Citroen C5 Aircross 1.2 PureTech EAT8 Feel (A) Facelift Review

If it is spacious and comfortable motoring you're after, this Citroen C5 could be just the steal you've been looking for.

You see back when we first reviewed the Citroen C5 in July 2019, it came with an asking price $126,999. At that time, the car was equipped with a 1.6-litre engine, and COE prices for Cat B hovered around the $30k mark.

Fast forward back to the present, and the Citroen C5 now comes with a 1.2-litre engine, for which Cat A COE prices are now at the $60k mark. But in spite of this surge in COE prices (which admittedly, is also countered by the current car's more favourable VES banding) the cost to drive one example out from the showroom still stands at just $124,999.

That's quite the attractive deal, isn't it?

Still stylish to look at

As you might expect, reaching this low a price means this new 1.2-litre Citroen C5 also has had to forgo quite a few of the extras that the former 1.6-litre variant had.

On the outside, you'll spot that this 1.2-litre variant lacks roof rails, and the option to choose the colour of those squircle accents at the front and sides of the lower section of the car is now gone.

Elsewhere, the car has also lost the electronic controls for the driver's seat, its motorised tailgate, and the blindspot monitoring system. A simple storage cubby also now takes the place of a wireless smartphone charger.

They are not all significant loses however. To start, you really won't be thinking about the car's new look that much. It may have lost some of its distinctiveness without the contrasting colour pieces on the outside, but will still impress with how the squircle theme on the outside has been tastefully carried into the cabin, appearing as indents on the door cards and inspiring the design of the instrument cluster.

Still spacious to sit in

Step in and you'll also note the tall and comfortable seating position, aiding visibility and countering the loss of the blindspot monitor, and there's a USB port and 12V socket available, so just bring along a charging cable and your devices will be sorted.

The strut-supported tailgate, however, is not as successful, requiring some strength to close. But even here, the Citroen C5 counters by offering a generous 580-litre boot, which can be further expanded to 670 litres thanks to rear seats that slide fore and aft individually. Folding them all down will expand cargo space to a maximum of 1,630 litres.

These three seats, I should also point out, are all similarly sized, which, coupled with a low centre tunnel, should keep family arguments about who has to sit in the centre to a minimum. Leg, knee and head room are also generous for all.

Still brilliantly comfortable to drive

And if you're still not convinced about how great a deal this C5 is, then add to your considerations the fact that it is also a pleasure to drive.

The firm's Progressive Hydraulic Cushion technology does a good job of allowing the car to glide over a wide variety of bumps on the road, although there is noticeable pitch and dive if you're not careful when coming to a stop.

And that 1.2-litre engine? We were impressed with the way it serves duty in the Citroen C5's close cousin, the Peugeot 3008 and in here, it is more of the same. It delivers on quiet operation that pairs very well with the soft setup and high cabin insulation of the Citroen C5.

A generous 230Nm of torque available from just 1,750rpm also means the SUV is far from lethargic on the road, while the eight-speed automatic shifts cleanly and smoothly to further build on that sensation of effortless progress.

We averaged a consumption of 10.6km/L over the course of three days with the car, far from the official 20km/L figure yet respectable considering the C5's 1,423kg weight.

If you're out on the hunt for a deal on a comfortable SUV, this could be your chance right here. The C5 is all that a sensible family buyer could want, now with none of the frivolities that carry along a premium price.
 
 
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The Hyundai Kona Hybrid is an eye-catching crossover

The MG HS ticks all the right boxes as a compact SUV

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