Citroen returns to its quirky roots in the luxury segment with the unusual C5 X. Jonathan Crouch drives it.

Ten Second Review

If Citroen is to return to its traditionalist roots, it needs a big, plush comfort-orientated quirky flagship model. Which is exactly what we've got with this car, the unusual but potentially rather pleasing C5 X. It's an unusual confection, but the right kind of customer might rather like it.

Background

It's been a long time since we've had a credible large Citroen. Come to think of it, it's been a long time since we've been offered any kind of large Citroen at all, the last one being the quirky C6 and before that the XM, the successor to the CX models of the '70s and '80s. Yet here we are telling you about the C5 X, offered in a single body style delivering that unusual combination of SUV, estate and luxury saloon. Yes, the same kind of combination characterised by the notably unsuccessful BMW 3, 5 and 6 series Gran Turismo models. On a car sharing a badge with a Mondeo sector model (the C5) deleted a few years back for slow sales. From a brand with no history of success against the German premium makers who dominate the luxury car segment. You've got to cheer for the underdog haven't you? And we rather like this one, a car with an 'X' suffix referencing its market position positioning 'at the crossroads of customers' needs', according to Citroen.

Driving Experience

So many family cars these days seem, to a greater or lesser degree, seem to feel the need to be 'sporty'. The C5 X doesn't, prioritising ride over handling, refinement over driving involvement. If those are your priorities too, you might well like it very much - in either of the two forms Citroen's offering in our market. We tried the conventional variant, which uses a 130hp version of the Stellantis Group's usual 1.2-litre three cylinder PureTech petrol engine, mated to 8-speed EAT8 auto transmission. In this guise, the car gets the passive version of Citroen's clever 'Progressive Hydraulic Cushion' suspension system, which sees hydraulic dampers replace the usual rubber bumps stops that the suspension coil would usually crash against at the top and bottom of wheel travel. As a result, over poorer surfaces, though you still know the bumps are there, you just don't feel them to the extent you'd expect to. The C5 X alternative is a 225hp 1.6-litre petrol Plug-in Hybrid powertrain in a model which compensates for its extra 304kgs of weight by the extra fitment of that suspension system in more advanced 'Active' form. With that, a system of sensors scan and evaluate the condition of the road surface as you drive, preparing the springs for bumps and undulations before you reach them. Which is just enough to make this Citroen a rather lovely thing to travel in. The PHEV model offers a potential 39 mile EAER-rated EV driving range from its 12.4kWh battery. And you can drive at speeds of up to 84mph in the car's 'Electric' drive mode. At which point it's pretty quiet - but then all C5 Xs are, aided by acoustic windscreen glazing, which extends out to the front side windows in the top-spec model.

Design and Build

Well it looks a bit different doesn't it? Depending on your perspective and what angle you view it from, this is either a Crossover, a big estate or a luxury large hatch. The looks and the interior are inspired by the CXexperience concept car of 2016, but all the engineering underneath is based on the usual Stellantis Group EMP2 chassis underpinnings. So, a Peugeot 508 in a more unusual set of clothes? Well you won't think so once you take a seat inside because it feels very different, The seating position is surprisingly commanding, set 10cms higher than it would be in a conventional D-segment saloon or estate. Whether it's all truly 'Citroen-esque' is another question. The plump 'Advanced Comfort' seats, the unusual three-spoke wheel and the 7-inch binnacle display's digital speedo graphics certainly try to be. But ultimately, there are just too many shared Stellantis Group parts - primarily the centre screen (either 10 or 12-inch) and much of the switchgear - to make this spacious-feeling cabin a true quality match for premium brand models. It's not without appeal though: the smart light wood-style central trimming strip that widens into the doors, the pleasing soft-touch textures of the dash top and the grey-chevron-stitched faux-leather door panels all please. Perhaps the biggest difference with a C5 X though lies with the space you get further back, thanks to the lengthy 2,785mm wheelbase. There's an enormous amount of rear seat room, with the airy feel enhanced by rear quarterlights and large windows. And you get a capacious 545-litre boot, extendable to 1,640-litres with the seats folded. Boot space falls to 485-litres and 1,580-litres for the PHEV variant.

