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Citroën C5 Aircross in detail

That the new Citroën C5 Aircross carries a hint of wine culture in it immediately betrays its origins. This SUV breathes French life. A mix of comfort, charm and smart solutions to make life as comfortable as possible. La joie de vivre, you might say. Think an interior that feels like a living room. And, of course, a chassis that turns bumps in the road into ripples on a lake. In terms of engines, too, there is plenty to choose from – electric, hybrid or a bit of both.

Powerful design and smart aerodynamics

The new Citroën C5 Aircross stands firmly on its wheels. Thanks to Stellantis’ STLA Medium platform, the C5 Aircross has a scalable base that lends itself to a variety of powertrains. The base is shared with similar SUVs from the Stellantis group, such as the Opel Grandland and Peugeot 3008. However, Citroën would not be Citroën if it had its own distinct design. As such, we see many similarities to the Citroën C5 Aircross Concept. The new C5 Aircross has a modern design language, which makes for a muscular and sleek design. The front end looks broad and powerful, with the new Citroën logo proudly in the center and an elegant three-point light signature.

Aerodynamics

Aerodynamics also received a lot of attention. A low roofline and smart air guides provide less drag as well as extra range, especially in the electric version. It comes down to an extra 30 km of range. The dimensions have also increased, now measuring 4.65 meters in length. The wheelbase is of 2.78 meters, which is 60 mm more than its predecessor. This is not a recipe for a ratatouille, but for plenty of interior space. The generous luggage space of up to 1,668 liters is retained and can be cleverly divided with the familiar 40:20:40 ratio. To return to applied wine grapevines for a moment, a total of 40 liters of interior space is provided by the storage compartments.

Lounge feeling in the Citroën C5 Aircross

Once you get in, you notice it immediately. The Citroën C5 Aircross is designed like a living room on wheels. The dashboard looks like a stylish piece of furniture, with soft fabrics and a warm atmosphere thanks to Ambient Lighting in eight colors. Also new is the Waterfall touchscreen. This is the largest touchscreen we have ever seen in a Citroën. You use it to control everything from climate and navigation to integrating your smartphone. Some functions have a fixed place on the screen, which is pleasant for operation and ensures that you do not “drown” in complicated menus.

As a driver, you are also equipped with digital instrument panel and optional head-up display. Not to mention the most important factor in comfort, the seats. The so-called Advanced Comfort seats feel almost like a luxury armchair, with options like heating, ventilation and even massage in higher trims. The rear is also a treat, with generous legroom. Headroom is also in order, and 68 mm more than in the previous generation C5 Aircross. The optional panoramic roof provides a bright and open atmosphere.

Completely to your liking: hybrid, plug-in hybrid or electric

Citroën is offering the new C5 Aircross with an all-new engine lineup, with electrification taking center stage. There is now a choice of a hybrid, a plug-in hybrid and an all-electric ë-C5 Aircross. Compared to the previous generation, performance has been improved, the electric driving range has increased significantly and driving comfort has been further refined. We list the variants for you.

Citroën C5 Aircross HYBRID 145: accessible and economical

The first step toward electric driving offers the new C5 Aircross HYBRID 145. This version uses 48V technology, with a compact 0.9 kWh battery. There is smart switching between gasoline and electric motor, without having to charge the car. The electric motor has its own power of 9 kW (12 hp, and can peak to 28 hp) supports the gasoline engine (100 kW, i.e. 136 hp) especially at low speeds and in city traffic. Up to 50 percent of the time, this C5 Aircross drives fully electric in city traffic. The new 1.2 three-cylinder turbo engine has been specially developed for hybrid applications and is mated to a six-speed eDCS automatic dual-clutch transmission. Result: smoother gear changes, more driving pleasure and an average of 15% lower fuel consumption.

Citroën C5 Aircross Plug-in HYBRID 195: greater electric range

The C5 Aircross Plug-in HYBRID 195 offers the best of both worlds. You can have electric driving in the city and a long range for long distances. The combination of a 1.6-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine and a powerful electric motor provides a total power output of 195 hp. Battery capacity has grown significantly, from 13.2 kWh to 21 kWh. As a result, this C5 Aircross can now average 86 km of electric driving according to WLTP, and more than 100 km in city traffic. Très bien!

Compared to the previous generation plug-in hybrid, the range has thus increased by as much as 33%. The larger fuel tank, now 55 liters, also ensures that the total driving distance has increased significantly: up to 650 km on the highway.

Citroën ë-C5 Aircross: all-electric, up to 680 km range

For the first time, Citroën is also offering the C5 Aircross as an all-electric variant. And that immediately with two different versions:

• Citroën ë-C5 Aircross 210 Standard Range: 157 kW (210 hp) electric motor and 73 kWh battery, good for 520 km range (WLTP).
• Citroën ë-C5 Aircross 230 High Range: 170 kW (230 hp) electric motor and a 97 kWh battery, getting you up to 680 km far on one charge.

Oui oui, those are serious distances. In terms of charging times, the ë-C5 Aircross is also at the top of the segment. As standard, it is equipped with an 11 kW three-phase charger. From 2026, an optional 22 kW three-phase on-board charger with bi-directional charging is also available. This offers you the possibility of extra fast charging at home. Specifically, this means 160 km range in just ten minutes. The charging times of the standard on-board charger are also very useful:

• Citroën ë-C5 Aircross 210 Standard Range: 6 hours and 45 minutes on a 7.4 kW single-phase wallbox, 4 hours and 30 minutes on an 11 kW three-phase wallbox, 30 minutes on a 160 kW ultra fast charger.
• Citroën ë-C5 Aircross 230 Long Range: 8 hours and 55 minutes on a 7.4 kW single-phase wallbox, 6 hours and 30 minutes on an 11 kW three-phase wallbox, 27 minutes on a 160 kW ultra fast charger.

Smart extras for even more driving pleasure

From next year, versions of the ë-C5 Aircross with the 11 kW or 22 kW three-phase on-board charger with bi-directional charging function will be able to use V2L (Vehicle-to-Load) technology. This is convenient, because then your ë-C5 Aircross can thus supply power to external devices in places where there is no fixed network. Think about charging your laptop or a small refrigerator for when you decide to go on a picnic. After all, it’s nice to be able to cool your brie, right?

All electric powertrains are coupled with regenerative braking, where you can choose the degree of energy recovery via shift paddles behind the steering wheel. All-electric versions are optionally available with a heat pump, which provides more efficient heating and thus extra range in cold conditions.

A French car made in … France

The Citroën C5 Aircross is built in France, with great attention to sustainability. The seat upholstery is made of recycled fabrics, and hardly any chrome has been used. In addition to wine grape vines, the car contains 47 kilograms of recycled or bio-based plastic and 160 kilograms of recycled metal. Even the batteries are partially produced locally, further reducing the carbon footprint.

When will the new Citroën C5 Aircross arrive?

Sales of the new Citroën C5 Aircross will start in the second half of 2025 in major European countries. With its comfortable character, updated technology and durable materials, this SUV seems poised to once again receive high praise.