Driving dynamics
Overall, the acceleration is impressively urgent, especially when you’re in a hurry, but you’ll pay a penalty at the pumps if you’re an impatient driver. We couldn’t match the manufacturer’s fuel consumption claim, getting to the office and back home just before the national lockdown and registering low nines on the trip computer.
Leave the auto box to make up its tin mind mid-nines is achievable when you feather the throttle. Despite being a little slow to shift when you pull on one of the paddles, the transmission is silky smooth.
Citroëns have always been revered for their ride quality and the C5 Aircross is no different. It uses what the company calls progressive hydraulic cushions on the shock absorbers in all four corners that help keep the suspension supple when you’re on the rough stuff. That, combined with the chunky 55 profile 18” tyres, means you won’t put out your back on the bumpiest of gravel roads.
But the suspension system does its best work on tarmac, where it smoothens road imperfections and dips with aplomb. The soft setup does mean that there’s considerable amount of body roll, when braking and cornering a little harder than usual, which doesn’t help when the steering is light enough to take a turn using just your fingers. Drive sensibly, though, and the C5 Aircross cossets you and your loved ones.
Innovative interior
Inside, the C5 Aircross feels roomier than its contemporaries thanks to a massive panoramic roof, split into two sections, with the front being a tilt-and-slide sunroof. If the African sun gets too much for you, then you can always slide the electric sunshade forward, which dims the interior somewhat.
There’s a mix of soft touch surfaces and harder panels but overall the tactile quality is impressive. The brushed metallic and gloss black trim contrast the cabin’s two-tone grey finish and even the seats are two tone in colour and fabric – they’re comfy and offer good support.
Of course, it’s not as straightforward as that, and you’ll notice the lack of button clutter. This is because you control the ventilation, audio and vehicle information systems from the 8” touch screen that takes pride of place centre facia, save for the audio volume, windscreen demister, air recirculation, rear demister, ventilation off and vehicle door lock switches.
Sliding into the driver’s seat, you’ll also notice that there’s 12