Citroen moves into SUV territory
Would you consider a French model over a Toyota or Mazda, asks David Linklater.
Citroen is a very mainstream brand in Europe, but it sits on the fringes in New Zealand. The French brand hopes its new C5 Aircross will get it more in the thick of things: it’s a medium-sized family SUV, which puts it into the single biggest-selling market segment in the country.
How is this different from all the other SUVs out there?
Good question; it’s a crowded SUV marketplace. For a start, this is a Citroen. That’s pretty different in New Zealand.
It’s not Citroen-weird, however: the French maker is conscious that this is a very mainstream model, so aside from some idiosyncratic styling detail (which we rather like) this is largely a conventional medium-sized SUV. Don’t be scared.
Where it might differ a little from the SUV status-quo is Citroen’s stated focus on comfort rather than sportiness.
It’s not just a marketing thing (although it is that too). Like the smaller C4 Cactus, the C5 Aircross has a new design of suspension called Progressive Hydraulic Cushion (PHC) that has extra tiny dampers at either end of the main dampers, meaning the movement is softened out significantly near the bump-stops.
The cabin also features what Citroen calls Advanced Comfort Seats, with high-density foam.
In fact, although the C5 Aircross is most definitely an SUV, a lot of the interior is derived from Citroen’s expertise in people movers. The rear seats are set high, theatre-style, and split into three sections that individually slide and fold.
The rear seat squabs also ‘‘kneel’’ when you fold the backrests, to give you a near-flat load floor.
The boot floor is heightadjustable, so you can have either a flat load-through or maximum space.
How much Citroen, how much Peugeot?
Peugeot-Citroen is of course one company, so there’s plenty of platform sharing going on.
The C5 Aircross shares its underpinnings and 1.6-litre engine with the Peugeot 3008 SUV. If you’re concerned about status, the factory considers Citroen to be a little lower in the pecking order than Peugeot – which means our flagship C5 Aircross Shine is cheaper than a 3008 GT-Line, but also a bit larger.
And quite a lot cooler if you ask us, but that’s a personal thing.
The C5 Aircross also gets one up on its 3008 sibling by having the PHC suspension and a new eightspeed transmission, whereas the the 3008 GT-Line sticks with six ratios (the top 3008 GT diesel gets eight cogs, however).
Inside, the Citroen has unique architecture – admittedly with more hard plastics than you’ll find in the sumptuous Peugeot, although the colours and textures are nicely upbeat. The C5 Aircross also uses the same electronic systems as the 3008, including its configurable digital instrument panel, futuristic-looking electronic gearlever and infotainment system.
Our test car was the top Shine, but you can also have a Feel for $10k less. Yes, they are both terrible names.
The step up to the Shine is worthwhile despite the big premium: you get the eight-speed gearbox, but also double-glazing for the front-side windows, more upmarket trim, wireless phone charging and dynamic upgrades like 19-inch wheels, parking assistance, higher-speed functionality for the autonomous braking (up to 140kmh) and adaptive cruise with stop-and-go.
What’s it like on tarmac – and off it?
The turbo-petrol engine is small-capacity but big on power, the C5 Aircross is family sized but actually quite light at 1430kg. So it’s a sprightly thing, especially when you factor in the eight-speed gearbox.
The transmission is better at constant-throttle and high-speed work than around town. However, it can hesitate and get caught up in staccato changes if you confuse it with a sudden change in throttle pressure.
The Citroen’s big dynamic selling point is the PHC suspension.
You might be disappointed if you’re expecting old-school-Citroen style ‘‘waft’’ around town.
The urban ride is fine, but the PHC does its best work at openroad speeds, where it improves body control and gives a nice fluid feel to the car’s ride and handling.
In terms of occupant comfort, those new seats really are good. They don’t look especially cushy from the outside, but once you sink into them they offer excellent support.
Off-road? This platform is frontdrive only, save a plug-in hybrid version of the 3008 that we might see next year.
However, off-tarmac driving is completely do-able with the ground clearance, and the Shine gets a Grip Control function that allows you to configure the powertrain and traction control for different surfaces. You might be surprised where it can go.
Are the comedy colours compulsory?
You don’t like them? Pops of colour are a Citroen thing, but if you want to be boring you can do that as well.
The detail trim on the bumpers, side mouldings and roof rails is called a ‘‘colour pack’’ and it’s actually just in silver on both the entry Feel and top Shine models.
But if you’ve gone for the flagship Shine you can also have the colour pack in red (as featured here) or white at no extra cost. Same goes for the black roof: nocost option on Shine.
Any other cars I should consider?
Putting aside the obvious Peugeot rival, which we’ve already discussed, we’re guessing you want a conventional mid-sized SUV with some real design flair.
For a really mainstream alternative there’s the Mazda CX-5, which is non-threatening but also quite arty.
Kia’s big-selling Sportage also goes big on style.
If you’re not afraid of being a bit different there’s the Seat Ateca. Or the safer (emotionally we mean) Skoda Karoq, which also leans heavily towards comfort and practicality.