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Citroen models, news & reviews
4
Handling
Performance
Usability
3
Feelgood factor
Readers' rating
3.5
By Georg Kacher
First Drives
11 February 2008 09:28
Citroen caused a stir when it unveiled the new C5. This is a class where Renault admits to making the Laguna purposively conservative. Where Citroen’s sister company Peugeot makes the middle-of-the-road 407. So when the covers came off the C5 we were impressed. And so were CAR readers, who've on the whole praised the new look.
Is Citroen finally on a roll? Can it really fix the shabby interior quality, creaking build quality and lacklustre driving experience that's held back previous models? We've driven the new model and now have the answers...
Head-swivellingly good. The swept-back headlights mirror the fog lights. The sharp crease running the length of the car’s flanks might mirror BMW’s style, but it helps to bring character to the Citroen’s sides.
As ever, you need big 18-inch wheels to stop the car looking dumpy. But we can forgive it that, and the fussiness around the grille because of two things. Like the C6, the C5 has a concave rear window (very cool), and a glasshouse that extends past the C-pillars. The former shows Citroen hasn’t quite abandoned its heritage just yet, while the latter makes the car look long, low and lithe.
Its platform for one. The C5 uses the same platform that also underpins the C6, the Peugeot 607 and all the 407 variants. Compared to a C6, the C5’s wheelbase drops 80mm to 2820mm. But the new car is still nearly as big as a BMW 5-series (4780mm plays 4841mm). Make no mistake, this Mondeo class is now perilously large.
Thankfully what it doesn’t do is drive like a C6. We loved the cosseting nature of our big French barge when we ran one for a year, but it wasn’t exactly a driver’s car. When rivals like the Mondeo are frankly brilliant to drive, the C5 can’t afford to drive like its predecessor.
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Citroen C5 2.0 HDi (2008) CAR review
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domRuston says
RE: Citroen C5 2.0 HDi (2008) CAR review
As a nearly-new purchase this car offers MASSIVE value. I've just bought an 09 C5 2.0 HDi with 18k on the clock for a mere £11,500 - the price of a three year old Golf of average spec. It's not sporty, no, but that's not what I want in a car - I want an effortless, comfortable, cossetting driving experience, and the C5 ticks all those boxes. It also looks stunning. Not as stunning as my Benelli Tornado but for a mid-size modern sallon I think it is very good looking. Build quality from the PSA Group seems to have genuinely improved in recent years so let's hope it still solid feels in five year's time. Am a little concerned about all the gadgetry on the Exclusive model - more electronics typically equates to more trouble over time, but I am happy to take the risk at this price: there is genuinely nothing out there that I would rather see on my driveway... Good work Citroen!!
As a nearly-new purchase this car offers MASSIVE value. I've just bought an 09 C5 2.0 HDi with 18k on the clock for a mere £11,500 - the price of a three year old Golf of average spec. It's not sporty, no, but that's not what I want in a car - I want an effortless, comfortable, cossetting driving experience, and the C5 ticks all those boxes.
It also looks stunning. Not as stunning as my Benelli Tornado but for a mid-size modern sallon I think it is very good looking. Build quality from the PSA Group seems to have genuinely improved in recent years so let's hope it still solid feels in five year's time. Am a little concerned about all the gadgetry on the Exclusive model - more electronics typically equates to more trouble over time, but I am happy to take the risk at this price: there is genuinely nothing out there that I would rather see on my driveway...
Good work Citroen!!
31 August 2010 14:35
cattleman45 says
RE: Citroen C5 2.0 HDi CAR review
This car actually uses the same engines as the Ford Mondeo, Peugeot and certain engines are shared with Jaguar. The Citroen C5 definitely gets my vote.
22 March 2009 00:26
This car has just won "The Semprit Irish Car of the Year"Award. It is designed by Domagoj Dukec(I looked him up on Google and watched a video). He worked for 3 years at Audi. Whenever I see this car(particularly in a shiny black charcoal colour),it is the best looking car on the road. I found it very comfortable to sit in (I really like the front seats). I would say that quality wise this new car will be very good.
31 January 2009 12:29
paulkeeling says
Better than the old C5
I've owned a C5 in the past and changed to a merc. I've now got a (second hand)C6 and have got to say that the C6 seems better built (after 6 months ownership) than the C Class. If anything I think the new C5 is prettier than the C6 and if the build quality is anywhere near as good it will be a class act.
06 March 2008 17:09
Peter B says
Gorgeous
This car looks fantastic. I have always wanted a Citroen but have been put off by the poor quality and depreciation. Still, there is something elegant and 'off centre' about them and this I like. The new C6 is just so unique. I hope this C5 is improved in terms of quality and reliability, but I will wait to see. I really cannot understand all of the praise being heaped on the Mondeo. I test drove two of these cars and thought them to be bloated to the point of being cumbersome, the dash was fussy (the glovebox door feels very cheap and flimsy), the exterior colours are awful and, all but the biggest of the alloy wheel options look way too small. The C5 looks way better and I was also more impressed with the Laguna than the Mondeo.
03 March 2008 04:31
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