Citroen C5 Aircross gives you wings
Published on 25th February 2026 at 07:28
Brace yourselves - Citroën all-new C5 Aircross starts from €39,300 for the
Petrol/Hybrid 48v. This second-generation C5 Aircross enters the ultra-competitive
C-SUV segment, against established tenants who fight their ground with savage
unforgiveness.
Peruse some of its rivals and it’s easy to see how sales won in this segment are
achieved after a major battle; Toyota RAV4, Ford Explorer, Skoda Enyaq, VWW ID4,
Peugeot 3008, KIA Sportage, KIA EV5, Dacia Bigster, Renault Scenic, Nissan
Qashqai, VW Tiguan, Ford Kuga.
First Impressions
Wearing the new Citroën logo at its centre, Citroën's new 3-point light signature is
interpreted here with particularly slender horizontal light strips while Citroën Matrix
LED headlamps are linked by a discreet gloss black strip. On the electric version, the
front section is completely enclosed to optimise aerodynamic drag and contribute to
greater fuel efficiency. From the side, the roofline slopes slightly after row 2,
optimising aerodynamics while preserving the volume of the passenger compartment
in a clear statement of the new C5 Aircross's family vocation.
Air deflectors and inlets have been integrated into various parts of the vehicle to
further optimise its aerodynamic performance. The characteristic 3-point light
signature known as Light Wings are prevalent on the car, with the two exterior light
points detached from the moulding and give the appearance of fins on each side of
the vehicle, very distinctive.
All the players in this segment sit in the vicinity of being 4.5 metres in length, the
favoured size for the urban family and the commuter buyer. The C5 Aircross stands
at 4.652mm, is 1,688mm tall and 1.902mm in width. Boot space is 651 litres, which
can be enlarged to 1,985 litres with the rear seats folded – all of which denotes a car
that offers space, evident in that available in row two.
Inside Story
Sit in and the immediate impression is positive, the flat-bottomed steering wheel,
driver console, Head-up Display and large, easy-to-use central, waterfall
touchscreen, all combine to deliver a comprehensive ownership experience that
heretofore was solely the terrain of the premium segment. The seats, back and front
welcome you like a long-lost relative and certainly provided great comfort on my
250km test drive
Trim Levels
Three trim levels are on the C3 Aircross menu, YOU, PLUS and MAX.
YOU models kick off the range with:
Rear parking sensors
Adaptive cruise control
Dual zone air conditioning
13” waterfall touchscreen
Wireless smartphone charger
Automatic LED headlamps
18-inch diamond-cut alloys on Hybrid - 19-inch diamond-cut alloys on
Electric models.
Those choosing PLUS, get;
Front and rear parking sensors
Reversing camera
Keyless entry and start
Privacy glass
Metropolitan Blue ambiance with leather-effect and fabric upholstery and 8
colour ambient lighting.
Go for the MAX version and you add;
360 vision parking assistance with front and rear camera and sensors
Head-up Display projected on the windscreen
Matrix LED headlights
Power tailgate with hands-free access
Heated front seats
Heated steering wheel
Hype Blue ambiance with 8-way adjustability
Memory function driver seat
Heat pump in electric models.
My test car at launch was in MAX trim, and as with all variants, comes with a 10"
digital instrument cluster, complemented by an extended Head-Up Display, a large-
scale colour display projected on the windscreen.
Propulsion Choice
New owners of the C5 Aircross get a choice of several electrified powertrains to suit
different needs, more than 100 km in electric mode in the plug-in hybrid version for
everyday journeys in town, up to 680 km (WLTP) in the electric version, and more
than 950 km in the hybrid version (WLTP).
The new ë-C5 Aircross is available with two 100% electric powertrains, a 210 bhp
motor combined with a 73-kWh battery offering a range of 520 km WLTP from
€39,939 and a 230 bhp motor paired with a 97-kWh battery offering 680 km WLTP
due to arrive later in 2026.
Three Driving Modes
The driver can choose between three driving modes – Normal, Eco and Sport. A
three-stage regenerative braking system optimises the use of the car's kinetic energy
to recharge the battery. Using the paddles behind the steering wheel, the driver can
select one of three levels of deceleration force. New Citroën ë-C5 Aircross offers
segment-leading charging performance. It is fitted as standard with an 11 kW three-
phase charger, and from 2026 will be able to receive an optional 22 kW three-phase
bi-directional charger for ultra-fast charging. From a 160kW fast charger, ë-C5
Aircross can charge in just 27 minutes.
Starting at €39,300, Hybrid 48V technology, with a generous range of more than
950km combined WLTP. In town, the new C5 Aircross Hybrid 145 can be driven up
to 50% of the time in electric mode. For those who wish to take advantage of Plug-In
Hybrid technology, the new C5 Aircross is taken to the next level, offering 33% more
range than the previous C5 Aircross with over 100 km available in town. Its large 55-
litre fuel tank, an increase of 28% - New C5 Aircross delivers a total range of 650 km
with motorway driving. Plug-In Hybrid models are due to arrive later in 2026.
On the Road
A short, 250km, test drive in the new C5 Aircross wasn’t enough to provide a full
account of its economy, but was certainly enough to leave me with a positive
aftertaste on Citroen’s offering in this competitive segment.
In Hybrid format, the C5 Aircross drives very well and with three adult males on
board for half my journey, showed no deficiencies, whilst cradling us in great
comfort.
Last Word
Anyone shopping in this segment definitely needs to include the C5 Aircross on their
test drive list as mentioned above. I don’t think any other segment has the rivalry and
talent as available in this C-SUV category, so devoting time to properly evaluate your
driveway choice is not just recommended, it is compulsory.
New C5 Aircross and ë-C5 Aircross are now available to test-drive at local Citroën
dealerships nationwide with a 5-year unlimited mileage warranty, 3 year’s roadside
assistance and free home charger in partnership with Energia for electric and plug-in
hybrid models.
