TRIED & TESTED
Citroën C5 X PHEV
It’s been a while since we’ve had a big car from the French marque that isn’t an SUV, but now the time has come for a renaissance. By John Challen
TRIED & TESTED
Citroën C5 X PHEV
It’s been a while since we’ve had a big car from the French marque that isn’t an SUV, but now the time has come for a renaissance. By John Challen
In a world increasingly dominated by SUVs and crossovers, the sight of something leftfield is not only welcomed, it is to be applauded.
Citroën, no stranger to segment-busting and/or innovative cars (see: C6, XM and CX) has taken the plunge with C5 X – a D-segment contender that blurs the lines between current conventional models already on the market with something slightly different.
It’s been a challenging time in the fleet market for Citroën. The company’s MD, Eurig Druce, admitted at the launch of the C5 X that the company had had to focus on residual values, which, in 2020 “were some of the worst in the market”.
Through adopting a new strategy – including less reliance on rental sales and short-term business – it’s turned things around, with RVs going up 17.3 percentage points between January 2021 and 2022.
What that means is Citroën can dare to be different and create cars that people will notice and want to find out what they are and, in some cases, why they exist.
Officially, according to the French OEM, “C5 X cleverly combines the modernity and status of an SUV, the elegance and appeal of a saloon and the versatility and practicality of an estate”. In other words, it’s mixing things up and testing the water to see who might be up for a variation of the norm.
The C5 X offers an aerodynamic (0.29Cd) design, the practicality of a 485-litre boot space and 19-inch tyres that are designed for comfort and economy. Step into the ground-breaking model and it’s very spacious with a hint of luxury. There is plenty of light in the cabin; Citroën says this helps with driver wellbeing – an important consideration these days. Meanwhile, ambient lighting plus high-quality and soft-to-touch materials complete a very positive overall impression.
The seats get an extra 15mm of memory foam padding for extra comfort, especially on long journeys. Comfort in the form of refinement is also seen in an “acoustically insulated windscreen”, which is standard across the range and reduces road noise in the cabin.
C5 X drivers get either a 10-inch or 12-inch central infotainment screen, depending on spec, as well as a 7-inch display directly in front of the driver. There are no physical buttons to drive the system, but the touchscreen is responsive and the menus are well laid out. Steering-wheel mounted buttons – and voice control – offer other options to navigate the menus. Completing the infotainment visuals is Citroën’s latest head-up display, which highlights essential information in a clear and concise projection.
Safety systems onboard include Highway Driver Assist, blind spot recognition, high beam assist and a 360° camera, a first on a Citroën model. Another first on the PHEV is Citroën’s ‘Advanced Comfort Active Suspension’, which improves comfort while driving on uneven roads.
There are petrol and diesel models available, but the PHEV is most likely to appeal to business drivers, not least because of its 12% BiK figure and 30g/km emissions rating. The plug-in version of the C5 X features a 1.6-litre petrol engine, mated to an 110hp electric motor, creating a combined power of 225hp and 360Nm of torque. Fuel economy has been figured at between 186.2 and 236.2mpg in hybrid mode, but that will vary wildly depending on how diligent drivers are at charging the car.
Talking of charging, the C5 X PHEV’s 12.4kWh lithium-ion battery can be replenished in two hours. The big Citroën is good for up to 37 miles on pure electric power, says the company. There is also the option of a free six-month subscription to BP Pulse when taking delivery of a C5 X.
Which model is right for you?
Three C5 X grades are available from launch: Sense Plus, Shine and Shine Plus. The Sense Plus comes with 19-inch ‘Aero-X’ alloy wheels and LED headlights on the outside. The base interior offers ‘part leather-effect’ seats, rear parking sensors and a 10-inch central touchscreen.
Move onto Shine models and drivers benefit from proper leather seats, heated steering wheel and a 12-inch infotainment screen. Other standard bits of kit include an extended head-up display and wireless smartphone charging.
Finally, the top-of-the-range Shine Plus driver get heated and electrically operated front seats, thicker windows and motorised tailgate. Safety-wise, this version comes with blindspot detection and a 360° reversing camera.
Sense Plus
Shine
Shine Plus
EXPERIENCE
Citroën C5 X
VERDICT
Citroën is a brand that has always dared to be different, and it seems that in 2022, that approach still rings true. The look of the C5 X might divide opinion, but fair play to the manufacturer for offering something different to the plethora of SUVs on the market.
Comfort levels are impressive, and the refinement is another highlight. Dynamically, C5 X might leave drivers a bit disappointing, but that’s a trade-off for the decent ride quality. The well-equipped interior is sure to win over a lot of fans.