Market and Model

There's a simple range on offer here and we'll give you the pricing for it that applied at the time of our test in Autumn 2023. You choose either the conventional PureTech 130 petrol engine we tried, priced from just under £29,000. Or the petrol Plug-in Hybrid 225 variant, which costs from around £38,000. Either way, you have to have an EAT8 auto gearbox and there's the choice of three trim levels - 'You!', 'Plus' or 'Max'. As for powerplants, well Citroen has resisted the temptation to bring in a diesel, it's 1.6-petrol conventional petrol engine or the PHEV powertrain in a more affordable 180hp guise. Across the range, you get a lot of equipment included - Citroën's most advanced infotainment interface yet for instance, which has a particular focus on connectivity. Avoid base trim and you get a 12-inch high-definition touchscreen, four USB sockets and wireless smartphone charging. Plus this display can also be updated in real time via the Cloud and can Mirror Screen smartphone displays without the need to plug them in. The design of its interface has been heavily influenced by the latest tablet technology, which means the settings, display preferences and widgets on the home screen can all be quickly and easily customised. This system also has a natural, efficient and easy-to-use voice recognition system, a digital personal assistant that understands what is said to it, answers questions and carries out commands. The C5 X is also at the cutting edge of technology in the field of driving assistance systems, thanks to its use of various advanced devices installed all around the vehicle, including radar and numerous cameras and sensors. With its 'Highway Driver Assist' system, this Citroen offers advanced semi-autonomous level 2 driving. By combining 'Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go' and 'Lane Keeping Assist', the driver no longer needs to manage speed or trajectory as the vehicle takes care of all these functions. Other features that make driving easier and stress-free include long range 'Blind Spot Detection' and 'Rear Cross Traffic Alert', which detects a danger when reversing. Top 'Shine Plus' models benefit from Citroen's upgraded 'Highway Integrated Assist Plus' system, which includes 'Semi-Automatic Lane Change' and 'Anticipated Intelligent Speed Assist'.

Cost of Ownership

Citroen usually specialises in extremely efficient running cost returns and this C5 X is no different in that regard. Expect the 1.2 PureTech 130 petrol unit with its EAT8 auto transmission to be able to return up to 48.6mpg on the combined cycle and up to 137g/km of CO2. For really frugal running cost returns though, you'll need the clever Plug-in Hybrid variant, which returns up to 236.2mpg on the combined cycle. This uses a 12.8kWh battery which can be fully charged in under two hours using a standard 7kW Wallbox. Once that's done, an all-electric EAER-rated driving range of up to 39 miles is possible. Even better news is the CO2 reading applied to this model, up to 27g/km, though that's still not enough to get this PHEV into the same 8% BiK taxation bracket as Citroen's C5 Aircross Hybrid; in this case, the C5 X PHEV will attract a Benefit-in-Kind rate for company car drivers of 12%. The C5 X Plug-in Hybrid models all come as standard with a 7.4kW single-phase on-board charger, a Mode 3 charging cable with a Type 2 connector, as well as remote temperature pre-conditioning. Whatever your choice of C5 X, you'll properly want to keep garage costs in check by opting for the affordable 3 year servicing plan that is available at point of purchase. Finally, there's the usual Citroen three year / 60,000 mile warranty.

Summary

There's certainly a spark of originality here, with elegance, comfort, efficiency and style translated into a car designed to suit a family executive looking for something just a little different. But all the true great large Citroens of the past were always marked out by the ground breaking innovations they introduced. Everything here though, we've seen before; the style concept from BMW, the engineering from Peugeot, the suspension system from DS. Combining all of that though, does create an undeniably pleasing Gallic confection and even if the exterior design concept is derivative, it's been delivered with the flair of a puff of Gallouise. A C5 X will be a rare sight on British roads, but we can't help liking it. Let almost everyone else in the sector sign on the dotted line for something dull and probably German. Instead, go and try one of these. Be different. Just as Citroen is now once more trying to be.

Body Glass

Rear wiper

Heated rear window

Front and rear electric windows

Remote 4-window opening/closing with plip

Automatic rain-sensitive flat blade wipers with integrated wash function

Acoustic insulated and tinted front and extra tinted rear windows

Extra tinted rear quarter panel windows with animation in glass

Acoustic insulated and tinted windscreen with Extended Head Up Display (eHUD) with windscreen projection

Brakes

Anti-lock brake system

Intelligent Traction Control system

Electric parking brake

Hill start assist function

Electronic Stability Programme (ESP)

Active safety brake with video and radar assistance

Carpets/Rugs

Front and rear floor mats

Chassis/Suspension

Citroen Advanced Comfort suspension with double (front & rear) progressive hydraulic cushions

