PURE CITROEN (some text hidden) --NONE--

By Jonathan Crouch

Citroen's stylish C5 Aircross model aims to offer something a little different in the mid-sized SUV segment. Jonathan Crouch looks at the latest version of the PureTech 130 petrol variant.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 68

What if the kind of ride comfort you'd get on a large luxury SUV could be replicated - or even improved upon - in an affordable mid-sized model? Well that's what this car, Citroen's C5 Aircross, sets out to provide to 'Qashqai-class' folk. It was first launched in 2018, then updated in early 2022 to create the version we're looking at here in base Puretech 130 petrol form.

Backgroundword count: 142

Citroen has been turning around its SUV fortunes and the little C3 Aircross, updated in 2021, has sold well in the small supermini-derived SUV sector. This family hatch-based C5 Aircross will be equally important in the class above and claims to bring 'an all-new level of overall comfort' to the segment. That comes courtesy of super-supportive 'Advanced Comfort' seats and a clever suspension system using what the marque calls 'Progressive Hydraulic Cushions'. The C5 Aircross might sell itself to you in terms of its practicality too, though it's not large enough to offer a seven-seat option. Still, if that's not an issue and you're buying in this segment, there's plenty else to catch your attention, especially with this updated model with offers a smarter look and a usefully upgraded interior. We're going to check it out in base PureTech 130 petrol form.

Driving Experienceword count: 286

Set off in a C5 Aircross and one of the first things that Citroen hopes you'll notice is the impressive ride quality, embellished by a clever 'Progressive Hydraulic Cushions' suspension system which delivers class-leading comfort over poorer surfaces. Hydraulic dampers cushion the top and bottom of wheel travel at the top and bottom of wheel travel and allow the fitment of softer springs and dampers, producing what the brand describes as a 'magic carpet'-like feel. Thick quilted 'Advanced Comfort' front seats further embellish the feeling of Gallic luxury. The inevitable flip-side of that is that there's a little more roll through the bends than you'd get from an obvious class rival. But if you can ignore this, there's actually more grip and traction than you'd think, though the somewhat over-light electric steering does its best to disguise the fact. Here, we're looking at the base 1.2-litre three cylinder PureTech petrol unit. This offers 130hp (more than you'd get with the base petrol engines found in some rivals) and seems on paper to offer a reasonable set of performance stats - rest to 62mph in 10.5s en route to 121mph. On the road though, the efforts of the little triple-cylinder powerplant are somewhat hobbled by the fact that the kerb weight of this SUV is likely to be up around 1.5-tonnes, once you've fitted a few extras. Across the range, there's no 4WD system offered, but buyers do get 'Grip Control with Hill Descent Assist', for extra front-driven traction in slippery conditions. There's also Hill Start Assist, to help you starting off up steep slopes. And Trailer Stability Control, to reduce trailer sway if you're towing. That's about as much as most likely buyers will ever need.

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