5 Citroen C2020 Aircross Review: Shine

Look down your street and you're sure to find a handful of nondescript gray midsize SUVs that are barely distinguishable from one another.

If you're fed up with the usual Toyota RAV4 and Mazda CX-5 you see everywhere, the Citroen C5 Aircross could be the breath of fresh air you crave.

Combining a head-turning aesthetic with the usual quirky French flair, Citroen has many points of difference from its competitors, but does that mean it's better? Or just French?

We took home the top Citroen C5 Aircross Shine for a week to see if it has the potential to compete in Australia's most popular and competitive car segment.

Citroen C5 Aircross 2020: shine
Safety Rating
engine's type	1.6 L turbo
fuel type	Regular unleaded gasoline
Fuel efficiency	7.9l / 100km
Landing	5 Places
Price from	$36,200

Is there anything interesting about its design? 9/10

It only takes one look at the Citroen C5 Aircross to know that this mid-size SUV is unlike any other.

So, our test car's bright orange paint job definitely helps draw attention, but it's the small cosmetic tweaks that elevate the C5 Aircross above the competition.

See the black plastic lining under the doors? Well, it's actually the "air bumps" that Citroen pioneered on the C4 Cactus to protect the bodywork from unwanted damage.

The front fascia is also distinguished by its outstanding design: the Citroen emblem is integrated into the grille, and the branded lighting creates a magnificent effect. (Image: Thung Nguyen)

Sure, they could be more practical on the C4 Cactus, where they're positioned roughly at waist level to prevent unwanted bogie dents, but it's still nice to see Citroen's unique design touches appear on the C5 Aircross.

The air dampers are also integrated a bit more seamlessly when they are lower, giving the C5 Aircross a taller look befitting a stylish midsize SUV.

The front fascia is also distinguished by its outstanding design: the Citroen emblem is integrated into the grille, and the signature lighting creates a great effect.

Overall, the look of the C5 Aircross is definitely eye-catching and a good choice for those who don't want a similar looking SUV.

The front seats are especially pleasant to be in due to the comfortable driving position and the large glazing that allows a lot of light to pass through. (Image: Tung Nguyen)

Of course, what's inside matters.

Fortunately, the interior of the C5 Aircross has as much character as it does the exterior, thanks to capacitive media controls, unique surface finishes and a fresh layout.

We particularly like the clean design of the center console and the huge air vents.

How practical is the interior space? 8/10

With a length of 4500 mm, a width of 1859 mm and a height of 1695 mm, the Citroen C5 Aircross is not inferior to its competitors Mazda CX-5 and Toyota RAV4. But most importantly, its longer wheelbase (2730mm) ensures a spacious and airy cabin.

While the benches may look like chaise longues in an Art Deco painting (that's not a criticism), they're soft, flexible, and supportive in all the right places.

The front seats are especially pleasant to be in due to the comfortable driving position and the large glazing that allows a lot of light to pass through.

Second-row seating eliminates the usual bench arrangement for three individual seats. (Image: Thung Nguyen)

Even after hours on the road, running down the freeway and downtown, we didn't notice a hint of fatigue or soreness in our butts or backs.

Storage boxes are also plentiful, though the door pockets are too shallow to accommodate standing water bottles.

The second row does not have the usual bench arrangement for three individual seats, all of which are full-sized and comfortable for tall passengers.

We say "tall" because legroom can be a little lacking given our 183cm (six-foot) frame in the front seat.

That said, head and shoulder room in the back of the C5 is excellent, though with three adults abreast it can get a little cramped for wider folks.

Minor quibbles aside, this midsize SUV can easily carry five adults in comfort and style.

For those who need to haul a lot of cargo, the C5 Aircross will do, thanks to its 580-litre boot, which outshines the Mazda CX-5 by more than 100 litres.

The deep and wide luggage compartment will easily fit bags for a weekend trip or groceries for a small family for a week, and with the rear seats folded down, its volume can increase to 1630 liters.

However, the second road seats don't fold down completely, which can make it difficult to drive to Ikea, although each position can be slid and stowed away individually.

The tailgate also doesn't go up that high, meaning we couldn't stand directly under it. Again, I'm on the high side.

Does it represent good value for money? What functions does it have? 7/10

The Citroen C5 Aircross Shine costs $43,990 before travel expenses, while the basic Feel can be purchased for $39,990.

Citroen may have a higher price tag than its South Korean and Japanese rivals, but it's also loaded with standard equipment only found in higher-end cars like the Honda CR-V and Hyundai Tucson.

The instrument cluster is fully digital, spread over a 12.3-inch screen that can be configured to display driving data, sat-nav information or multimedia.

We're big fans of digital instrument displays when they're done well, and borrowing more than a few elements from its sister brand Peugeot and its great 3008 and 5008 SUVs, the C5 Aircross is in a winning formula.

It comes with 19" alloy wheels. (Image: Thung Nguyen)

Between the driver and front passenger is an 8.0-inch multimedia touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, as well as built-in satellite navigation, digital radio and Bluetooth for smartphones.

A wireless smartphone charger is also located in the storage tray located in front of the gear shifter, and devices can also be connected to one of two USB sockets or two 12-volt outlets.

