Citroën C5 X: first live look in Portugal

The only Citroën C5 X unit that has come through Portugal so far was one of the earliest cars to leave the production line. It belongs to the first batch of pre-production vehicles and is currently on a roadshow across eight European countries for an initial first look.

This time I still wasn’t able to drive it and assess its long-distance abilities, as you would traditionally expect from a large Citroën. Even so, this brief encounter did allow me to confirm other aspects of the French brand’s new flagship.

C5 X, the return of the big Citroën

The C5 X signals Citroën’s return to the D-segment, replacing the previous C5 (which ended production in 2017) and… tradition simply isn’t what it used to be.

With the new C5 X, the brand has moved away from the classic lines of other D-segment saloons and, to an extent, from the distinctive approach of Citroën’s large saloons of the past (such as the C6, XM or CX).

Although it takes cues from the bold CXperience concept from 2016, the C5 X follows its own route by blending several body styles in one shape. On one hand it remains a saloon, yet its two-box, five-door body with a sharply raked rear window places it somewhere between a saloon and an estate. Its increased ground clearance is also clearly an inheritance from the successful SUV wave.

From the first images I saw, the model already looked divisive, and seeing it in person hasn’t changed that view. The proportions and volumes are still unusual and challenging, and the graphic solutions used to define its identity at the front and rear - which we first saw on the C4 - are also far from universally agreed upon.

On the other hand, it is unlikely to be mistaken on the road for any of its potential rivals.

The segment has changed, so the car had to change too

This clear departure from the segment’s usual “recipe” is explained by how the segment itself has evolved in recent years.

In Europe, in 2020, SUVs were the best-selling body type in the D-segment with a 29.3% share, ahead of estates on 27.5% and traditional three-box saloons on 21.6%. In China, where the C5 X will be produced, the trend is even more pronounced: half of all segment sales are SUVs, followed by saloons with 18%, while estates have only a marginal presence (0.1%) - the Chinese market prefers the MPV format (10%).

The C5 X’s exterior design is presented as a response to this reality, as confirmed by Frédéric Angibaud, the C5 X’s exterior designer: "it must be a perfect combination of versatility, safety and aesthetics, while also taking environmental and economic aspects into account". The end result is positioned as a cross between a saloon, the everyday usefulness of an estate and the more desirable appearance of an SUV.

Big outside and in

This first in-person look also made it clear just how large the new C5 X is. Built on the EMP2 platform - the same architecture used by, for example, the Peugeot 508 - the C5 X measures 4.80 m in length, 1.865 m in width, 1.485 m in height, and has a 2.785 m wheelbase.

That makes the Citroën C5 X one of the largest offerings in the segment, and those dimensions are reflected in the cabin.

After sitting inside, both in the front and in the rear, it was obvious there is no shortage of space. Even passengers taller than 1.8 m should be very comfortable in the back, not only because of the room available but also thanks to the seats fitted.

Comfort will, in fact, be one of the C5 X’s main selling points, and even during this short static visit its Advanced Comfort seats stood out as a highlight. That comes from the two additional foam layers, each 15 mm thick, which promise to make long journeys feel effortless.

In keeping with the long-distance strengths of Citroën’s large cars from the past, it features suspension with progressive hydraulic cushions, and it can also be specified with variable damping suspension - Advanced Comfort Active Suspension - which will be available on certain versions.

More technology

Even though this was a pre-series car, the first impressions of the interior were positive, with solid assembly and materials that are generally pleasant to the touch.

The cabin also stands out for featuring a central touchscreen of up to 12 in (10 in as standard) for infotainment, paired with strong connectivity (wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay). Physical controls remain, including for the climate system, and they are notable for their reassuring, sturdy action in use.

Also noteworthy is the debut of an advanced HUD (Extended Head Up Display), capable of projecting information at a perceived distance of 4 m over an area equivalent to a 21 in screen, as well as the expanded driver assistance systems that enable semi-autonomous driving (level 2).

Hybrid, as it had to be

The Citroën C5 X in this first “meeting” was a range-topping version equipped with the plug-in hybrid powertrain, which is set to take the lead role once it reaches the market.

This isn’t entirely new, since we already know this system from many other Stellantis models - more specifically, other vehicles from the former Groupe PSA. It pairs the 1.6 PureTech petrol engine producing 180 hp with a 109 hp electric motor, for a combined maximum output of 225 hp. With a 12.4 kWh battery, it should deliver an electric range of more than 50 km.

For now it is the only hybrid option in the line-up, but it will be joined by other conventional engines, always petrol - the 1.2 PureTech with 130 hp and the 1.6 PureTech with 180 hp - with the C5 X doing without a diesel engine. And it also does without a manual gearbox. Every version is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission (EAT8, or ë-EAT8 in the case of the plug-in hybrid).

Now it’s a matter of waiting for the next real-world encounter with the new Citroën C5 X - this time with the chance to drive it. For the moment, prices for the new French flagship have not yet been announced.