Will facelifted 2022 Citroen C5 Aircross come to Australia? Volkswagen Tiguan and Renault Koleos competitor gets new design and multimedia update

The updated Citroen C5 Aircross borrows design elements from the new C4 and the unusual C5 X.

Citroen is signaling a change in design direction with an updated version of its C5 Aircross midsize SUV.

The French brand is aiming to give the facelifted C5 Aircross a more upmarket look with a new design theme that favors structured lines over curves.

The updated rival Renault Koleos still features bold front-end styling, but Citroen has given it a makeover, ditching the split headlights on the pre-facelifted model that arrived in Australian showrooms in mid-2019.

Citroen was one of the first brands to adopt split headlights - specifically slim daytime running lights with a square lower headlight binnacle - in the C4 Picasso back in 2013. Hyundai has applied them to many of its SUV models.

The headlights are now a single unit, and the V-shaped DRLs are clearly inspired by the Citroen C5 X crossover introduced in 2021.

It now features a completely redesigned front bumper inspired by the new C4 and C5 CX with a larger lower air intake, new side air intakes and two grille louvers that surround a larger and more prominent chevron logo finished in black lacquer. chrome finish.

The only obvious changes to the rear are changes to the design of the 3D effect LED taillights. It also gets new 18-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels and a fresh Eclipse Blue color for the palette. The so-called protective Airbumps running along the bottom of the doors are carried over.

Inside, it has a new 10-inch multimedia screen, up from 8.0 inches on the previous version, as well as a 12-inch digital instrument cluster. Other changes affected the center console.

The Citroen Advanced Comfort seats have been redesigned for even greater comfort, with a choice of new seat materials and colors.

Citroen has also improved cabin noise with acoustic laminated front windows.

There are few changes under the skin. The plug-in hybrid version offered abroad only allows an electric range of 55 km.

The existing model is currently offered in Australia in two trims starting at $42,990 Feel to on-road and Shine starting at $46,990.

Both are powered by a 1.6kW/121Nm 240-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine that drives the front wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission.

This is the same transmission as its Peugeot 3008 twin and 5008 SUV.

A spokesperson for Citroen Australia said the facelifted C5 Aircross is in the evaluation phase for Australia, but history shows it will eventually be launched locally, with timing and pricing yet to be determined.

“We can confirm that the all-new C5 Aircross is currently undergoing local evaluation. We hope to be able to share more information about the all-new Citroen C5 Aircross with you in the coming months,” they said.

The C5 Aircross holds the unfortunate title of the best-selling model in the Australian mid-size SUV segment under $60,000. In 2021, Citroen found just 58 homes for the C5, down 34.8% from 2020.

This is far less than other slow-selling vehicles in the segment such as the Peugeot 5008 (189), SsangYong Korando (353) and Jeep Cherokee (382), as well as segment leader Toyota RAV4 (35,751).