It isn’t every day you get two new model lines launched at the same time.
That’s what Citroen has done with its new C5 Aircross SUV and the smaller, but deceptively roomy, C3 Aircross compact SUV.
We can interpret that as signalling to the buyer market that the French brand, after much effort, have the sort of product that people are buying in high volumes. Two most in-demand categories of car are the compact and medium-sized crossovers/SUVs.
And that’s exactly what Citroen say they are giving them. Two family crossovers and lineups with relevant ranges of powertrains – from full electric to petrol.
Price in this arena of compact SUVs is highly sensitive but these bear comparison, or dip below, the segments’ average.
The C5 Aircross costs from €39,300; the C3 Aircross from €27,790.
I also think the fact that both cars can take a third row of seating is something that will draw families’ attention.
For example, the price difference between the C3 Aircross 5-seater and 7-seater is small: €27,790 for the 5-seater and €28,990 for the 3-row 7-seater. The option of extra passenger-carrying capacity, even if only occasional, will tempt them.
However, with all five seats in use, the boot volume of 330-litres dips to just 40-litres in the seven-seat configuration.
The five-seater gets petrol, hybrid and electric powertrains; the seven-seater comes in petrol and hybrid.
C5 Aircross
Let’s look at the C5 Aircross in more detail. It tucks in, as I’ve said, at €39,300 and comes with battery electric (BEV), ‘mild’ 48-volt hybrid, and plug-in hybrid powertrains (later in the year).
It’s got strong, smooth lines aided by the more prominent use of the maker’s badge and nice touches of lights and lines across the front especially.
They claim record rear-seat space and I won’t challenge them after seeing the room allotted. A good thing about the car as a 5-seater, is that it retains that boot volume (651ltres) regardless of engine employed.
Citroen always make much of their Advanced Comfort seats and suspensions with progressive hydraulic cushions. I won’t say they transform the drive or handling-and-ride for me, but I think they do help make the car more comfortable and agile.
That’s how I felt after putting a ‘5’ through its paces.
The cabin is a good guide to see how the car stands up to scrutiny of rivals (Kia Sportage, VW Tiguan) and siblings (Peugeot 3008 in the Stellantis mega carmaker stable). The interior (in the 48-volt mild hybrid version we drove) was well up to segment standard, if not a bit above in some, with materials looking and feeling good.
They have, finally, got the digital interface display right – in this case their 13ins waterfall touchscreen which looked sharp and was straightforward to use.
Spec levels for the entry-level are strong (rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, dual zone air con and wireless smartphone charger). Nothing exceptional but solid inclusions nonetheless.
There are/will be two battery electric vehicles (BEVs): one has a 73kWh battery combined with a 210 hp motor and a claimed range of 520 km. It costs from €39,939.
There will be a 97kWh battery and 230hp motor version later which claims a potential range of 680 kms.
There are three driving modes: Normal, Eco and Sport. It can charge to 80 per cent from 20 per cent in 27 minutes. There is an 11 kW three-phase charger on board with the promise of an optional 22 kW three-phase bi-directional charger later in the year.
One of the cheekiest things Citroen say about a mild hybrid (from €39,300) is that with 48v technology you don’t have to plug it in. Ha! They never miss a chance to make a point. But a claimed 950km combined one-tank journey is out of the ordinary, I’ll grant you that. In town, the new Hybrid 145 can be driven up to 50 per cent of the time on electric power only. That sounds huge.
The plug-in is supposed to have 33per cent more range than before and can do 100km on EV alone – again that’s what WLTP says. It now has a larger 55-litre fuel tank which adds to the distance it can cover. The plug-in model arrives later in the year.
The STLA Medium platform on which this C5 is built permitted us plenty of headroom inside (68 mm increase in Row 2). The car is 1.66m tall, has a 2.78m wheelbase, 51 mm longer knee room at the back. And there is a bench seat as well as adjustable backrests fitted with foam. Rear backrests can be reclined between 21° and 33°..
