[This article was first published on motorist.sg]
The Citroën C5 Aircross is a practical-sized European crossover with a very un-European price tag. This is not your typical hatchback-based crossover, but a properly designed SUV through and through.
Copious interior space, solid build-quality and a European emblem upfront, at a relatively wallet-friendly price tag. It may sound too good to be true, but it isn’t - the Citroën C5 Aircross is just that well thought out!
For customers looking to upgrade to a European crossover, you may be getting one of the most value-for-money models in Singapore when you buy the latest Citroën C5 SUV. We challenge you to find a more compelling offering for the price. This is a car in which function meets form in a quirky and inimitable French way.
Where other cars in class make do with 400 to 500 litres of cargo capacity, the C5 Aircross can swallow a whopping 580 litres worth of prams, groceries and well, everything else that a family man would need to lug around.
The rear bench is also mounted on rails. This means you can move them forward by up to 150mm for extra storage space - doing this will up the carrying capacity to a whopping 670 litres. Also, spatial configurability is where its rivals flounder - most of its competitors have 60/40 split rear seats.
Citroën opted to fit full-sized, individually-foldable rear seats to afford its users the luxury of flexibility. Just got a new BTO and did a spot of impulse furniture shopping? Fold-down any number of rear seats and you'll be able to fit even the tallest of shelves. With the second row folded down, you not only have a flat floor but also 1,630 litres worth of boot space.
The 1.2L turbocharged PureTech in-line four-banger has been re-introduced. This allows the car to be sold with a Cat A COE, but with its 129bhp on tap, it still offers a smooth and powerful experience behind the wheel. It really is an affordable, value-for-money drive, for those seeking a Continental car.
This motor is then coupled to an eight-speed automatic gearbox, a refreshing departure from the CVTs its rivals seem to all sport. Do not underestimate this powerplant combo - the C5 Aircross feels nimble, yet still very obviously geared towards comfort, with a fairly linear powerband, light controls and very compliant suspension. It has a very impressive 4.9L/100km fuel efficiency rating too!
The C5 Aircross exudes an air of style in its French approach to car design. It originally debuted in 2015 as a concept car, with styling cues very heavily influenced by the C3 of its time. The polygonal cues have made it through to the final production car, and Citroën has affectionately dubbed this design cue as the "Airbumps". Thankfully, it retains much of what made the concept such a show-stopper to begin with, albeit toned-down.
Though this styling cue isn’t strictly for aesthetics only. No need to worry about damaging your paintwork here - the tough cladding it has been made from ensures you do not suffer from any scratches/dings and dents, especially when you accidentally open your doors to a raised curb/platform.
It still maintains a unique outwardly appearance that is atypical in its class though, forgoing the butch and boxy form factor of other SUVs, opting instead for a rounder, softer approach to car styling. Overall, this is a well-executed design, that makes for a sensible and mature outward appearance.
Its pièce de résistance would have to be what Citroën dubs as their "Progressive Hydraulic Cushions". To put it simply, this technology consists of two progressive hydraulic cushions added to an otherwise conventional suspension setup.
A massive pro of this system is that it isn’t electrical or pneumatic. As it is a purely mechanical system, there is longevity in the system, and you do not have to worry about your suspension failing you!
These are designed to supplement the shock absorbers on the car, allowing it to better absorb bumps and regulate any other undesirable vertical movements for a "magic carpet ride". This approach definitely pays off, as the combo means the C5 Aircross rides better than some really expensive European cars in their most comfort-oriented setting.
This means that if you’re ferrying your wife or girlfriend in the morning, and they’re putting on makeup whilst rushing for work? They’ll never have to worry about drawing a crooked eyeliner ever again!
This is a car that would reward you with a supple and comfortable ride regardless of the road surface. There’s really a sense that it has been designed from the ground up with comfort and practicality in mind. Then again, it really shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone though. Citroën is a marque with a strong DNA in ride comfort, delivering pliant driving experiences to its customers.
With the latest Citroën C5 Aircross SUV, now under the Cat A COE, there's a new discovery at every turn! Book a test drive to discover more with Cycle & Carriage Citroën now!
[Source article: motorist.sg/article/1210/up-and-about-with-the-citroen-c5-aircross-new-discoveries-at-every-turn]
