Citroën replicates the C4 strategy with the Citroën C5 X but in the D segment, to which it returns after precisely saying goodbye to the C5 saloon in 2017. The model is thus reborn with this crossover halfway between a sedan, family, and SUV. In short, the Citroën C5 reinvents itself within the fashion segment and becomes the brand’s new flagship.
Its mechanical range will be brief, with two gasoline options and a plug-in hybrid, also gasoline. And all versions will be equipped with an automatic gearbox and front-wheel drive. The brand expects to sell some 2,200 units per year of this new offspring, the new culmination of the range.
Orders to take over the services of the Citroën C5 X will open in September in Spain, while the first deliveries are scheduled for early 2022.
Citroën Spain confirms that at its launch it will already have all its mechanical options, including the PHEV, although to know the range of finishes and prices it is still time to wait. That is, it should be around between 30,000 and 50,000 euros.
We review the highlights of this new double chevron model after meeting it live, although we have not yet been able to drive it.
Crossover, but more family sedan than SUV
The Citroën C5 X enjoys some aspects of SUVs, such as greater ground clearance, although it is not excessively high either (they do not provide a figure at the moment).
Likewise, in terms of aesthetics, it is more stylish than robust: for example, it has the usual plastic moldings for the bottom of the wheel arches, although they are somewhat thinner than the usual ones. Also compared to other SUVs of the firm, it boasts a more elegant and sober design.
In addition, it will not have four-wheel-drive versions, nor will it have Grip Control versions: the house’s advanced traction system with specific off-road modes (sand, snow, or mud/mud/wet), in addition to the normal Standard (asphalt) and the possible turn off stability control.
Thus, this C5 X wants to be closer to being a Station Wagon-type sedan than an SUV. Therefore, they command comfort or more coupé-type lines compared to their little brother, the Citroën C5 Aircross. It also boasts of being more dynamic, although we can only confirm it when we put ourselves at its controls.
Citroen C5 X Dimensions
One of the keys with which this Citroën C5 X is presented is the interior roominess. Citroën boasts that its cabin is one of the most spacious in its category, with a generous wheelbase of 2.78 m.
| LENGTH | WIDTH | HEIGHT | BATTLE | TRUNK | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CITROEN C5 X | 4,805mm | 1,865mm | 1,485mm | 2,785mm | 545 liters / 1,640 liters |
| CITROEN C5 AIRCROSS | 4,500mm | 1,840mm | 1,654mm | 2,730mm | 580 liters / 1,630 liters |
On paper, in its rear row of seats, it enjoys a generous space: up to 18 cm from the base of the seat to the front backrests for the knees and a total width for the line of elbows of 1.43 m.
And the truth is that with the front seats regulated for people between 1.80 and 1.85, another of the same height still has a clearance of several centimeters and without their knees reaching the front backrests.
In addition, both rows are equipped with Citroën Advanced Comfort seats, distinguished by being made of high-density Nappa leather and foam that is 15 mm thicker than usual. These also enjoy an ergonomic design with an upright but comfortable posture, especially in the front seats, as we have seen when we got into the car.
However, it does not enjoy the modularity of its little brothers, such as the sliding rear bench seat of the C3 Aircross or the independently folding rear seats of the C5 Aircross (in the C5 X they fold down two by one).
Nor does it need it, because it is more generous in battle, the habitability of the rear seats is more than remarkable and its trunk is quite generous: it has 545 liters that can reach 1,640 liters with the rear seatbacks folded down.
In the plug-in hybrid versions of the Citroën C5 X, the trunk loses 60 liters compared to the thermal options since the battery is located in the rear area: it covers 485 liters in its case.
And to this is added that it has up to 29 additional liters distributed throughout the passenger compartment in up to 13 storage compartments, such as the chest of the central tunnel (which opens with two tabs), the hole under the console (where the loading platform is located wireless for mobile phones), the two huge cup holders or the pockets on the doors, among others.
