Verdict

It’s clear that our C5 X has divided opinion throughout the workforce. I’ll fortunately persist with my weapons, although. I charge the consolation, ease of driving and, for probably the most half, the abundance of security options and tech in our giant Citroen; a few of the infotainment is overly complicated, although. It’s good to see the economic system determine enhance after some lengthy motorway journeys, too. 

• Mileage: 4,670
• Economic system: 41.3mpg

It’s no secret that many Auto Categorical employees started predominantly working from residence after the 2020 pandemic. One main draw back of that is our lack of the workplace automobile park. Beforehand, we might simply seize keys from the lockbox, to take out
and check something from our long-term fleet. In an effort to redress this stability, we’ve arrange Testing Tuesdays, once we group producer vehicles together with long-term mortgage autos in order that the broader workforce can leap behind the wheels and get a really feel for the fashions that we cowl week in, week out.

The newest occasion grouped Stellantis vehicles, together with a number of Citroens. On-line critiques editor Ellis Hyde borrowed the flagship C5 X I normally run to attend the occasion and get second opinions from the workforce. The suggestions is attention-grabbing – and it’s truthful to say that we differ in a few of our ideas.

Ellis Hyde – on-line critiques editor

After protecting almost 200 miles within the C5 X, my largest gripe (of a number of) is the overly keen start-stop. The system appeared to chop the engine earlier than I even got here to an entire cease, which brought on it to really feel just like the automobile was stalling consistently. What’s extra, sporadically shutting off the motor prevented me from slipping into gaps in visitors, or rapidly exiting junctions, whereas I attempted to flee Croydon in rush hour.

I think the impatient stop-start was additionally the reason for the C5 X having what can solely be described as a disaster lower than a mile after I picked up the automobile, utterly shutting down and flashing a warning that ‘handbook restart’ was required. After all, with out an ignition key to show, all I might do was sit in the midst of the highway furiously urgent the engine-start button till the Citroen determined to work once more.

Pete Baiden – net producer

Whenever you first see the C5 X, it definitely makes an impression – however I’m unsure it stands out in a optimistic approach. The styling isn’t fairly proper. The designers have completed a great job with the entrance, nevertheless it’s nearly like they ran out of time with the rear.

Alternatively, that bulbous again finish means there’s house for a large 545-litre baggage space – which is sort of as huge as some property vehicles in the marketplace simply now. And that’s becoming, as a result of I at present run a Peugeot 308 SW on the fleet, and it’s beautiful. The truth is, it appears each new mannequin coming from Citroen’s French rival is nice to take a look at as of late. If I had to decide on between the 2 Stellantis manufacturers, there could be just one winner.

Jordan Katsianis – senior employees author

The C5 X’s eccentric proportions liberate a variety of house, with loads of leg and headroom. Regardless of the comparatively low roofline and darkish trim, the cabin is ethereal as a result of dipped windowline – but I can’t assist however really feel that Citroen’s flagship might go even additional. Possibly introducing progressive supplies or extra-special options would lure extra consumers into this already summary household automobile, creating extra of a bridge to these basic Citroen fashions the C5 X tries so onerous to reference.

Darren Wilson – artistic director

I’m a giant fan of our giant Citroen. I discover it comfy, luxurious and, not like Ellis, simple from behind the wheel. Possibly it merely comes all the way down to differing driving kinds, however I’ve by no means had a difficulty with stop-start or issues in visitors. The truth is, studying these feedback, I questioned if I’d been driving a special automobile. 

Maybe extra worrying is that I’m getting previous, prioritising consolation over pleasure as of late. Searching for one other opinion, I requested my 18-year-old son Harry for his view. He instructed me how a lot he appreciated the Citroen’s appears and rear-seat consolation. He rated the latter pretty much as good as something we’ve ever examined as a household working long-term check vehicles.

One draw back to lending out the C5 X was getting it again with modifications to the head-up show and dial readouts. It wasn’t simple understanding the best way to change them again to my most popular configuration. Personally, I just like the map-route readout away from the head- up show and immediately in entrance of me, on the dial settings together with the digital speedo.

I lastly resorted to a Google search and producer video to reset them; it turned out that I needed to maintain my finger on the touchscreen till a menu got here up, permitting me to drop and drag completely different readouts. It wasn’t apparent – and that might be one grievance in regards to the infotainment system.

The sat-nav is blissfully easy, however there’s layer upon layer of settings and screens. It’s all a bit complicated. I had different points establishing a special driver profile for my spouse, and syncing telephones. The system defaulted into French (and kilometres) on each events. I’ve acquired it now, nevertheless it required some analysis and endurance.

