Flagship Citroen C5 Aircross Now in South Africa
Citroen is back in South Africa with a bang following the launch of three new models this week. Among the three new models, one of them is the new Citroen C5 Aircross SUV. Here’s everything you need to know about it.
The futuristic styling of the C5 Aircross is refreshing to see. The signature modern Citroen look is incorporated all around the car, from its split LED headlights and extended logo bars to the AirBumps on the lower doors all the way to the bright roof rails on top. There are also other features that work together to give the C5 a much more imposing stance like the large wheels, high ground clearance and protective lower wheel arches. The pillars around the car are finished in gloss black to create a wrap-around floating roof effect that eliminates the perceived height of the SUV.
Inside you’ll find a sleek and modern interior that is rather functional. The rear seats, for example, can slide up to 15cm back and forth to maximise rear passenger room or boot capacity depending on what’s needed. If the regular 520-litres of boot capacity isn’t enough, you can slide the rear seats all the way forward to increase it to 720-litres. Alternatively you could fold the seats all the way down to bring the capacity all the way up to 1630-litres. The cabin is refreshed with the main priority being placed on technology and connectivity. The instrument cluster is replaced by a massive 12.3-inch screen to do the job, while an 8-inch touch screen handles infotainment at the centre of the dashboard just above an integrated wireless charger.
The Citroen C5 Aircross is powered by a turbocharged 1.6-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine that produces 121kW of power and 240Nm of torque, fitted to a 6-speed automatic transmission.
Pricing:
Citroen C5 Aircross Feel 1.6 THP 121kW Turbo Auto – R469 900
Citroen C5 Aircross Shine 1.6 THP 121kW Turbo Auto - R509 900
Prices include a 5-year/100,000km warranty and service plan.
Also worth a look: the New Citroën Aircross: Family-Friendly and Feature-Packed and the Citroen C3.
FAQ
Q: What does the Citroen C5 Aircross cost in South Africa?
The Citroen C5 Aircross starts at R469,900 for the Feel variant with the 1.6 THP turbo engine and 6-speed automatic transmission.
Q: Is the Citroen C5 Aircross worth buying?
The C5 Aircross offers solid value at R469,900 with its sliding rear seats, massive boot space up to 1,630 litres, and modern tech including a 12.3-inch digital cluster and wireless charging.
Q: How much boot space does the Citroen C5 Aircross have?
The C5 Aircross offers 520 litres of standard boot space, which expands to 720 litres with seats slid forward or a massive 1,630 litres with rear seats folded completely flat.
Q: What engine does the Citroen C5 Aircross use in South Africa?
The C5 Aircross comes with a turbocharged 1.6-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine producing 121kW of power and 240Nm of torque, mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission.
Q: What are the main features of the Citroen C5 Aircross?
Key features include sliding rear seats that move 15cm, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, 8-inch touchscreen, wireless charging, split LED headlights, and distinctive AirBumps on the doors.
Should You Buy It?
The best French SUV under R500,000 in SA is definitely the Citroen C5 Aircross at R469,900. With its clever sliding rear seats, enormous boot capacity, and genuinely useful tech like wireless charging, it's a proper family hauler that thinks outside the box. The 121kW turbo engine provides adequate grunt for SA conditions, and that floating roof design actually looks pretty slick on our roads. Sure, it's not the most powerful in its class, but the practicality and French flair make it worth considering if you want something different from the usual German suspects.
