Citroen C5 X Review

Read Caroline’s Citroen C5 X review for everything you need to know about buying Citroen’s new large crossover in Ireland.

Citroen is back in the large family car segment with the new Citroen C5 X. It’s a new flagship for the Citroen brand. It blends the practicality of an estate car with the rugged style of a crossover.

C5 X goes on sale in Ireland priced from €42,370 and is available with the choice of petrol or plug-in hybrid engines. Already an award winner, the C5 X won Irish Large Crossover/SUV of the Year 2023 at the Irish Car of the Year awards.

This new model certainly looks to offer an appealing alternative to an SUV, but is it worth it?

In this review I’m going to take a closer look to find out.

What’s so special about the Citroen C5 X?

The new Citroen C5 X is a brand new model for the French brand. It’s now their largest car at 4.8 metres in length, longer than the Citroen C5 Aircross. That makes the C5 X resemble more an estate car than an SUV. But Citroen has raised it a little more off the ground and added some cladding around the wheel arches and sills to give a more crossover-inspired look. The result is very good indeed.

The C5 X certainly has presence and is a worthy flagship for Citroen. At the front, there’s no mistaking the striking V-shaped LED lighting signature that emphasises the car’s width. There is also lots of interesting chevron detail around the car. The rear styling is quite flamboyant with a roof spoiler and boot lid spoiler.

There are a lovely set of 19-inch diamond cut alloy wheels as standard, as well as LED headlights with high beam assist. The colour palette is quite muted with just six paint colours available and the option of a contrasting black roof.

There are three trim levels including Feel Pack, Flair and Flair Pack. The mid range Flair model offers a good compromise between price and equipment (from €44,330).

But it’s the finish of the interior and the space inside that makes the C5 X so special and a good alternative to the many family SUVs on the market right now including top sellers like the Kia Sportage, Nissan Qashqai and Hyundai Tucson.

Inside the C5 X

Some of Citroen’s more compact models in recent years, like the new Citroen C4, have been well-priced but the cabin quality has felt a little more basic. But the C5 X impresses right away with a very plush and sophisticated cabin with much better quality materials. Citroen has clearly upped the quality for their new flagship model and the C5 X is all the better for it. There’s lots of soft dashboard and door panelling for a more luxurious feel. Citroen’s ‘Advanced Comfort’ seats with leather-effect upholstery come as standard.

The C5 X is also well-equipped with lots of modern technology onboard like a reversing camera, forward collision warning and lane keep assist. Lumbar support for the driver also comes as standard making the C5 X ideal for long journeys. There’s a full digital instrument panel for the driver and a 10-inch touchscreen as standard with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Flair models get a more impressive 12-inch version. There are also physical dials and switches for the climate control and ventilation.

Inside, the C5 X feels big and roomy. The car has a long wheelbase so there’s lots of legroom in the rear. The back seat is wide enough to sit three comfortably. When it comes to boot space, the petrol models offer the most boot space at 545 litres, which is similar to a Peugeot 508 SW for example, and only about 50 litres less than a Skoda Superb Combi. Boot volume goes down to about 485 litres in the plug-in hybrid.

Handy features include a low, flat loading sill and switches in the boot to let down the rear seats, which split fold 60:40. Flair Pack models add a powered tailgate.

Driving the Citroen C5 X

The new Citroen C5 X goes on sale in Ireland with the choice of petrol engine or as a plug-in hybrid. The most affordable entry into the range is the 1.2-litre turbo petrol engine with 130hp, but for more power there is the option of a 1.6-litre turbo petrol with 180hp.

The most powerful of the range is the plug-in hybrid with 225hp and it can be driven electric for a range of up to about 55 kilometres. However it is the most expensive of the C5 X range, retailing from about €50,120. To get the best return on your investment, it needs to be charged and driven electric as much as possible. But no matter which version you go for, there is an 8-speed automatic as standard.

On test was the Citroen C5 X 1.2 petrol and it offers adequate performance. It doesn’t feel too under pressure in a car of this size, though it will need to be revved more to make quick progress, which can make it less efficient. During my time with the car, my average fuel consumption was 6.4 litres per 100 kilometres.

There are a few different driving modes including Eco, Sport and Normal, with the Sport model making the car feel a little more responsive, in overtaking manoeuvres for example. The 8-speed automatic can feel a little jerky at low speeds around town but this is less of an issue out on bigger roads.

But you’ll probably want to drive your C5 X at a more relaxed pace anyway. The Citroen C5 X really delivers as one of the most comfortable family cars you can buy. It offers a big car feel from behind the wheel with all versions coming with acoustic glazing in the windscreen, which makes it more serene in the cabin at high speeds on the motorway.

Citroen’s ‘Advanced Comfort’ suspension with progressive hydraulic cushions also comes as standard, which does a great job of offering a smooth drive regardless of road quality.

Did you like it?

The new Citroen C5 X is a new model for the French brand and already an award winner. It’s easy to see why as this car ticks many boxes, while offering good value in today’s market for a large family car.

If you’re bored of the SUV look, the C5 X might be the car for you as it has classy styling that is reminiscent of big luxury French cars of old.

Its stylish shape is not just for show however, and the C5 X offers impressive levels of interior space and boot space, making it an ideal family car.

Citroen has stepped up the quality and the C5 X is now one of the plushest Citroens you can buy. The stylish design, quality of the cabin and relaxed driving character mean the new C5 X feels like a return to form for the Citroen brand.

Model tested: Citroen C5 X 1.2 Flair
Price: €44,330
Engine: 1.2-litre turbo petrol
Power: 130hp
Torque: 230 Nm
Top speed: 209 km/h
Acceleration (0-100 km/h): 10.4 seconds
Motor Tax: €210 per year

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Written by Caroline Kidd

Founder and Editor of Changing Lanes, Juror for Irish Car of the Year