Citroen C5 Aircross returns: a soft armchair on wheels instead of a sporty SUV

The new Citroen C5 Aircross has changed generation but kept its character: soft ride, spacious cabin and a 145 hp hybrid that needs no charging cable.

Citroen C5 Aircross has changed generation, but not its character. The French SUV is once again betting not on sportiness, but on what people used to buy it for: a soft ride, a roomy cabin and calm hybrid driving with no need to plug into the mains.

The new model is visually closer to the concept. The rear lamps with their protruding elements stand out in particular: Citroen claims that this is not only about design, but also works for aerodynamics. The headlights can be matrix units with 20 LEDs, and the wheels now reach 20 inches — the largest size in the brand’s history.

The cabin has become more technological. The main element is a vertical 13-inch screen, the largest among Stellantis models. It reacts quickly and offers good graphics, as does the digital instrument cluster. But there is a debatable point: the trim uses a lot of hard plastic. It looks sturdy, but for an SUV in this class you would expect more soft materials.

The seating position and the seats themselves remain a strong point of the C5 Aircross. The Advanced Comfort seats with a thicker foam layer ease fatigue well on long trips. With leather trim they are slightly less plush than the fabric versions, but the overall level of comfort stays high. The second row has become less flexible: there are no longer three separate seats or a sliding bench. On the other hand, the backrests recline by 21 or 33 degrees, the backs fold in a 40:20:40 split, and head and knee room are generous.

Child seats are easy to fit. The boot holds 565 litres regardless of the powertrain. That is less than the previous generation, where capacity could reach 720 litres with the bench slid forward, but for family use the room is still decent.

The Hybrid version suits those who want electrification without a charging cable. The system delivers 145 hp, uses a 29 hp electric motor and a 0.89 kWh battery. There is enough pull for everyday driving, and the dual-clutch gearbox works in a sufficiently coordinated way with the hybrid system.

The main impression is the suspension. Progressive hydraulic dampers smooth out bumps so well that the C5 Aircross remains one of the softest SUVs in its class. The trade-off is predictable — the body leans noticeably in corners, and the steering feels too light.

Citroen has not tried to turn the C5 Aircross into an athlete. It has simply left it with a rare quality — the ability to drive in a way that makes passengers think less about the road beneath the wheels.