Citroen is on a roll with electrification, implementing both hybrid and fully electric powertrains across many of the vehicles in its range. One of the latest to benefit from a battery-assisted setup is the C5 Aircross, the firm’s largest SUV.
Kitted out with an efficient plug-in hybrid powertrain, this C5 Aircoss could prove to be a great choice for drivers who do lots of urban drivers or those who want reduced running costs through lower fuel usage. It’s got a lot to offer, so let’s dive in a find out what you need to know about the C5 Aircross PHEV.
It combines petrol and electric power
As you might have guessed, the Citroen C5 Aircross PHEV combines petrol and electric power. To start with, it has a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine which is linked to an 80kW electric motor and battery. Power is sent to the front wheels through an eight-speed automatic gearbox and Citroen claims that it’ll manage the 0-60mph sprint in 8.5 seconds.
But the real focus here is efficiency. A 13.2kWh battery means that the C5 Aircross can travel for up to 40 miles on electric power alone, with a full charge via a 7kW home charger taking around two hours. Combined, Citroen says that you could see up to 222mpg with the battery fully charged and when travelling on mainly electric power.
It’s still got loads of space
Practicality is one of the main draws to the C5 Aircross and it’s one of the main reasons why so many families are drawn toward this model. Fortunately, things are kept much the same for this hybrid version. There are still plenty of cubbies and storage compartments in the cabin, meaning that it shouldn’t be too hard to keep it clutter-free.
It is worth remembering, however, that because of the fitment of the battery the boot size does shrink compared with the standard model, falling from 580 litres to 460 litres. That said, it’s still a useful size and is easy to access. The hybrid also retains the sliding rear seats of the standard petrol and diesel models.
There’s plenty of equipment as standard
Given that the C5 Aircross is one of Citroen’s more expensive models, it won’t come as much of a surprise that it’s got loads of standard equipment. The standard ‘Shine’ model receives 18-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry and start and a 12.3-inch infotainment display which both looks really good and is easy to operate, too.
You could upgrade to Shine Plus, too, which brings added luxuries such as 19-inch alloy wheels an electric boot and additional safety assistance systems.
Comfort levels are still top-notch
Citroen has always had a real reputation for making uber-comfortable cars and the C5 Aircross PHEV is no different. It features the firm’s ‘Advanced Comfort’ seats, which incorporate additional foam padding to really take the backache out of longer journeys. We’ve seen them work well in other Citroen cars and that’s definitely the case here too.
Elsewhere, Citroen has fitted a new multi-arm suspension setup which means that though some other hybrids can struggle with a brittle ride caused by the extra weight of the batteries, the C5 Aircross is still really comfortable.
It’s recently been updated
The Citroen C5 Aircross has been on sale since 2018 and in that time, more than a quarter of a million examples have been shifted worldwide. Now Citroen wants to keep that momentum going with a refreshed version, which brings an updated design and a slightly tweaked interior.
These changes apply to the plug-in hybrid, too, and introduce a new driver’s display that helps t to give the cabin an even more futuristic feel.
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