Citroen C5 X PHEV 225
Moderate extravagance
Citroen C5 X 225 PHEV
© press-inform – the press office
Citroen traditionally likes to go its own way, but the sister brand DS is now digging in almost identical territory with its French extravagance. Not an easy start for the new Citroen C5 X, the brand’s new flagship.
Because the Citroen C5 X appeals to the same customers as the DS9, which is also new and can even be had with a 360 hp all-wheel drive and even more luxurious equipment. The Citroen C5 X also relies on a plug-in hybrid drive for its top model, but does without the all-wheel drive, which is becoming increasingly important, and therefore has to make do with 165 kW / 225 hp. The 4.81 meter long Frenchman, whose body combines influences from sedans, station wagons and crossovers, is always well motorized. With the optional 7.4 kWh onboard charger, the battery pack recharges in two hours. Anyone who can or wants to do without the plug-in technology, electric range of around 60 kilometers and the corresponding tax breaks is also well served with the 132 kW / 180 hp four-cylinder petrol engine (from 40,930 euros). The basic variant with just 130 hp seems little befitting – that’s a good bit too little for a luxury class sedan.
It is therefore better to get into the Citroen C5 X Hybrid, which costs at least 44,980 euros and whose only 1.6 liter four-cylinder turbo is supported by a 110 hp electric motor. The bottom line is that this ensures a total output of 165 kW / 225 PS / 360 Nm, which packs a punch and, due to the lack of rear axle support, noticeably packs a punch on the front axle. The C5 X drives relaxed and quietly on country roads, motorways or through the city center. As long as the battery pack is strong, the four-cylinder turbo discreetly takes a back seat. If things go more dynamically, the cylinder quartet cannot hide the fact that the displacement is just a manageable 1.6 liters. At least prevent insulating glass and the generally good insulation that too much of the strained engine noise penetrates into the interior of the luxury sedan. The steering is very smooth, but precise enough and always suitable for the crossover sedan.
The Frenchman manages a narrow 60 kilometers purely electrically, whereby propulsion is then consistently realized from a 12.4 kWh battery pack in the underbody. If desired, it can go from a standing start to 100 km/h in 7.9 seconds and the top speed is 233 km/h, which is suitable for long-distance journeys. The front-wheel drive achieves a purely electric speed of 135 km/h. The standard consumption with a fully charged battery pack is 1.3 liters / 100 kilometers. The tank volume is narrow 40 liters. The eight-speed automatic works discreetly in the background, which fits in with the comfortable overall package of the C5X as well as the low noise level or the decidedly soft chassis tuning, which cannot be significantly influenced by the different driving programs.
How could it be otherwise for a Citroen, the C5 X is a casual cruiser with plenty of space inside and all kinds of travel amenities for the grand voyage. Even if the seating position could be lower, the seating comfort is good and the adjustment options of the air-conditioned leather chairs are extremely pleasant. When it comes to the instruments, the Citroen C5 X, like its brothers from other group brands, uses the well-known Stellantis electronic platform. The displays are easy to read and innovative enough that you don’t feel like you’re still driving in the old Citroen world. While the seven-inch display unit behind the wheel could be significantly larger, the wide 12-inch display in the center of the dashboard for navigation, sound system and additional functions, which can be operated by touch or voice, is particularly appealing. Thanks to the 2.79 meter long wheelbase, the space available in the rear is particularly generous. The 13 shelves offer 29 liters of storage space. As with some other brands, the front passenger seat can be moved forward from the rear. The seat heating for the rear seats and a separate rear climate control are not available. The rear seats can be folded down in a 40:60 ratio, which reduces the luggage compartment from 485 to 1,580 liters. Unfortunately, after folding, there is no level loading area. But the Citroen C5 X offers a lot for long journeys – especially as a 225 hp hybrid.