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2023 Citroen C5 Aircross Review: Floating on a cloud

Lionel Kong
06/01/2023
Citroen C5 Aircross in Singapore

The updated Citroen C5 Aircross is still the same familiar urban SUV, but with a new face


2023 Citroen C5 Aircross

Launched: January 2023, Price S$153,999 with COE (January 2023)
Five-door, midsize SUV, five seats
129hp, 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine, VES A2 4.9L/100km


PROS

Comfortable and smooth ride

Form-fitting seats

CONS

Feels underpowered when fully loaded

Not a car that rewards enthusiastic driving


SINGAPORE

On the hunt for a new car that has to be an SUV, is reasonably big, is very efficient on fuel, and also a continental brand if possible? French brand Citroen has the answer for you in the form of its newly refreshed C5 Aircross.

Citroen C5 Aircross in Singapore

After a couple of supply chain related delays worldwide, the facelifted C5 Aircross has arrived in Singapore as the first new car that CarBuyer Singapore is reviewing for 2023, and the big news is, it’s actually almost the same car as the last version of the C5 Aircross from 2022, but with new cosmetic bits and bobs for 2023.

Citroen C5 Aircross in Singapore

That’s not a bad thing though, as the car has kept all the good qualities of the older model but wrapped it in a slightly more angular, less cheery bubbly sheet metal design. It’s most visible from the front end, with a more upride nose and slimmer front intake grille.

Citroen C5 Aircross in Singapore

The engine is still the tried-and-true 1.2-litre, three-cylinder turbo engine from before, with a maximum power output of 129hp that just keeps the car in the lower priced Category A COE bracket. This same engine can also be found across a range of cars from the Stellantis Group, including the Peugeot 5008.

Citroen C5 Aircross in Singapore

There’s a reasonably big change in the cabin though, with a mostly new dashboard that borrows some styling cues from the smaller Citroen C4 from 2022 as well. The gear selector lever has been binned in favour of a small selector switch, once again a component shared with current Stellantis Group models including the electric cars, Opel Mokka-e and Peugeot e-2008.

It’s a decently tidy and well-planned out cabin, with storage spaces for all you little items everywhere.

Citroen C5 Aircross backseat in Singapore

The seats are also of a new design, made with various combinations of foam densities that really do add a lot to the experience of riding around comfortably in the C5. It’s not on the same level of comfort as the legendary seats of a Lexus RX, but for this price bracket they really punch well above their weight. Plus, the rear bench has individually adjustable seats across the whole row.

Citroen C5 Aircross boot in Singapore

Interior room is as you would expect for an urban SUV of this size and the roomy boot is great for hauling stuff around easily. 



Citroens have never really had a reputation for building dynamic urban vehicles, and the C5 Aircross is much the same. The progressive suspension dampers fitted to the car do give the car a steady composure over imperfect road surfaces, and it was the same for the previous-gen car but on the whole, but the ride quality is comfortable and wafty rather than sharp and dynamic.

Citroen C5 Aircross in Singapore

It’s not very quick either, and when fully loaded with five adults it’s best to plan your moves rather than try to dart into small gaps in traffic. You do get great efficiency with the small turbo engine however, with a realistic fuel economy of around 5.5l/100km totally achievable.

Citroen C5 Aircross dashboard in Singapore

The medium family SUV space is a very popular segment in Singapore, but high COE prices have made it a space where buyers are always looking for more value for money. The Citroen C5 Aircross is roomy and comfortable, and the Peugeot 5008 is the car’s direct competitor. However the smaller, but larger engined Kia Niro Hybrid is arguably better specified and targets a similar audience. Yet, as a comfortable family car, the C5 Aircross does have a lot going for it too and at a slightly cheaper price of entry.

Citroen C5 Aircross in Singapore




Citroen C5 Aircross

Drivetrain TypePetrol engine
Engine1,199cc, online 3, turbocharged
Power129hp at 5500rpm
Torque230Nm at 1750rpm
Gearbox8-speed automatic
0-100km/h10.3 seconds 
Top Speed188km/h
Fuel Efficiency4.9L/100km
VES Band / modifierA2 / – $15,000
AgentCycle & Carriage
PriceS$153,999 with COE and VES
AvailabilityNow
Verdict The same comfortable family driving experience, wrapped in a new skin

Tags:

c5 aircross Citroen SUV

About the Author

Lionel Kong

An old hand from the bad old days of crazy COEs, the straight-shooting, ex-CarBuyer editor is back in the four-wheeled world. Rumours that he went to another country to start a Judas Priest tribute band are unfounded.

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