[Test Drive] 'The Essence of French Sensibility' Citro?n C5 Aircross

Satisfying Driving Performance with Unique Design
"More Comfortable than a Sedan" SUV Ride Quality Also Passes

New C5 Aircross SUV (Photo by Citro?n)

New C5 Aircross SUV (Photo by Citro?n)

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] When talking about imported cars, the first brands that come to mind are undoubtedly German. Due to the many prominent brands, they boast overwhelming presence in terms of experience and sales volume. However, amidst the dominance of German cars, there are other European brands that showcase their charm with unique sensibilities. Citro?n, embodying French comfort and practicality, is one of them. On the 30th of last month, I test-drove the compact SUV 'C5 Aircross' and personally experienced the French sensibility embedded in the vehicle.

The exterior of the C5 Aircross is quite distinctive. It harmonizes the boldness of an SUV with Citro?n’s unique personality, creating a presence wherever it goes. The front end features rounded corners that avoid sharpness, giving a soft and rounded impression. The central double chevron emblem extends into the daytime running lights, making the front appear wider.

The body measures 4500 mm in length, 1840 mm in width, and 1690 mm in height, making it relatively large among compact SUVs. The test vehicle featured a white color base with red accents added in various places, emphasizing a lively and playful feel rather than heaviness despite its large size.

The interior design, like the exterior, actively uses Citro?n’s signature rounded rectangles. The air conditioning vents, door trims, and even the seat patterns are rectangular. Although the interior could have appeared rigid, Citro?n cleverly balanced leather and fabric materials to maintain a sense of luxury.

The most noticeable feature in the second-row space is the seat configuration. Unlike typical vehicles where the middle seat is narrower and the side seats are wider, the C5 Aircross has three seats of equal size. The seats can fold, slide, and adjust angles independently, which is expected to be positively received in terms of versatility. However, since the rear seats are divided into thirds, each seat may feel somewhat narrow for adults. The trunk has a basic capacity of 580 liters, which can be expanded up to 1630 liters by fully folding the second-row seats.

New C5 Aircross SUV (Photo by Citro?n)

New C5 Aircross SUV (Photo by Citro?n)

The C5 Aircross is equipped with either a 1.5L or 2.0L diesel engine paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The vehicle with the 2.0L diesel engine delivers a maximum output of 177 horsepower and a peak torque of 40.8 kg·m. On the road, the car impresses with a lively yet not overly light feel. Pressing the accelerator pedal results in smooth acceleration without any dullness. The official fuel efficiency of the C5 Aircross is 12.7 km/L. However, after driving approximately 60 km on mixed urban and highway roads, the actual fuel efficiency recorded was higher at 15.2 km/L.

The C5 Aircross was developed with the goal of being an ‘SUV more comfortable than a sedan.’ This naturally raised expectations for ride comfort and quietness even before driving. After the test drive, the conclusion was that it offers a higher level of comfort compared to domestic and international SUVs in the same class. Citro?n newly applied Progressive Hydraulic Cushions suspension in this vehicle. Two hydraulic cushions added above and below the dampers absorb road vibrations. Specifically, the hydraulic cushions absorb and dissipate the energy from impacts, minimizing rebound. The Advanced Comfort seats also enhance comfort. A 15 mm thick high-density foam wraps around another high-density foam in the seat center, creating a comfortable ride. This allowed for a smooth drive over bumps and unpaved roads without discomfort.

The driving assistance system offers up to 19 features. It includes Level 2 autonomous driving systems such as adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality, active lane departure prevention, and lane centering assistance.

The price of the C5 Aircross is 39.9 million KRW for the 1.5 Feel trim, 42.5 million KRW for the 1.5 Shine trim, 47.9 million KRW for the 2.0 Shine trim, and 49.9 million KRW for the 2.0 Shine Napa Pack trim.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.