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The Citroen C5 Aircross reminds me of the 3SE band. They were great in the past, and they’ve returned today with the classic recipe, and apparently, it still works. That’s why I’m attempting this article today.

In 2017, within the Stellantis group, they decided to join forces and launch the following cars together: DS7, Peugeot 3008, Peugeot 5008, Vauxhall Grandland, and Citroen C5 Aircross. Because evidently, the French can’t be consistent and stick to one thing, as the Citroen C5 Aircross is technically the successor to the C4 Aircross, which, in turn, is technically the successor to the C-Crosser. All three cars belong to different classes, with different clientele and approaches. But that’s what happens when you chug Chardonnay from morning to night, and your main weekend activity is protesting – you forget to make actual cars.

Probably that’s why the Citroen C5 Aircross follows the classic Citroen success recipe, because they either forgot or didn’t have time to come up with a new one. And they somewhat maintain the previous line of thinking – they offer a car that is like a meat pie: substantial, good, but raw (Opel Grandland), they offer Risotto al Ragu, which is the middle ground between utility and fashion accessory (Peugeot 3008 and 5008), they offer boeuf bourguignon, which is above Risotto al Ragu (Citroen C5 Aircross), and then they offer what the wealthy eat at Gian Carlo’s (DS7), because they don’t know what’s served there, and I probably never will.

Why buy a C5 Aircross and not another one from the family?

Because Citroen is the most comfortable in the Grandland – 5008 – C5 Aircross trio, and I won’t put the DS7 on the list because it plays in a different league, just like the old Wheeler Dealers played in a completely different league compared to the new one. And that’s because they kept the hydropneumatic suspension, with which Citroen left its mark on the automotive world. Honestly, just for that it’s worth buying a Citroen C5 Aircross. In fact, it’s the most comfortable SUV in its price range. On the flip side, it’s not the most agile and sporty.

For “costs optimization” reasons, as they say in corporations when you’re promoted to the client level (as they say in corporations when you’re fired), Grandland, 3008, 5008, and C5 Aircross come only with front-wheel drive. On one side, it’s “tax optimization” and “cost reduction,” on the other side is the DS7, the only one available with all-wheel drive because you have to somehow justify the higher price. However, the C5 Aircross has some electronics mounted on the hydraulic suspension, offering limited all-wheel-drive capabilities. It’s not a true all-wheel-drive system; it just helps a bit more in snowy situations, but again, its use is very limited.

Citroen C5 Aircross Engines

Petrol

• 1.2 Turbo EB2DTS PureTech of 130 horsepower – No. Perhaps it fits under the hood of a urban 3008, but for the 5008 and C5 Aircross, it’s more insufficient than Walmart employees during Black Friday. Plus, it consumes oil and is dependent on high-quality petrol, just like Walmart’s employees were dependent on plate armor that could withstand the stampedes.


• 1.6 Turbo EP6CDTM of 180 horsepower – The same 1.6 Turbo launched 600 years ago, with the same timing issues. But it’s the only petrol engine worth buying, and even here I’m not convinced because the C5 Aircross is the avant-garde type, and you should buy the hybrid version. Because it’s that kind of what Citroen does. Avant-garde

Diesel

• 1.5 BlueHDi DV5 of 130 horsepower – Again, it’s a completely decent and sensible engine for the 3008, but I’m not convinced for the C5 Aircross. But at least it doesn’t have specific issues, but it still doesn’t convince me, just like the idea that the Sun and the Moon are different persons. I mean, I’ve never seen both of them at the same time.


• 2.0 HDi DW10 of 180 horsepower – As in the discussion about the 5008, the ancient 2.0 HDi with 180 horsepower is the most suitable engine for the C5 Aircross because the C5 Aircross aims to be a comfortable family car, allowing you to travel the world and enjoy that hydropneumatic suspension that makes every road as smooth as Kari Wuhrer’s skin, and the atmosphere is so inviting that it feels like Tom Jones is singing softly in the background.

Hybrid

1.6 Turbo EP6 of 180, 225, and 300 horsepower – If it’s a Citroen, you should buy the latest trend in fashion and technology. So, this hybrid comes with three batteries, which won’t start if the car decides that ambient conditions aren’t suitable for switching to electric mode, is the only option that’s worth it and no I don’t have money for punctuation anymore.

Citroen C5 AirCross Reliability Issues

• The hydropneumatic suspension is the main reason to buy a C5 Aircross, and it’s reliable. But when it breaks, good luck finding mechanics who will take on such a complex suspension.


• Electrical issues because it’s packed with technology. Bonus points for the alarm that can start whenever it wants and lock the car just because it can.


• The particle filter and AdBlue are complementary issues that come along with any modern diesel, and the garlic enthusiasts are not an exception.

Citroen C5 AirCross Verdict 

Buy it while it’s hot because the Citroen C5 Aircross is one of the last old school Citroens.  and I don’t know if we’ll see more of these anytime soon, considering that Citroen is gradually transforming from french to mainstream…And to be honest, it’s final main selling point is the hydraulic suspension and that’s also in danger of the new times. But the hydraulic suspension is all you need to know.

Which engines do I recommend? For petrol, I recommend the 1.6 Turbo with 180 horsepower, but all the fun is with the 2 litre diesel and it’s 180 horsepower.