Communication

Voice recognition

E-call

Wireless smartphone charging

Wireless mirror screen

Driver Aids

Lane keep assist

Front and rear parking sensors

Forward collision warning

Rear cross traffic alert

Coffee Break Alert

Speed limit recognition and recommendation

Driver attention alert system

360 degree camera

Extended traffic sign recognition

In-crash braking

extended blind spot detection

Electric variable power assisted steering

Highway Integrated Assist (ADP Cruise Control with S&G function, Lane Positioning Asst, Semi Auto Lane Change Asst, Anticipated Intelligent Speed Asst

Visiopark 360

Driver Information

Outside temperature display

Citroen connect box with emergency and assistance system

Connected 3D navigation

Driver information panel with lighting fault indicator

7'' Digital instrument cluster with smoked glass and 2 indicator lights

MyCitroлn Drive Plus (incorporating electronic user guide)

Remote functions: horn and lighting, lock/unlock doors, vehicle status

12" Central touch screen with separate heating and ventilation controls (with ADAS and Home buttons)

Multi window screen

Driving Mirrors

Frameless electrochrome interior rear view mirror

Electronic, heated, black folding door mirrors with integrated LED indicator, LED approach lighting

Embellishment Trims

Dashboard and door panels dйcor - wood film and grain

Entertainment

DAB Digital radio

Bluetooth streaming

2 front USB plugs : 1 USB type C charge + data (front of centre console), 1 USB type C charge only (under centre front armrest), able to charge IPAD

2 rear USB plugs charging only (able to charge IPAD)

Exterior Body Features

Body coloured door handles

A pillar in black

Gloss black shark fin antenna

Chrome Citroлn chevrons integrated into front grille and extending outward into front light signature

Gloss black Citroлn chevrons with chrome surround, chrome Citroлn lettering and C5 X badging on rear tailgate

Satin chrome trim on rear bumper

Rear side wing doors

Motorised rear tailgate with hands free access

Gloss black door mirror covers

Exterior Lights

High level LED brake light

LED daytime running lights

LED rear lights

LED rear number plate lights

LED front indicators

Automatically illuminating LED headlamps with automatic High Beam Assist (with driver adjustment controls in passenger compartment)

Automatic illumination of headlamps when unlocking

LED fog lights with static cornering function integrated into front bumper apron

Automatic welcome and follow me home lighting

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

Automatic dual zone air-conditioning with Soft/Normal/Fast variable settings, A/C max function and single- zone function (through touch screen)

Rear air vents with independent opening/closing and left and right airflow settings for rear seat passengers

High efficiency air filter

Interior Features

Front and rear door pockets

Driver's footrest

Heated steering wheel

Height and reach adjustable steering wheel

Front seatback storage pockets

Stainless steel boot sill

12V power socket in front centre console

e-Toggle automatic gear selector switch on centre-console

Multifunction leather steering wheel with paddle shifters, driving assistance and infotainment control functions

Satin chrome dashboard strip and satin chrome decor on bottom of door panels

Satin chrome highlighted air vents and steering wheel

Black leather-effect front and rear door panel inserts

Black leather-effect central armrest with overstitching

Mistral carpet with reinforced driver's foot well

Dashboard mounted black, backlit, chrome-ringed start/stop button

Smartphone storage in front of (front) centre armrest

Storage under central armrest

Front and rear passenger storage areas in central console

Rear armrest storage and cup holders

Roll up awning fitted to tailgate

Black tie down rings for secure load storage

Carpeted boot with low-friction loading floor rails

Brushed aluminium effect pedals

Illuminated passenger glovebox

Hype Ambience leather effect upholstery + Advanced heated electric front comfort seats, lumbar, headrest, driver memory

Interior Lights

Courtesy lighting: front roof light, rear roof light, central console lighting, LED illuminated glovebox and LED boot light

Interior LED welcome lighting - door handles, front foot wells, driver instrument panel

Safety

Lateral airbags

Curtain airbags

Front passenger airbag deactivation

Power child locks on rear doors

2 tone horn

Five 3 point inertia reel seat belts

Unfastened seatbelt visual warning system on all seats + audible warning for driver/front passenger (front passenger presence detection)

