The French automaker says its studies show buyers are getting tired of SUVs and anything smaller, squarer.
Step inside the C5 X, a slender family circle that’s slightly taller than a traditional car.
The look is more haute couture than experimental fashion shows. Citroën has abandoned the unconventional taste of recent years for a more sublime and traditional look.
The C5 X is a niche offering, just like Citroën in those days. The logo sold 204 cars in the first nine months of this year.
The carriage has a higher seating position than a wagon but a lower roofline than an SUV.
A decent-sized boot will appeal to those who think outside the box.
There’s a fully loaded Shine version available, priced at $57,670 before highway charges, which is more than key rivals like the Skoda Superb pickup.
Power comes from a 1. 6-liter turbocharged petrol engine that generates 133 kW and 250 Nm, along with an eight-speed automatic transmission that drives the front wheels. A long list of devices includes 19-inch alloy wheels, LED lighting at the front and rear, and black roof and mirror caps.
Inside, passengers are greeted via a heated steering wheel and electronically adjustable plush leather seats at the front. High-end fabrics have been used and there are many soft-touch surfaces damaged by textured inserts.
Immersion a little more and impressive attention to detail. The seam of the seats and doors conform to the famous Citroën chevron logo, as does the trend of wooden inserts on the dashboard.
A high-resolution 12-inch central touchscreen is one of the clearest on the market and supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto wirelessly. Other benefits include virtual radio, built-in satellite navigation, a wireless device charger, and 4 USB-C ports. A seven-inch virtual driving force demonstration is small compared to the competition, but is complemented by a frontal demonstration that projects its speed, existing speed limit, and vital safety data on the windshield.
The cabin is an area with plenty of headroom and shoulders.
A generous 545-litre trunk is available with a hands-free tailgate that can be kicked under the bumper.
The C5 X will brake if it detects a collision with a car, pedestrian or cyclist. It will alert you if a car is in your blind spot and trigger the alarm if it detects an oncoming car when you back up.
It will also keep you in your lane and alert you if you lose or have been driving for too long.
Other handy driving aids include a bird’s-eye view camera and radar cruise control.
On the road, the C5 X’s engine is suitable and offers enough roar for a satisfied road trip. It can feel a bit under pressure on steep slopes and there is a slight hesitation of the low-speed automatic transmission.
The C5 X’s hydraulic suspension recovers superbly from large potholes and eliminates imperfections and bumps from the road bigger than most.
It’s not the most dynamic car in corners, but it’s worth paying for a big, comfortable family transport truck. It earns points for its light, direct steering, while Goodyear tires offer intelligent grip in the rain.
The cabin is quiet in the city and on the road, but on more uneven road surfaces, a dull roar disturbs the environment.
Citroën claims that the C5 X drinks 6. 0 L/100 km, which is excellent, it also wants a more expensive premium lead-free.
The C5 X is subsidized through a five-year/unlimited mileage warranty and a cap plan costs $2,818 over five years.
REVIEW OPINION 3. 5/5
A comfortable and stylish crossover that attracts curious shoppers looking for something different.
CITROËN C5 X VITAL GLOSS
PRICE $57,670 highway charges
1. 6-litre turbocharged petrol engine with four cylinders, 133 kW and 250 Nm
WARRANTY/MAINTENANCE Five years/km unlimited, $2,818 per year
SAFETY Six airbags, automatic emergency braking, blind spot detection, rear cross traffic alert, lane keeping assist, motive force attention alert, radar cruise control
Space saving
SED 6. 0L/100km
LUGGAGE 545 liters
Originally as a review of the new Citroen C5 X 2022 car