► Citroen’s C5X flagship crossover driven in the UK
► Plug-in hybrid and both petrols sampled
► A big Citroen for the head and heart
With the C5 X, Citroen was back doing what it does best: making quirky, interesting big cars that don’t just chase the Germans. Take the C5 X Hybrid – a curious blend of SUV stance, estate body, and the soft-sprung manners of old-school Citroens. It’s no longer on sale, but we thought it was worth another look.
At the top of the range is this plug-in hybrid version: combining a 1.6-litre petrol engine with an electric motor and battery pack for silent commuting and low company car tax bills. It’s based on the same EMP2 platform as the Peugeot 508, DS 9 and Vauxhall Grandland, but Citroen has made it its own – prioritising comfort over cornering and ride quality over rigidity.
But was it any good? We’ve had another look at the C5 X to see if it lives up to the promise of comfort, character and real-world usability.
Should you buy the Citroen C5 X? It’s no longer on sale, but if you want a genuinely comfortable and left-field family car it’s a strong buy.
At a glance
Pros: Comfortable, spacious interior, quirky design.
Cons: Not so engaging, low EV-range, weak infotainment.
What’s new?
Launched in 2022, the C5 X didn’t received major exterior changes, but the range-topping PHEV model was updated with a more efficient 180 e-EAT8 drivetrain (replacing the earlier 225 version), offering better electric range and improved fuel economy.
It’s a large five-seater measuring 4805mm long, some 50mm longer than an Audi A5 Sportback and about the same height as a big estate car. In essence, Citroen’s engineers have stretched a mid-size estate footprint to boost interior space, much like conceptually similar hatchbacks, the Vauxhall Signum and BMW 5/6 Series Gran Turismo.
Given both those cars have felt the chill wind of public indifference, Citroen also mixed in some essence of SUV. That meant giant wheels, a moderately raised ride height and lashings of black plastic cladding around the bottom of the car. Thankfully, there’s also some substance behind the style, too.
Inside, the C5 X makes use of Citroen’s Advanced Comfort programme, with ‘sofa-like’ seats and double-glazed windows on high-spec models. The overall vibe is serene rather than high-tech, and there’s been a strong effort to keep the controls intuitive – even if the infotainment software doesn’t always live up to that promise. But more on that later…
What are the specs?
Citroen kept the C5X range deliberately simple with three trims and just three engines. The least powerful option is the familiar 1.2-litre Puretech three-cylinder with a mere 128bhp. Up next is a 1.6-litre four with 178bhp while the plug-in hybrid pairs this engine with a front-mounted e-motor to give a combined total of 222bhp.
The C5 X Hybrid we drove pairs a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine with an electric motor, producing a healthy combined output of 180bhp in the version tested. Power is delivered through Citroen’s smooth-shifting 8-speed e-EAT8 automatic transmission. Acceleration is on the steady side with 0–62mph time of 8.3 seconds, but that’s very much in keeping with the C5 X’s relaxed vibe.
Official WLTP figures are punchy given the Citroen’s hybrid powertrain. Citroen quotes an impressive combined fuel economy of 236mpg, with CO₂ emissions rated at just 27g/km — making it especially appealing to the fleet market. On electric power alone, the C5 X can travel just 39 miles, depending on conditions and driving style. That’s not particularly impressive if you look at the competition.
How does it drive?
Softly. And that’s not a criticism – it’s the entire point. This is a car that prioritises calm above corner carving. The ride is pillowy and forgiving, especially at low speeds, and while it can get a little floaty at higher pace, it never feels wayward. It’s as close as any mainstream car gets to the magic-carpet feel of old Citroens.
All versions of the C5X get Advanced Comfort suspension with twin hydraulic bumpstops per corner, while the PHEV also gets adaptive dampers, too. All deal with smoothly surfaced but undulating A and B roads with aplomb, delivering a ride more akin to a far pricier luxury limo but with greater consistency and control than the similarly sized and priced Skoda Superb. Given that all test cars rode on massive 20in wheels, that’s some achievement.
