Citroen C5 Aircross, Track Test

The Citroën C5 not only marks the entry of one of the oldest carmakers in the world into the Indian market but also brings a breath of fresh air into the overcrowded SUV space. Now, if you’re an enthusiast who follows the European car scene, you wouldn’t be surprised by the C5’s styling, which I would characterise as typically French. What does that mean? Well, to be honest, it means that the design of the C5 – both inside and out – is unconventional and completely unique.

For instance, look at the basic design of the C5 – instead of being butch and in your face, it’s rounded and has balanced proportions. The 18-inch wheels fill the arches nicely, and frankly, it looks more like a crossover than a true-blue SUV, which is no bad thing. In a world of SUVs trying to outdo each other by looking as aggressive as possible, the C5 comes across as a product that is confident in its own design language and doesn’t need to follow market trends.

Now, comfort is another underlying aspect of the C5 – the idea that all occupants should travel in utmost comfort seems to be quite prominent in the car’s design brief. Right from the seats and the space inside to the ride quality, the C5 simply excels at offering comfort to its occupants.

In terms of driving experience, given its 400Nm of torque from the 2.0-litre diesel engine, it is a breeze to drive, both in traffic and on fast, open highways. Sure, on the track, the C5’s preoccupation with comfort results in a slower lap time. Plus, it doesn’t like to be hustled, and why would it, if its primary focus is to offer comfort to its occupants and not exhibit its off-road or on-track abilities? And with its high ride height, impressive interior space, and very large boot, the C5 is, without a doubt, an impressively practical car.

The chink in the C5’s armour is its pricing. Given that it demands a significant premium over its competitors, it loses valuable points in the value-for-money category, which results in an overall low score – it’s a shame really, for it’s a very capable product that deserves the attention of Indian customers.

Read more: 

Citroen C5 Aircross vs Skoda Superb: Comparison
 

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