUS Hybrid 145
PRICE: £33,150
POWERTRAIN: 1.2-litre 3cyl turbo plus 28bhp e-motor
POWER/TORQUE: 143bhp/280Nm
TRANSMISSION: Six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, front-wheel drive
0-62MPH: 11.2 seconds
ECONOMY: 42.0-43.6mpg/122-126g/km
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