THE CAR

Citroën C5 Aircross SUV Hybrid

The first road-trip essential is a large boot for all your gear; the second is a bit of help on scary gradients like the Burway. If you have to stop on a steep hill like this to let another car squeeze by, the C5’s Hill Start Assist gives you a few crucial seconds of hold while you move your foot from the brake to the accelerator, which makes the procedure less alarming. While a regular hybrid can only recharge while driving, and not enough to run without fuel, the battery on the Plug-in Hybrid (Citroën’s first) can be topped up at electric charging stations, as well as by regenerative braking. A full charge on the C5 will last about 50km of battery-only driving, with three driving modes: hybrid, electric and sport. An 8-inch touchscreen is your go-to for everything from music to parking sensors, and Lane Assist warns if you stray over the white line – handy after a long day on the road. • citroen.co.uk; zap-map.com shows all UK charging points. For travel information, see visitshropshire.co.uk