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In Exclusive form the C5 boasts a memorable array of equipment including a cruise control, traction control, six-CD autochanger, Trafficmaster Oracle warning system (very useful), electrically adjustable front seats, front-and-rear parking assistance, headlamp washer jets and other items too numerous to mention . . . except that I will mention the facility whereby the headlamps follow the direction of the front wheels, which is so brilliant that it almost makes me forgive them for switching on at times that the car decides they are needed (even if you disagree).

All this is covered in the basic £21,195, but that's just the beginning of the story. The test car was tricked out with metallic paint, a lane departure warning system, leather upholstery and an excellent NaviDrive pack (including satellite navigation displayed on a colour screen and a phone), which send the price shooting up to £24,620. Well, you could buy any one of several Jaguars for that. Admittedly, you couldn't buy a Jaguar that would carry as much luggage as the Citroen did, or transport four full-scale adults in quite such comfort. But still. A Jaguar. I mean to say.

There's a slight sense that Citroen is trying to punch above its natural weight here. The C5 is reasonably luxurious, at least in this specification, but that luxury is added to the car in the form of all the extra equipment. It does not feel inherent to the basic C5. And a manufacturer which regularly produced cars in this price range would be unlikely to have made the mistake of designing the central display screen in such a way that the top row of figures (including such useful information as the time and outside temperature) can't be seen by a driver taller than six feet unless he or she bends down and sideways to bring them into vision.

I was able to live with that kind of thing during the test because I knew it was a temporary situation. Whether or not I'd be willing to accept it if I'd had to write out a cheque for nearly £25,000 is something else entirely, even though the high equipment levels and impressive interior space would certainly tempt me.

Price: £21,195
Capacity: 1997cc
Power: 138bhp
0-62mph: 10.0 seconds
Maximum speed: 124mph
Economy: 56.5mpg extra urban, 47.1mpg combined
CO2 emissions: 158g/km
Insurance: Group 10
Towing capacity: 1400kg braked
Citroen figures.

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