The C5 Aircross is Citroën’s large SUV. It is also the cousin of the very popular Peugeot 3008. In an attempt to bring its model out of the shadows, the manufacturer has carried out a restyling, the first since 2018. On the menu: less curves, more marked lines and new equipment.
The compact SUV segment is on the rise more than ever. In France, over the year 2021, a model has carved out the lion’s share: it is the Peugeot 3008 with 50,399 units sold. It occupies seventh place in sales when its cousin the Citroën C5 Aircross, with which it nevertheless shares its platform and its mechanics, is in seventeenth position. The herringbone SUV is half as successful as its rival. So, at the dawn of 2022, Citroën is finally giving it a little makeover, the first since its launch in Europe in 2018. Will it be enough to attract customers? Let’s see this in detail.
A redesigned front
If the C5 Aircross does not make its revolution, the changes are however clearly visible on the SUV. The manufacturer has modified the entire front part of the fighter by erasing its characteristic curves until then. Citroën wanted affirm a more statutory, modern and dynamic personality by playing with more structured lines. The grille thus gains in verticality. The optical units, which benefit from a new design, have been darkened to give more depth to the look. Their unique light signature – made up of two thin strips – contributes to making the vehicle visually wider.
In the center of the front face, the chevrons are more spaced out and now lacquered in black. They are no longer connected to the optics by a chrome bar, this giving way to a fine chiseled band. Finally, the lower part of the shield benefits from two larger air intakes, including the one located above the location of the license plate. On either side of the latter, the side scoops are getting bigger. Now open, they play a real aerodynamic role. The protective ski, also redesigned, is more visible and qualitative. It is available in black or chrome depending on the finish selected.
A new light signature on the back
On the stern side, the main novelty is to the credit of the lights. If the general shape remains ovoid, the whole takes on relief and appears clearly more sculpted. The light signature also evolves, revealing three-dimensional rectangular shapes. A design which contributes to placing the vehicle more firmly on its wheels. From a dimension point of view, Citroën has not changed anything. The C5 Aircross still benefits from a ground clearance of 230 mm. It culminates at 1.67 m high for 1.84 m wide and measures 4.50 m long. On the sides, we find the Airbumps that the manufacturer dresses with new colored strapping. Speaking of color, a new Eclipse blue tint has been added to the catalog. What to change from the current white, gray and black offered. To complete its look, the SUV with chevrons can now fit 18-inch diamond-cut two-tone rims (Pulsar).
A more modern interior and more comfortable seats…again!
In the passenger compartment, Citroën has redesigned the dashboard, where a new 10-inch touch screen – common with the C4 – takes place on versions equipped with the navigation function. In this configuration, the slab is then no longer surrounded by aerators. The latter, whose design is now rectangular, find refuge just below the tablet. Direct access to certain features such as the air conditioning or the car radio are still offered. This makes it easier to use in the long run. The other novelty is at the level of the central console.
On the versions with automatic transmission (EAT8), which now represent 80 to 85% of sales, the “cobra” gear lever disappears in favor of a tilting gearbox control. The same as in the C4 and 308. This change, which contributes to ergonomics, also makes the atmosphere more refined and provides an additional liter of storage (24 l in total on board).
An unchanged range of engines
Under the hood, Citroën has changed nothing. The SUV still benefits from a gasoline (PureTech) and a diesel (BlueHDi) of 130 hp each, which team up with the six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission.
A single plug-in hybrid version, with 225 hp, completes the trio. This variant, which offers a range of 55 km in all-electric mode, allows the C5 Aircross to be eligible for an ecological bonus of €1,000 until June 30 (0 € thereafter). It should be noted that this engine is experiencing strong interest. It now represents 36 to 37% of sales in France, while diesel is losing ground (42% of the mix in 2021, compared to 56% in 2020).
Slight increase in prices
In the financial chapter, Citroën has not yet unveiled the range and should do so by the end of the month. According to information gleaned during the presentation of the restyled SUV, prices should increase slightly. Because on January 4 the car had already seen its prices rise by 700 €. Now count 27,350 € minimum to acquire the SUV in thermal version and 41,250 € to own the PHEV model. The C5 Aircross remains less expensive than its cousin the Peugeot 3008 while offering almost similar services: less dynamism, more comfort! The marketing of the restyled SUV should take place at the end of the first quarter.
TO READ. Citroen C5 Aircross (2022). SUV price increase before restyling
Citroën C5 Aircross review
The Citroën C5 Aircross has lost its joviality. It attenuates what made it different to better blend into the mold and appeal to customers eager for products with a more assertive design. Just look at the commercial success of the 3008! In addition, the positioning of the Citroën SUV – straddling a 3008 and a 5008 (7 seats) – may make some buyers hesitate since, as mentioned above, the habitability is not the strong point of this model. In contrast, it remains a reference in terms of comfort and has once again proven it to us during this static presentation. There remains a challenge for the Chevrons: to find a clever idea so that the second generation of the C5 Aircross – planned for 2025 and still assembled in France (in Rennes) – dethrones its cousin.