The New Citroën C5 On The Road

4 months ago 19th Jul 12:43

Aiming the C5 at families, the spacious five seater offers plenty of room for five adults so will easily accommodate any children. Therefore Citroën have realised it needs to be practical so has added plenty of storage solutions from an illuminated glove box, cup holders and a centre console storage binnacle for the front occupants. Those in the rear have door pockets, front seatback pockets and if a third middle person is not required, a pull down armrest that doubles up with cup holders and covered storage. This also opens up as a ski hatch to easily load items (or children) into the vast 439 litres of boot complete with lashing eyes.

Citroën hope the C5 will also appeal to drivers who cloak up many miles therefore the C5 has to be safe place to be in. On the VTR+ there are seven airbags in total, driver, passenger, two front, two-curtain side window and one in the steering column. All five seats have seatbelts with pretensioners, adjustable head rests and there are three ISOFIX mountings for the children. Along with a stiffened body and cabin structure, Citroën are very proud to be renowned for producing safe cars and have been rewarded by five stars for adult protection in the Euro NCAP ratings, two stars for pedestrian and four stars for child protection.

Just in case the C5 comes with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, Emergency Braking Assistance, ABS and ESP all as standard. Securing the C5 is equally impressive. A high frequency remote central locking with high security locks and deadlocks, multi function plip remote control, a transponder immobiliser and anti theft alarm. As a result the 1.6 HDi VTR+ falls into insurance group 8E. Ah, music to my ears as normally you would expect to pay far higher premiums for a luxury car.

However it gets better in the money saving department thanks to the incredible fuel consumption from this 1566cc diesel engine that delivers 50.4 mpg on a combined cycle. Performance has not been hindered with a top speed of 119mph and taking a sedate 13.4 seconds to reach 62mph. Just be aware that once there, the C5 will carry on accelerating effortlessly and next thing you know you have hit over 80mph. So rein the C5 in. It could well be you have been daydreaming on what to buy with the money saved from this car. For CO2 emissions have been slashed to 149g/km meaning a group C road fund licence of just £120 per year and more savings are to be had as service intervals are at 12,500 miles.

The ride and handling is superb thanks to Citroën’s highly acclaimed Hydractive self levelling suspension system that adjusts itself continuously according to the road and driving conditions ensuring a smooth ride at all times. The steering is lovely courtesy of the speed sensitive power steering with only 2.95 turns lock to lock thereby conquering even the most minuscule of parking bays.

I have to say, I really enjoyed my week in the Citroën C5. Proud to be driving such a lovely looking vehicle, highly equipped, safe and extremely cost friendly, I decided there was only one thing for it. Retail therapy.

Femalefirst Motoring Reviews Jackie Violet

Back to page 1