The Citroen C5 Aircross is unusual in the SUV market, in that Citroen hasn’t focused too much on the ‘Sport’ aspect of Sport Utility Vehicle. In fact, the French carmaker has pitched the C5 Aircross, and many of its other models, towards comfort instead, and while this may not satisfy those with racing driver ambitions, it’s probably a more sensible choice for something aimed at families.
It also happens to be quite good value new, and that means you also get a lot of car for the money on the used market. The C5 Aircross has funky, chunky styling inside and out but can still feel quite upmarket depending on the trim level. It’s spacious, comfortable, practical (with a sliding rear seat bench and large boot), and has a good selection of engines.
The market is awash with cars aimed at a similar market to the C5 Aircross. You’ll probably be familiar with the Nissan Qashqai, as one of Britain’s best-sellers, but other alternatives include the Citroen’s sister model, the Peugeot 3008, as well as the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson pairing, and the similar Volkswagen T-Roc, Skoda Karoq, and SEAT Ateca.
The Citroen C5 Aircross first hit the market in 2017, replacing Citroen’s C4 Spacetourer MPV, and joined the growing trend of SUV-styled models pioneered by cars like the Nissan Qashqai.
You’ll already have a pretty good idea whether you want a C5 Aircross just from looking at it. It’s one of the most distinctively-styled cars in its class, and arguably even more so since the most recent facelift in early 2022. It’s chunky inside and out, and enlivened on some models by contrasting colour details that brighten up even the duller white and grey paintwork options.
Where Citroen really separates its car from others on the market though is comfort. It isn’t that some rivals are uncomfortable, but Citroen has deliberately avoided making something ‘sporty’ in favour of prioritising ride comfort and softer seats - so it uses technology like ‘Progressive Hydraulic Cushions’ in the suspension to smooth out rougher surfaces, and ‘Advanced Comfort’ seats with more padding than you’ll find in most alternatives. Best of all, it actually works - the C5 Aircross really is a comfortable car.
The trade-off is handling that isn’t as sharp as some rivals, but if you aren’t bothered about being the quickest car around corners, that’s of no concern. What you do get is a raised seating position, a spacious and refined cabin (it’s not just comfortable, but quiet too), and a useful variety of engines, as Citroen has offered both petrol and diesel models, as well as a plug-in hybrid - and all are pretty good in terms of both performance and economy.
Assuming all this hasn’t taken your fancy but you still like the idea of the C5 Aircross’s size and shape, then you’re in luck because there are plenty of alternatives. Top of most buyers’ lists - literally, as one of the best-selling cars in the country - is the Nissan Qashqai, which is less interesting to look at than the Citroen but possibly even more sensible. The Peugeot 3008, using the same basic engines and underpinnings as the Citroen, is also worth a look, while other rivals include everything from the Skoda Karoq, to premium-badged models like the BMW X1.
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You’re spoiled for choice with Citroen C5 Aircross engines, and the good news is there’s no real wrong decision when it comes to choosing between them. For lower-mileage buyers, the Puretech petrol models are more than up to the task while the BlueHDi diesels suit those who are likely to cover longer distances more regularly. The 130PS model is punchy and relaxing but there was also a BlueHDi 180, no longer on sale new, for those who want even more power. City-based drivers meanwhile may be swayed by the Plug-in Hybrid, with its quoted EV range of 38 miles.
In terms of trim levels, all models are fairly well-equipped, and of the most recent range, the Plus should suit most buyers. There is something quite appealing about the high-end trims though (variously known as Flair Plus, Black Edition, C-Series Edition, and most recently, e-series).
The trim levels below represent the range as it has been since the C5 Aircross’s facelift in 2022, with a three-tier lineup that adds progressively more equipment from one model to the next. Unlike most rivals though, Citroen’s focus on comfort means there’s no “sport” variant - just more luxury and features as you step up through the range.
The Citroen C5 Aircross’s dimensions are:
The Citroen C5 Aircross’s boot size is:
As the C5 Aircross debuted in 2017, all models are subject to a flat rate of VED or ‘road tax’, which currently stands at £180 per year for petrol and diesel cars, and £170 per year for ‘alternative fuel’ vehicles, which in this case includes the Plug-in Hybrid 180. Relatively low pricing means no C5 Aircross should attract the surcharge for vehicles that cost more than £40,000 new.
The lowest insurance group for current C5 Aircross models is for a Puretech 130 petrol in Plus trim, which starts in group 18 (in the 1-50 group system). At the top of the range, the plug-in hybrids start in group 28. This is less than a premium model like a BMW X1, but a little more than the insurance groups for a Mazda CX-5.
Read our full Citroen C5 Aircross review
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