The C5 Aircross received a mid-life update just two years after its Indian debut. It also has a premium of almost Rs 3 lakh over its predecessor. Is it wise to spend that much on a French SUV?
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2022 Citroen C5 Aircross: First Drive Review
The Citroen C5 Aircross was only in India for a little more than a year. However, the carmaker felt it was time to make a mid-life upgrade to the SUV. The SUV's new facelift has seen its price rise by nearly Rs 3 lakh and is now available in one fully loaded Shine trim. It is now in the same segment as giants such as the MG Gloster or Toyota Fortuner.
Is it worth the extra premium and upgrade or should you stick with the French model? We can help you determine.
As Amazing As It Gets
Citroen C5 Aircross is a unique SUV
Citroen C5 Aircross is a unique SUV that turns heads. This is due to its unusual and unheard-of design cues. Citroen has made a few tweaks to the SUV's exterior design, mainly in relation to the front fascia.
2022 Citroen C5 Aircross is now without split LED headlights. Instead, it has a more traditional-looking arrangement that houses the dual LED DRLs. There are also two chrome-studded lines that connect the LED DRLs to the double chevron logo. The grille is finished in gloss black. It is given a mildly repainted bumper, with a new skid plate as well as larger air dams.
The SUV's profile is the same as the prefacelift model, except for the new 18-inch dual-tone alloy wheels which look more stylish than the older set. The C5 Aircross still features the chunky black body with trapezoidal elements, roof rails, and a C-shaped chrome window beltline.
The rear is unchanged as the SUV still sports the Citroen logo, and the 'C5 Aircross’ badge. Only one significant change is the addition of new LED elements to the taillights. Citroen offers the C5 Aircross with four monochromatic options (Pearl Nera Black (Pearl White), Eclipse Blue (Cumulus Grey)) as well as three dual-tone (with black roof) options.
Citroen reserved the majority
Citroen reserved the majority of the interior updates for the C5 Aircross. First, the dashboard has been updated to include a 10-inch touchscreen. The carmaker had to modify the central AC vents, which are now placed horizontally beneath the infotainment unit in order to integrate the display. A few keys are located above the wireless charging pad, which has a tactile feel.
Citroen has corrected an ergonomic issue that the prefacelift model suffered from (its cabin was more oriented towards left hand drive markets), by moving the revised shifter closer to the driver, but the push-button stop/start switch remains in the same spot. The SUV's interior is practical enough with cup holders, a front center armrest with deep storage and two USB sockets. There is also a central console compartment to store your small items.
While the cabin's black theme continues, it features soft-touch material throughout the dashboard and centre console as well as door pads. The dashboard and door handles now have contrast blue stitching. This adds a premium, up-market touch to the SUV's black interior. The upholstery has lost its squarish design, but the AC vents on the sides are now divided into two squares. So is the steering wheel.
The C5 Aircross's upholstery remains a strong point, even today. Citroen claims that the seats have been made more comfortable by 15%.
The power-adjustable
The front and rear seats are contoured and well padded, making them comfortable to sit on. The power-adjustable driver's seat makes it easy to find the right driving position. This feature is not available on the passenger side. The new C5 Aircross continues the tradition of the pre-facelift. It offers good knee room and plenty of headroom, shoulder and shoulder room. Individual sliding seats are available in the rear row. They can recline or fold down just like before. Even on longer trips, it shouldn't be difficult to seat three people with similar body measurements in the second row.
The SUV's boot space has not been reduced with the mid-life upgrade. The C5 Aircross has the same 580-litre load space as the standard model. It can hold 720 litres if the second row slides forward, and 1,630 litres when folded down. This is enough space to carry all your weekend's luggage.
Hi Tech Wizardry
The new touchscreen system, measuring 10 inches in size, was one of the major updates to the facelift. The display is sharp and easy to read, but it takes a while to load the task. Citroen has added touch-enabled shortcut keys to the AC vents, which Citroen considers the best way to access the most important functions. The touchscreen supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, but not wirelessly.
The C5 Aircross has been updated with features like a panoramic sunroof and wireless phone charger. It also comes equipped with a 12.3-inch digital driver’s display, dual zone climate control, and an electric tailgate. Push-button start/stop and auto-headlights, wipers, cruise, push-button stop, cruise control, powered driver seat, and six-speaker sound system are just a few of the other equipment. Citroen doesn't offer the ventilated front seats or connected car tech. It also doesn't have a memory function for drivers and a 360-degree cam.
We've got you covered
The C5 Aircross comes with the most important safety features, including six airbags and electronic stability programme (ESP), an electric parking brake, hill-start and descent control, and traction controller. Citroen also updated the SUV to include driver drowsiness detection, reversing, and front cameras.
Diesel Power for The Win
Citroen will continue to use the 2-litre diesel engine despite the mid-life upgrade. This is in contrast to its competitors, which offer a petrol engine option ( Jeep Compass), VW Tiguan and Hyundai Hyundai Tucson ). It has a maximum output of 177 PS and 400Nm. The engine is coupled to an eight-speed torque converter auto, which transfers power to the front wheels.
The power delivery is very linear and you can hear the engine note at higher revs. This is not the case with most oil burners. The C5 is very easy to use in the city. Although the steering is heavy, it's not an issue in traffic.
C5 Aircross's
You will appreciate the C5 Aircross's capabilities on the highway. It can reach speeds of up to triple-digits without much effort, making the SUV a pleasant mile-muncher. The SUV's gearshifts are perfectly timed, preventing it from shifting into an unneeded gear. This almost eliminates the need for paddle shifters. Citroen also provided it with traction control (standard and all-terrain-mud and sand), and drive modes (Eco, Sport, and Sport). However, we weren't able to test them much.
Designed for Indian Roads
C5 Aircross's progressive hydraulic suspension system is what makes it so special. It protects the occupants against most of the uneven patches or undulations of asphalt. You will feel some motion inside the cabin at slower speeds.
Citroen ensures that the cabin is noise-free and has conducted extensive research regarding the SUV's NVH levels. This has been done by installing double-laminated front windows. The C5 Aircross is comfortable on the highway and the steering wheel gives you a solid feeling that instills confidence at high speeds.
Take
the facelift
With the facelift, the Citroen C5 Aircross has remained true to its roots: a family-oriented SUV. It excels in comfort, ride quality, luggage capacity, and can also seat three adults at the back like no other.
When you compare it to other models, you will see its flaws like the absence of a petrol engine or 4x4 option, lack of wow features and high asking price. The C5 Aircross is not the most fun-to-drive SUV. The C5 Aircross is a mid-size SUV that has a European aesthetic, a powerful diesel engine, and comfort at its highest priority.