Boot space of 651 litres remains the same regardless of powertrain. With the second row of seats folded you get a whopping 1,985 litres of space.
The so-called Sofa Design effect is a long dashboard, supposedly designed to remind you of home. Ahem! The lower part of the ensemble is covered in foam fabric. It looked alright but I’d worry about it in light colours.
There are, or will be, full electric powertrains, starting with a 210 hp motor combined with a 74-kWh battery giving a potential range of 520kms. It costs from €39,939; and a 230 hp motor paired with a 97-kWh battery and 680 km range due to arrive later.
You can choose between three driving modes and there is three-stage regenerative braking system. There is an 11 kW three-phase charger. With a 160 kW fast charger, 27 minutes can get you to 80 per cent full. The 48V hybrid uses the new-generation 1.2 PureTech engine developed specifically for hybrids.
Meanwhile plug-in hybrid technology has – they claim – 33per cent more range than the previous version with up 100km in town driving. It now as a 55-litre fuel tank, giving a potential 650 km overall.
Note that there is a 5-year unlimited mileage warranty and free home charger in partnership with Energia for electric and plug-in hybrid models.
There are three trim levels: YOU, PLUS and MAX.
‘YOU’ models have rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, dual zone air con, 13ins waterfall touchscreen, wireless smartphone charger, automatic LED headlamps, 18ins diamond-cut alloys on hybrid and 19ins diamond-cut alloys on electric models.
‘PLUS’ adds front and rear parking sensors, reversing camera, keyless entry and start, privacy glass, leather-effect and fabric upholstery.
Range topping MAX models have 360-deg vision parking assistance with front/rear camera and sensors, head-up display, matrix LED headlights, power tailgate, heated front seats, and a heat pump in electric models.
The C3 Aircross
Much of what adorns the C5 Airspace is used in one way or the other on the smaller car – which, by the way, is roomier than several rivals of similar dimensions (4.39m long).
Based on the Smart Car platform, which can accommodate a spread of internal combustion, hybrid and electric vehicles, it is easy to see how they generated space.
They also have included a 100 bhp turbo petrol engine in their line-up (from €27,790 for 5-seat and €28,990 for 7-seats). It will be interesting to see how the 6spd, manual 3-cyl PureTech Turbo 100 fares.
And there is another new powertrain in its Hybrid 136 guise (€29,390, 5-seat and €30,590 for 7 seats).
You know about the Advanced Comfort suspension, C-Zen Lounge architecture already. The head-up system is there but higher up the spec chart.
The latest generation 10.25ins infotainment and connectivity systems have been introduced.
As well as automatic air con, wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto, cruise control, rear parking sensors with reversing camera, and 17ins diamond-cut alloys are standard.
The range starts from €27,790 for the petrol manual 5-seater. The electric version of the 5-seater (€28,452) is powered by an 83 kW/113 bhp motor combined with a 54 kWh battery: WLTP range is 400km.
It was well-balanced and lively to drive, comfortable and quiet on all surfaces we drove over. And did I mention roomy? Two fair sized adults had plenty of room in the front.
And I’m a fan of that new small steering wheel.
Here again we meet the Citroen suspension and comfort seats.
A 15W wireless smartphone charger is integrated into a dedicated storage space in the centre console on MAX versions.
Back to the 7-seat attraction: A large rear door and easy-tilt seat backs in Row 2. That makes getting into the third row possible. And there are myriad ways you can mix passenger and luggage needs.
Just to be clear: You can get a 5-seater in petrol, hybrid and electric guise, and a 7-seater in petrol and hybrid.
First trim level is PLUS. It has automatic air con, 10.25ins touchscreen, wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto, cruise control, rear parking sensors with reversing camera, LED headlights, daytime running lights, and 17ins diamond-cut alloy wheels.
Second level, MAX adds 3D LED rear lights, white or black tinted roof, 3D navigation, wireless smartphone charging, heated acoustic windscreen, heated driver/passenger seats, front parking sensors.