Steering has not been a recent Citroen strength, but the C5X’s rack has big-car weight, and responds without any bagginess and pretty consistently even when twisty roads up the dynamic load regardless of version.
The PHEV is 304kg heavier than the base petrol, so the body naturally leans more into corners, but it’s well-controlled without any float or excessive pitching once you’ve engaged Sport mode on the dampers. You are aware of that big chunk of weight over the back axle, with a less planted feel than its petrol siblings.
In all cases, this is a car that is satisfying to drive briskly. Push too hard and it does start to feel a little ragged, although if point to point pace is what you’re after, you’re reading the wrong review.
The hybrid’s official lab tested economy is a preposterous 186mpg – thanks to a generous allowance of electric power in the test cycle – which equates to 30-34g/km of CO2. On our test route, we averaged 43.6mpg, not bad considering the enthusiastic driving and switching to eSave for 30mins for the engine to charge the batteries.
The Puretech 130 offers up to 48.6mpg on the combined cycle and 136 to 154g/km of CO2. On our punishing, near-80 mile test route, it returned about 44.1mpg according to the trip computer – slightly better than the hybrid. That speaks volumes about the best use cases for plug-in hybrids: brilliant for zero/low-emission trips within or not far exceeding its electric range, but lacking any advantage for frequent long-distance drivers.
What about the interior?
The interior is a strong point of the C5 X. Nice touches include Citroen double chevron stitching and floating air vents bookending the dashboard, and there’s a panel of air-con switches for those who prefer physical to digital. The touchscreen looks a bit tacked on, with a bafflingly beige colour scheme and naff ‘80s computer blocks to symbolise the voice assistant is computing something. And the optional glass roof doesn’t extend sufficiently far back to cater for rear passengers.
Even so, this is a welcoming interior especially with the pale wood effect trim pictured. Material quality is for the most part very good, with plenty of soft materials in places you touch regularly and the scratchier stuff hidden away. For the money, it’s very good.
The boot is great: wide and with a low sill, the cargo space is apparently big enough for a washing machine behind the rear seats. Luggage capacity is 485 litres for the hybrid and 545 for the combustion car, extending to 1580 and 1640 litres respectively with the rear seats folded – not quite as good as rival estates such as the Skoda Superb, but by no means paltry.
There are release handles in the boot to make flopping the seatbacks easy, but the Isofix child seat brackets are infuriatingly hard to access behind zips.
Before you buy
The C5 X Hybrid came in three trims: Sense Plus, Shine, and Shine Plus. All models get LED headlights, adaptive cruise, and a large central touchscreen. Shine adds a head-up display and more safety kit, while Shine Plus brings upgraded upholstery, powered tailgate and keyless entry.
Engine-wise, the Puretech 130 was the most popular choice for private buyers and its 10.1sec 0-62mph time certainly doesn’t look too shabby. On the road it needs working hard to haul this sizable Citroen up to speed with conviction, again not something that sits well with a supposed flagship.
We’d recommend upping your budget for the Puretech 180. A 0-62mph time of 8.8sec isn’t exactly rapid, yet the additional low-end grunt and greater power output means it doesn’t need working anywhere near as hard, helping maintain the calm. It’s also far happier whipping past slower traffic on A and B roads, handy if you come across a trundling tractor.
If you want something new and of a similar ethos, check out our Citroen C4 X review.
Verdict
The C5X is a breath of fresh air. It squarely nails its brief to offer a calming, spacious and supremely comfortable vehicle. And it’s keenly priced too. Citroen is one of the first car makers to show a credible vision for a post-SUV bodystyle, with some of its practical benefits but improved aerodynamic efficiency. If you like the sound of that blueprint, the C5X is absolutely worth a look. It has genuine X-factor.