The new Citroën C5 Aircross is bigger and better, yet it’s also cheaper and now comes with a first-ever 100% electric version, which we’ve already driven.
Since 2018, Citroën has sold more than half a million C5 Aircross units, and plenty of them will still be doing sterling service as the “family car” today. Now, though, it’s time to meet the second generation of the brand’s SUV.
From the outgoing model, only the name carries over. There’s a fresh platform (STLA Medium), a completely new look - even the brand badge has changed - and there’s a brand-new all-electric model for the first time: the ë-C5 Aircross, which I drove in Mallorca.
The version I tested pairs a 73 kWh (usable) battery with a 157 kW (213 cv) motor, within a package claiming a maximum range between 498 km and 520 km (WLTP).
New styling, improved aerodynamics and greater efficiency
Even in the hotel car park, the new Citroën ë-C5 Aircross is unmistakably a Citroën, despite breaking entirely with its predecessor. It looks more planted on the road, more sporting, and its surfacing and lines are noticeably more sophisticated. Matrix LED headlights and the new three-point light signature also help deliver a fresher, more up-to-date presence.
In terms of dimensions, it may appear more compact at first glance, but the new Citroën C5 Aircross is actually significantly larger than before. It’s wider and longer, and matches the previous car’s height - measured at the top of the roof bars (1,691 m). Less obvious are the gains in wheelbase (to 2,784 m) and the increased track width (front and rear). Ground clearance stays close to 20 cm.
Interior with a technology-led focus
If the exterior already signals a clear step forward for the new Citroën C5 Aircross, the cabin changes are even more dramatic. Leaving aside the brand’s interior buzzwords, it only took sitting in the driver’s seat to realise that Citroën’s largest SUV has moved on considerably.
The headline feature is, without question, the new 13” vertical touchscreen, which the brand calls the “waterfall screen”. It’s a grand name for a straightforward idea, but it genuinely looks as if it floats from the dashboard down towards the centre console between the seats. It’s also positioned within easy reach and houses the vast majority of system functions and settings, while feeling smooth to operate and quick to respond to touch.
In front of the driver there’s a compact steering wheel - though not as small as Peugeot’s - and a fully digital instrument display with a configurable layout. On certain screens, you can monitor the system’s energy management in real time and refine consumption through your driving.
On the Business test car, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are both wireless, and there’s also 3D navigation, voice control supported by ChatGPT artificial intelligence, and ambient lighting with eight selectable colours.
Interior with an emphasis on space and comfort
The cabin feels welcoming and is well assembled, although some materials still leave room for improvement. Even so, comfort is the real highlight. If that was already a key strength of the previous Citroën C5 Aircross, the new model makes it even more apparent.
It’s no exaggeration to say the Advanced Comfort seats are among the best in the segment: broad, generously padded and offering electric adjustment, heating, ventilation and even a massage function. I’d happily swap my home office chair for one of these… ideally with castors. Adjustable side bolsters have now been added too, further enhancing the overall experience.
In the second row, rear passengers get seemingly endless legroom, along with backrests that recline between 21º and 33º. There’s a fold-down armrest in the middle, and the comfort level of the centre seat isn’t far off the outer two - even if it’s a shame to lose the three individual, equal-size rear seats offered previously. Vent outlets are present, along with two USB-C ports and the best view up through the (optional) panoramic glass roof.
In the boot, there are 651 litres available regardless of the chosen powertrain - electric, plug-in hybrid or mild-hybrid. Nothing intrudes on the space under the load floor.
Behind the wheel of the Citroën ë-C5 Aircross
On Mallorca’s flowing roads, the Citroën ë-C5 Aircross I drove delivers a driving experience centred on comfort and efficiency. The 0 to 100 km/h sprint takes a brisk 8,9s, but outright performance is not the point here.
The clear priority is ride comfort, where the suspension with progressive hydraulic cushions remains a benchmark. The way it rounds off imperfections while keeping the body controlled is impressive - reinforcing the idea that this is a genuine “magic carpet”, as Citroën likes to say.
Refinement is excellent, even on 20” wheels with lower-profile tyres. The steering feels light yet accurate, and the drive modes (Eco, Normal and Sport) tweak responses without changing this French SUV’s relaxed character. For regenerative braking, there are three levels selectable via the steering-wheel paddles.
ë-C5 Aircross price in Portugal and the range on offer
One of the most unexpected points about the second-generation Citroën C5 Aircross is that it arrives in Portugal with lower prices than equivalent versions of the outgoing model. With the Hybrid 145 powertrain (mild-hybrid 48 V and 145 cv), pricing starts at 33 490 euros for the entry-level You, which is more than 4000 euros less than before.
For the ë-C5 Aircross - the new-generation’s first 100% electric variant - there’s no direct predecessor comparison: prices start at 40 690 euros in You trim. That stacks up well against its “cousin”, the Peugeot e-3008, which with the same motor and battery starts at 47 250 euros.
The ë-C5 Aircross I drove was the mid-level Business version, which brings a lot more equipment and is priced at 44 790 euros.
As the name suggests, it’s aimed at professional customers, who make up the clear majority of new electric-vehicle buyers in Portugal. Standard kit already includes 19” wheels, Advanced Comfort seats with lumbar support, fast charging up to 160 kW (from 20% to 80% in just 30 minutes) and a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance systems.
Later, in 2026, the new Citroën C5 Aircross will also be available with a plug-in hybrid system, which I also had the chance to drive. It produces 195 cv and has no difficulty delivering more than 100 km of urban range without using the combustion engine.
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