The feeling of open space also contributes to the fact that it lacks a gear lever, replaced by mere buttons with the usual positions P, R, N, and D, in addition to the sequential B that is managed by the paddles on the steering wheel.
And the icing on the cake for it to boast of being a good companion on long trips is put by the Advanced Comfort suspension, which according to Citroën enjoys the “flying carpet” effect, absorbing the irregularities of the asphalt so that the occupants feel as if they were floating on it.
In addition, in the case of the plug-in hybrid, it is equipped with the active version of this suspension, which has progressive hydraulic shock absorbers that can be adjusted in three positions: Comfort, Normal, and Sport. However, this technology is appreciated on the go, so we can check it again when we get behind the wheel.
Citroen C5 X Engine
This Citroën C5 X will have gasoline thermal options, although the jewel in the crown is its plug-in hybrid variant, which is also the most powerful. It combines a 180 hp 1.6 PureTech engine with an 81 kW (110 hp) electric motor, to sign a joint power of 225 hp and a maximum torque of 360 Nm.
This hybrid mechanics is managed by the ë-EAT8 automatic gearbox, with eight relationships, and the electric drive takes energy from a lithium-ion battery with a 12.4 kWh capacity.
Although the figures are still pending homologation, Citroën assures that its electric autonomy will exceed 50 km, so in principle, it will have a ZERO label, and its emissions will be around 32 g/km of CO₂.
The range is completed with the C5 X petrol: the access one mounts a 1.2 PureTech with 130 CV and the intermediate one a 1.6 PureTech with 180 CV. Both engines will only be offered with the EAT8 automatic gearbox, also eight-speed.
And so far its range, since mechanics of lesser delivery are not foreseen nor manual boxes. Likewise, it will not have a 100% electric variant, since it is designed on the PSA EMP2 modular platform, now Stellantis, which does not allow it to host pure zero-emissions like the most modern CMP.
Premiering the latest Citroën technology
Beyond its habitability and technical benefits, the Citroën C5 X will be equipped with a wide range of technologies focused on comfort or connectivity and launches some advanced systems.
For example, it becomes the first Citroën model to equip the Extended Head-Up Display. This technology projects a 21-inch “virtual screen” onto the windshield, which also displays information in color and with a 3D effect.
Among the set of information that can be displayed simultaneously are the assistance systems, the maximum speed of the road, or the navigation instructions.
In addition, this crossover also debuts the My Citroën Drive Plus multimedia system, which is embodied in a generous 12-inch HD touch display and horizontal arrangement in combination with digital instrumentation, hosted on a smaller screen.
This infotainment system has real-time updates when connected to the cloud, as well as a wireless connection for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Of the tablet type, the screen offers a view through widgets, which can be configured, and Citroën ensures that it is very easy to handle and intuitive, to which it adds that it is equipped with a virtual assistant capable of understanding natural language commands. The My Citroën Drive Plus is accompanied by four USB-C sockets and is also equipped with wireless charging for mobile devices.
However, despite equipping this advanced digital system, the Citroën C5 X does not give up physical controls as other new models of the brand do, for example, the updated Citroën C3 Aircross.
And is that while the air conditioning in this model is managed from the display, this is not the case with the C5 X, which does it from the usual roulette wheels and buttons. Good news because it does not require getting lost in a sea of menus to adjust the interior temperature of the car.
There is also no lack of assistive technology, offering the most advanced systems that Citroën has, and that allows this C5 X to enjoy level 2 semi-autonomous driving.
For example, it offers the Drive Assist pack, which is equipped with the Highway Driver Assist system. This combines the adaptive speed control with stop & go function with other technologies such as the lane-keeping assistant, the long-distance blind spot control, the active alert for cross traffic, or the 360 camera, which facilitates maneuvers by showing on the display media environment.
And among the benefits that the Citroën C5 X enjoys, we also find the Proximity hands-free startup, which automatically opens and closes the doors when the driver approaches the vehicle or moves away from it, as well as a panoramic roof, hands-free opening or heated seats, among others.
