The Citroën C5 X is an ORNI. Anchored in the family segment, it mixes genres to muddy the waters. Faced with it, the offers are often classic (Skoda Superb, VW Passat or Peugeot 508). However, given the path taken by Ford, the future may prove him right.
After the C4, Citroën stands out from the rest of the market with its new family sedan. The iconoclast C5 X is, in fact, unlike any other proposal. However, the car will inevitably be put in competition with other models with a more classic style.
Citroën C5 X: the family ORNI
At the 2016 Paris Motor Show, Citroën presented the C-XPerience concept, a dynamic and slender sedan which foreshadowed what would be the replacement for the family of the range. Three years later, the manufacturer unveils the C5 X … Between the two, the similarities are ultimately minimal: the light signature and a reduced stern. For the rest, this sedan, manufactured exclusively in China, stands out on the market, in particular because of its increased ground clearance. Citroën wanted to give a little “SUVisant” side that the concept did not have at all. This explains the X of the appellation. But this letter also reminds us of the brand’s past, in particular the CX and XM years… The car is positioned in their straight line with its hatchback silhouette. It displays dimensions close to those of the previous generation of C5: 4.80 m in length.
TO READ. The saga of Citroën large sedans: from the DS to the C5 X
On board, Citroën continues the trend seen on the C4 with a large touchscreen ranging from 10 to 12 inches. For meters, the C5 X has to make do with a 7-inch panel, which can be supplemented by a head-up display by data projection. The space offered to rear passengers is simply royal, especially with the backrests tilted at 27 degrees. And this is done without penalizing the volume of the trunk, which ranges from 545 to 1640 l, or more or less what the old C5 station wagon offered. In terms of engines, the C5 X will only run on gasoline: 100% thermal (1.2 PureTech 130 and 1.6 PureTech 180) or plug-in hybrid (225 hp). Prices range from € 32,900 to € 49,550.
Peugeot 508: the market benchmark
It is difficult to put this recent C5 X, high on its legs, in competition with the dynamic 508. Citroën and Peugeot offer two radically opposed offers, with on the one hand a sedan with a dynamic temperament and on the other a car with a more family vocation. . It is also on this point that the model with the rafters could score points. More livable and accessible, the C5 X could take advantage of the disadvantages of the 508. The fact remains that the lioness is available in sedan and station wagon with a more extensive range of engines including gasoline (130, 180 and 225 hp), diesel (130 hp) and rechargeable hybrid (225 hp) including one. sports version PSE (360 hp). Prices range from 35,950 to 67,650 € (minimum).
TO READ. Peugeot 508 PSE. Price, performance … everything about the sporty 508
Renault Talisman: the rival at the end of his career
The family sedan is clearly no longer popular in the ranges of French manufacturers. At Renault, there remains the Talisman. Arrived in 2015 on the market, it has never really found its audience. Very classic in its design, it recently received a new entry-level petrol offer (TCe 140). Its prices range from 34,800 to 52,900 € for the SW station wagon version. Point of plug-in hybrid version in the range and it is not about to arrive, since the Talisman will have no offspring. Consequently, it is offered by dealers at great prices.
Skoda Superb: the general offer
In addition to its quirky style, the Citroën C5 X can highlight a beautiful habitability for a general model. In this category, there is a ready-made rival: the Skoda Superb. The Czech sedan has based its reputation on its spaciousness and on an almost unbeatable price / equipment ratio. However, her style is much more conventional than that of the French. Slightly larger, it has a larger boot volume, ranging from 660 to 1,950 l. All with a tailgate.
Unlike the C5 X, the Superb is available as a sedan as well as a station wagon. Its prices range from 33,500 to 53,100 € due to an offer that extends up to 272 hp! This does not prevent it from being also very accessible with an offer starting at 150 hp in gasoline and 120 hp in diesel. In addition, the Superb is available as a plug-in hybrid (218 hp).
Volkswagen Passat: premium access
It is impossible to speak of a family sedan without mentioning the benchmark of the segment. The Passat is THE best-selling family sedan in Europe: 113,149 units were sold on the Old Continent in 2020, more than the small T-Cross. Very classic in its presentation, the Passat is available in gasoline (TSI 150 and 190 hp), diesel (TDI 150 hp) and plug-in hybrid (218 hp). Its prices range from € 34,030 to € 51,990. It is undoubtedly the version which comes closest to the high-end models. Available in two body styles, like most offers in this market, it could lose one during its renewal scheduled for 2023. Only the station wagon will survive.
Ford Mondeo Evos: the same quirky spirit
In the spirit, it is the perfect competitor. The future replacement of the Mondeo will adopt a design hardly less original than that of the Citroën. Inspired by the Chinese Evos, it will mix like the C5 X the genres between SUV, sedan and coupe. As if China dictates the design of our future sedans …
A premium rival?
With a family sedan of this standing, Citroën intends to demonstrate that a general practitioner can have ambitions. Moreover, the brand’s discourse on the choice of interior materials, in particular the 3D textured wood or the black lacquered elements, seems to show a high-end path. However, it will be difficult for the original C5 X to find a place among the very classic German sedans. BMW has tried to shake up the habits of the segment with its 3 Series GT, with more than mixed success.
TO READ. Family sedans. Wanting to reinvent them is rarely a success