Other key features include keyless entry, push button start, dual-zone climate control with rear vents, power folding mirrors, roof rails, quick-open electronic tailgate, laminated acoustic glass and 19-inch alloy wheels. wheels - the last two are limited to the highest Shine class.

Please note that there is no heating or cooling of the seats.

While the C5 Aircross doesn't have some of the standout gadgets you can find on its competitors, like a built-in SIM card for remote vehicle monitoring, what's included is practical and easy to use.

What are the main characteristics of the engine and transmission? 7/10

Power comes from a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine that sends 121kW/240Nm to the front wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission.

While you might think the 1.6-liter engine is better suited to an economy hatchback than a family hauler, there's surprising pep in the C5 Aircross's stride.

Peak power is reached at 6000 rpm, which is quite high in the rev range, but maximum torque is available at 1400 rpm, giving the C5 Aircross enough power to get out of the light quickly and without trouble.

Power comes from a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. (Image: Thung Nguyen)

While the engine fizzles out at the top, the C5 Aircross isn't exactly designed to keep up with track-killing sports cars.

The torque converter automatic transmission is also a gem, shifting gears smoothly and forcefully both in the city and at freeway cruising speed.

The gearbox, however, can err on the side of downshifting, as a quick tap on the gas stops the machine for a second while it decides what to do next.

For reference, the official 0-100 km/h time is 9.9 seconds, but we doubt anyone looking at the C5 Aircross will bother with that number.

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How much fuel does it consume? 9/10

The official fuel consumption data for the Citroen C5 Aircross is 7.9 liters per 100 km, and in a week with the car, the average fuel consumption was 8.2 per 100 km over a distance of 419 km.

Normally, our test vehicles fall far short of official consumption numbers, due in part to our heavy use within city limits, but our week with the C5 Aircross also included an approximately 200km weekend trip (on the freeway) round trip from Melbourne to Cape Shank.

Our real economy score is certainly lower than the midsize SUVs we've tested, with the exception of those with a hybrid or plug-in powertrain, so Citroen's top marks for maintaining an economical but not limp engine. .

What is it like to drive? 8/10

Citroen have been praised for their plush ride comfort in the past, and the new C5 Aircross is no exception.

Standard on all C5 Aircross vehicles is the brand's unique "progressive hydraulic strut" suspension, which is a fancy way of saying it's really comfortable on bumps.

Our top-of-the-line Shine variant gets enhanced comfort features that soak up the road even better, and the system works exactly as advertised, perhaps thanks to the plush seats.

Small road bumps are almost imperceptible, while larger road ruts are also easily overcome by the suspension.

What really impressed us in our time with the car was the sharp and dynamic steering.

Tilt the C5 Aircross into a corner and the steering wheel doesn't go numb like other midsize SUVs, it actually offers a ton of feedback right into the driver's hands.

Don't get us wrong, this isn't an MX-5 or a Porsche 911, but there's certainly enough connection here to make you feel the car's limits, and it's actually fun to throw it around a few corners.

However, one aspect that might be a roadblock for some is the fact that the C5 Aircross is front-wheel drive only.

Some may lament the lack of an all-wheel drive option as they may want to go off-road or occasionally (very) light off-road. But Citroen included a selectable drive mode in the package to try and make up for that.

Available options include descent and sand modes to adjust traction control to suit requirements, but we haven't had a chance to fully test these settings.

Warranty and safety rating

Basic Warranty

5 years / unlimited mileage


guarantee

ANCAP Safety Rating

What safety equipment is installed? What is the safety rating? 7/10

The Citroen C5 Aircross received four out of five ANCAP crash safety ratings during testing in September 2019.

While the car scored high in adult and child protection tests, scoring 87 and 88 percent respectively, the vulnerable road user protection test scored 58 percent.

The safety systems category scored 73% thanks to the standard inclusion of autonomous emergency braking, forward collision warning, blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning and six airbags.

It comes with a spare part to save space. (Image: Thung Nguyen)

Other standard safety technologies include cruise control, traffic sign recognition, front and rear parking sensors, a reversing camera (with a wide field of view), automatic headlights and wipers, and driver warning.

Please note that adaptive cruise control is not available on the C5 Aircross.

How much does it cost to own? What kind of guarantee is provided? 6/10

Like all new Citroëns, the C5 Aircross comes with a five-year unlimited mileage warranty, plus five years of roadside assistance and limited-price service.

Service intervals are set at 12 months or 20,000 km, whichever comes first.

However, maintenance costs are high, with the first scheduled maintenance at $458 and the next at $812.

These costs alternate up to five years of 100,000 km service at $470, after which prices become unaffordable.

So after five years of ownership, the C5 Aircross will cost $3010 in scheduled maintenance fees.

Verdict

All in all, the Citroen C5 Aircross offers an enticing alternative to the popular midsize SUV if you want to stand out from the crowd.

Minor flaws aside, such as the lack of some amenities and advanced driver assistance technologies, the C5 Aircross delivers a comfortable and even enjoyable driving experience with plenty of practical space.

We also wish the cost of ownership was a little more attractive, and a four-star safety rating might put some off, but Citroen's midsize SUV, as a family hauler, fits our purposes.

If you're bored with the same style of other SUVs, the Citroen C5 Aircross could be the breath of fresh air you're looking for.