I’ve managed to get some first rate journeys underneath my belt, together with a really early begin heading to a photoshoot. This weary (however nonetheless protected) motorist discovered the driving-assist security tech to be a welcome back-up.

Nonetheless, by day’s finish I used to be so exhausted I wanted to sleep earlier than making an attempt a return journey. Fortunately the C5 X’s comfy entrance seat reclines nearly horizontally, and so I used to be capable of lie nearly flat and seize a few hours’ relaxation earlier than safely heading residence. Aside from having fun with the sound system, heated wheel and seats, the fantastic thing about longer regular motorway journeys is a lift to gas effectivity. The C5 X is at present averaging 41.4mpg, with the final fill-up returning a wholesome 47.3mpg. Not dangerous in any respect!

Citroen C5 X Shine: second report

C5 X impresses on lengthy journey up the A1, however gas economic system takes a success

• Mileage: 3,391
• Economic system: 32.2mpg

After almost three months testing our Citroen C5 X, it’s truthful to say that I’m nonetheless smitten. The truth is, my preliminary draft of this report sounded so optimistic that it learn like I’d switched into automobile gross sales. That was till I did some last-minute MPG quantity crunching.

In my first report I’d principally been driving round South London whereas having fun with the head-turning hatchback’s heat, enveloping inside. With a shocking degree of consolation and luggage of tech to play with, all was good. Nonetheless, I wanted to get away and add in some correct motorway mileage.

That likelihood got here with a visit up north to go to some universities with my youngest son Harry and spouse Daybreak. We additionally deliberate to go to Harry’s grandparents in Lincolnshire. 

Motorway driving proved much more heat and soothing than city motoring. These super-comfy electrically adjustable heated leather-based seats (a £1,600 Hype Black Atmosphere choice) actually take the burden off. 

The C5 X appears designed to try this throughout all elements of driving. The adaptive cruise management is simple to function from the buttons on the steering wheel and provides clear readings within the head-up show (together with pace, speed-limit indicators and lane help). The automobile adjusted place to the automobile in entrance, slowing and dashing as much as my set pace. I’d have eaten up a lot of the journey utilizing cruise management, however we don’t dwell in France and drivers on our packed UK roads appear incapable of overtaking and sustaining pace or simply transferring from the center lane, which makes it redundant a lot of the time.

Our journey was a effectively trodden common route up the A1, so I made a decision to spice it up by throwing the sat-nav a mid-trip curveball by taking us off throughout to the east onto some smaller A-roads. It rapidly picked up a route, choosing some surprisingly small lanes. We had been additionally given the chance to change from our present route (clearly marked in blue) to various green-coloured detours that promised to shave off a couple of minutes of travelling time right here and there. 

Merely following a inexperienced route switched it to the ‘new’ blue route. Some detours concerned altering to roads working parallel to current routes simply to keep away from traffic-light junctions. I’m by no means in that a lot of a rush, in order that novelty rapidly wore off.

Different useful know-how value noting consists of the wi-fi cellphone charger and connection to Apple CarPlay. I like listening to my music playlists by way of the Citroen’s cracking audio system.

Harry additionally charges the rear-seat consolation and legroom. He’s six toes, two inches tall, however nonetheless has first rate headroom regardless of the actual fact the C5 X has fairly a raking roofline. He’s comfortable sufficient with the 2 USB-C altering factors within the again and may wirelessly play his personal music to combine up the atmosphere.

One huge factor the Citroen has going for it’s curb enchantment. It appears completely different and turns heads, and each Harry’s grandparents commented on the automobile throughout our go to.

The whole lot sounds nice till we totted up the current economic system determine, which was a disappointing 32.2 mpg. A few occasions I’ve been shocked by how rapidly the petrol appears to have disappeared after the gauge dips under half full. The sprint shows the vary, however it will probably go from 150 miles all the way down to lower than 100 in only a few quick city journeys. 

I dwell in a hilly a part of London and do many quick journeys in visitors, nevertheless it’s not like I’ve been blasting round in Sport mode. The C5 X primarily sits within the Eco drive setting, so the 1.2-litre engine ought to be doing higher.

One factor that’s nice about south London is testing security tech. Individuals are at all times strolling out in entrance of you. The C5 X has superior driver-assistance methods, similar to radar-controlled lively security brake. This has enhanced pedestrian and bike owner pick-up and works at night time. It additionally has forward-collision warning and lane-keep help, and all of those options have kicked in sooner or later.

The brake warnings are barely delicate, however not too intrusive, and the braking system has prevented a doable shunt at low pace.

