Citroen C5

This car has got to be one of the most value for money luxury cars out in the market.

The gadgets packed inside the C5 are useful and smart, a good sized luxury car with quality interior feel.

Driven the car for less than a year so will not be able to highlight any reliability issues for now.

Car accelerates quickly on demand. Hydractive suspension really helps reduce the bumpiness to deliver a comforatble drive.

Fuel consumption is about 10.5km/L rather than the reported 14km/L.

Just to say one word wonderful. Due to the current COE prices on hike i will say the best in class of continental car.

The Hydractive III is a joy on rough roads. Slightly firmer in 'comfort' mode (you can adjust it at the touch of a button), the C5 manages to feel more natural than the waftacious C6 and really does ride better than anything else in class. It's a Very cool car indeed no doubt about it compared to the VW Passat. Citroen has made a considerable leap in quality to create a genuinely appealing interior. There's a taller, more solid dash, and the feel is generally more conventional (ie, Germanic). This car instantly feels well-made, solid and silent. The only downside is that much of it was raided from Citroen's parts bin and feels ordinary. The stalks look as if they've come direct from the humble and cheaper Berlingo. The C5 is offered with two suspension systems - either the adjustable Hydractive 3+ hydropneumatic set-up or traditional steel springs that Citroen says give a 'more direct road feel'. Stick it in 'Sport' and have a cheerful old time with the generous available grip, although you'll be disappointed by the slightly dulled steering which cuts out almost any road feedback from the wheels. The trade-off, when you stick the car in 'Comfort' and stop being silly, is a Lexus-like ride quality. It's not the magic carpet that some people seem to think - a little agitation from small bumps makes it through - but you'll still be impressed. A big boot and plenty of room for five, this is a decent large saloon - the parking-space measuring widget sounds like a gimmick, but works well and is surprisingly useful. It stops you trying to get into too tight a spot.

went down to test drive the C5 exclusive (with the hydractive).

it was a disappointing drive:

not as refined as I've read abt it in the magazines,

not a smooth ride (despite the hydractive), my in-laws complained that they felt like they were on a roller coaster at the back.

turbo engine seems to be struggling to carry the weight of the car,

upward gear changes are not that smooth... feels like hunting for the right gear... or holding onto the gear for too long.

overall, the car didn't leave a good impression on me.

I don't know... perhaps my expectations were too high...