Front inertia reel seatbelt with pre-tensioners and force limiters

Driver and front passenger airbags

Tyre underinflation detection

Pedestrian protection active bonnet

Seats

Front headrests

3 rear headrests

3 seat bench in 2nd row

ISOFIX points in outer rear seats with top tether anchorage points

Magic Handles - allows rear seats to be folded flat from the boot compartment

Single front passenger seat

Security

Locking wheel nuts

Deadlocking system

Perimetric and volumetric anti theft alarm

Proximity keyless entry (doors, boot and fuel filler flap) and start

Vanity Mirrors

Driver and front passenger sun visors with mirrors and LED lighting

Wheels - Alloy

19'' Aero-X Diamond Cut Alloys with Onyx black paint & Onyx black aero inserts

Emissions - ICE

Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6

Noise Level dB(A): 69

CO: 0.392

HC: 0.021

NOx: 0.04

HC+NOx: N

Particles: 0.0003

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb: 140

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Low - TEL: 160

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Low - TEH: 179

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Medium - TEL: 135

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Medium - TEH: 154

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - High - TEL: 115

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - High - TEH: 136

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Extra High - TEL: 137

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Extra High - TEH: 166

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEH: 158

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEL: 139

Engine and Drive Train

Cylinders - Bore (mm): 75

Cylinders - Stroke (mm): 90.5

CC: 1199

Cylinders: 3

Cylinder Layout: IN-LINE

Number of Valves: 12

Camshaft: DOHC

Fuel Delivery: TURBO DIRECT INJECTION

Catalytic Convertor: No

Engine Layout: FRONT TRANSVERSE

Compression Ratio: 10.5:1

Transmission: SEMI-AUTO

Gears: 8 SPEED

Fuel Consumption - ICE

EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: 0

WLTP - MPG - Comb: 47.3

WLTP - MPG - Low - TEL: 39.2

WLTP - MPG - Low - TEH: 35.2

WLTP - MPG - Medium - TEL: 46.7

WLTP - MPG - Medium - TEH: 40.8

WLTP - MPG - High - TEL: 54.5

WLTP - MPG - High - TEH: 46.4

WLTP - MPG - Extra High - TEL: 45.9

WLTP - MPG - Extra High - TEH: 38

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEL: 47.3

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEH: 40.4

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb: 6

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Low - TEL: 7.2

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Low - TEH: 8

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Medium - TEL: 6.1

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Medium - TEH: 6.9

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - High - TEL: 5.2

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - High - TEH: 6.1

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Extra High - TEL: 6.1

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Extra High - TEH: 7.4

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEL: 6

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEH: 7

General

Coin Series: Max

Coin Description: PureTech 130

Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 3

Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 60000

Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?: 0

Special Edition: 0

Special Order: 0

Based On ID: N

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 20E

NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: 82

NCAP Child Occupant Protection %: 87

NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: 69

NCAP Safety Assist %: 66

NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: 4

Badge Power: 130

Badge Engine CC: 1.2

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

AdBlue: 0

Generation Mark: 1

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: 0

Performance

0 to 62 mph (secs): 10.4

Top Speed: 132

Engine Power - BHP: 129

Engine Power - PS: 0

0 to 60 mph (secs): 0

Engine Power - KW: 96

Engine Power - RPM: 5500

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 170

Engine Torque - NM: 230

Engine Torque - RPM: 1750

Engine Torque - MKG: 23.5

Test Cycles

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

RDE Certification Level: RDE 2

Tyres

Tyre Size Front: 205/55 R19

Tyre Size Rear: 205/55 R19

Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT

Wheel Type: 19" ALLOY

Wheel Style: Aero-X

Alloys?: No

Space Saver?: 0

Vehicle Dimensions

Length: 4805

Width: 1865

Wheelbase: 2785

Width (including mirrors): 2062

Height: 1485

Weight and Capacities

Minimum Kerbweight: 1418

Gross Vehicle Weight: 1905

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 52

Max. Towing Weight - Braked: 1050

Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: 745

Max. Loading Weight: 487

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 545

No. of Seats: 5

Max. Roof Load: 80

Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): 1640

Entertainment

Hi Fi surround system: 8 loudspeakers (2 front woofers, 2 front tweeters, 2 rear woofers, 2 rear tweeters, subwoofer and central dashboard speaker)

Exterior Body Features

Pearlescent paint

Special metallic paint

Bi-tone black roof

Paint - Metallic

Metallic - Eclipse blue

Paint - Pearlescent

Pearl - Pearl white

Paint - Special

Special metallic - Platinum grey

Special metallic - Perla nera black

Special metallic - Amazonite Grey

Trim - Leather

Hype Ambience leather effect with Advanced Comfort seats - Mistral Black + heated electric front seats with driver memory and wood effect dash trim

Wheels - Spare

Compressor with puncture repair kit

Spare wheel pre-conditioning