The rear-view digital camera has parking guides and encompass sensors to make it simple to slot in the tightest of areas. It offers an overhead view of the C5 X’s place that ought to assist save the 19-inch alloys from being kerbed, whereas the sensors make it nearly not possible to reverse into something.

The newest journey was a vacation airport run. The automobile was easy to load, with a number of room for our small circumstances and an additional baby’s automobile seat. There’s no huge lip to carry objects over and the rails make sliding in weighty luggage that bit simpler. The C5 X actually got here into its personal on the journey again from our break. It was actually joyful to get into the automobile after an extended early-morning flight with youngsters and toddlers. It was easy to drive residence, cocooned in consolation to our beds.

Citroen C5 X Shine: first report

Cprevious snap and cozy cabin imply we’ve rapidly warmed to our Citroen C5 X

• Mileage: 2,525
• Economic system: 41.4mpg

The final time I acquired behind the wheel of a Citroen, it was our e-Berlingo again in June 2022. It took some time for that boxy electrical MPV to win me over, though it did. This time it’s been love at first sight, although.

The C5 X immediately stands out. It appears completely different and, for my part, beautiful and smooth, with a number of swooping traces and nice incorporation of the basic chevron design into the entrance lights. The bizarre form hints at each saloon and property fashions, wanting sporty with out being aggressive. I’m unsure which angle I like finest, nevertheless it’s truthful to say the automobile has head-turning enchantment.

The within is equally inviting after which enveloping. I took supply of our C5 X Shine PureTech proper in the beginning of the pre- Christmas chilly snap, and inside days the automobile was lined in frozen snow. As a fast experiment I dismissed the highest layer of powdered snow then timed how lengthy it took to defrost the automobile to a degree of visibility protected to drive. Utilizing the heated rear windscreen and local weather management (no ice scraping) it took simply six minutes, and in that point I used to be capable of fireplace up the heated steering wheel to heat my frozen fingers.

Fortunately for me, the C5 X has additionally been specified with the Hype Black Atmosphere (£1,600) choice. This options heated leather-based entrance seats, together with reminiscence settings for the driving force seat, and wood-effect dashboard trim. The latter appears good sufficient, however the seats are the following degree in consolation, with soft-padded assist and electrical adjustment. I’m discovering the reminiscence setting could be very useful, too, with a 30cm top distinction between my spouse and me.

One-touch seat settings would possibly sound a bit pointless and coming from a six-month spell in our Dacia Jogger fleet automobile into this degree of consolation is considerably mind-blowing. To be truthful, the Jogger was nearly half the worth of our C5 X £31,740 OTR check automobile. However that doesn’t imply the usual value of £29,290 is pricey for this degree of consolation or refinement. Our instance is clearly extra inexpensive than the plug-in hybrid model, which might set you again an additional £10,000.

The automobile is filled with a great deal of know-how as normal. The screens are crystal clear, with a head-up show giving pace data by way of a road-sign image plus digital readout, with choices to make use of the cruise-control settings. The Citroen additionally has a seven-inch digital dashboard that can provide sat-nav instructions. The 12-inch touchscreen infotainment system mounted on prime of the sprint is big and spectacular, however extra complicated than anticipated.

I needed to watch the Auto Categorical C5 X check video on-line to find that swiping was the way in which to alter the radio stations and I’m nonetheless working my approach by way of the capabilities. To be truthful, although, it does include an on-screen system information.

I’ve used the sat-nav just a few occasions and it’s great and intuitive, with instructions on each screens so you’ll be able to’t go flawed. It additionally exhibits the worth of petrol at gas stations en route, plus purple and amber traces to focus on the visitors forward. Lots of the audio sounds within the Citroen are effectively thought out, too. The indicator tick and pace digital camera warning alerts are calming, and even the sat-nav’s voice route has a relaxed tone.

One rush-hour journey throughout London turned out to be very chilled. The cabin’s heat and luxury mixed with the straightforward route directions and clean trip to gradual every part down, together with my coronary heart charge.

I discover the Citroen glides alongside, regardless of this petrol-powered C5 X not getting the identical lively suspension set-up as plug-in fashions. That tech scans the highway forward and adjusts the dampers to swimsuit the floor.

Our Citroen comes with a 1.2 litre three-cylinder engine that has loads of energy for city. It has a beautiful tone and doubtless hints at extra efficiency than it truly delivers, however I have to get it out onto some quicker open roads to get that data, together with some non-urban mpg figures. A visit up north to see household in Lincolnshire will quickly will assist fill in these gaps.

*Insurance coverage quote from AA (0800 107 0680) for a 42-year-old in Banbury, Oxon, with three factors.