eBusiness Weekly
Citroen has long struggled to grab the attention of Australian buyers — could this sumptuous sedan-meets-wagon-meets-SUV be the head-turner it needs?
During my week with the 2023 Citroen C5 X Shine, the French carmaker’s new eye-catching, pseudo-wagon offering, I heard one comment more than any other.
“Woah, they still sell Citroen cars in Australia?”
Poor Citroen – it’s been a consistent presence Down Under since 1923 (fun fact: the first car to be driven around Australia was a Citroen) and its commitment to our country has never wavered.
Unfortunately, Australian buyers haven’t been so loyal in the sales stakes.
Last year, Citroen sold only 88 cars locally… An improvement on the year prior, in which it sold a grand total of 47 vehicles.
This year, the French brand has sought to remedy this brand awareness issue by launching two new models – the Citroen C4 and the Citroen C5 X I’m reviewing here.
Offered in Australia in a single specification grade, the C5 X Shine, Citroen claims the C5 X encapsulates the “elegance of a sedan, the dynamism of a wagon and the elevated driving position of an SUV”.
A tall order for a single car, but first impressions suggest it might have pulled it off. Can this category-defying tourer reverse the French brand’s fortunes?
How much space does the Citroen C5 X have inside?
The Citroen C5 X might appear to have a lower stance, but it’s actually eminently easy to enter and exit.
Inside, the front seating is thoughtfully laid out, feeling minimal and spacious without sacrificing any storage.
The panoramic glass sunroof is included as standard on the Shine variant and comes with a sun blind that must be controlled by hand, but works well to block out heat and glare.
The dashboard is appointed with a mixture of faux woodgrain and embossed faux leather, with the 12-inch touchscreen serving as a nice focal point.
The seats are finished in a black leather with a unique perforated design and feature electric adjustment – eight ways for the driver, six for the passenger.
The sloped angular headrests might lend the seats a slightly sporty look, but they’re wide and accommodating. They’re heated too -as is the steering wheel. Dual-zone climate control is also standard.
The centre console features a wireless phone charger with sliding cover, two cupholders, a centre console storage bin with butterfly-opening lid, and an extra dish just behind the cupholders that’s ideal for storing keys.
Meanwhile, the door bins are generously sized and within easy reach.
In the back seat, there’s plenty of leg room, knee room and head room, and the floor is nice and flat, without too many impediments to foot room either.
A maximum of two child seats can be installed using the ISOFIX mounting points on the two outboard seats, and three top-tether attachments over the back.
I found fitting a child seat to be a bit fiddly thanks to the amount of foam padding around the ISOFIX anchorage points, meaning I had to dig around and make several attempts at clicking the attachments into place.
In terms of storage, there are smaller door bins than in the front seat, map pockets on the seat-backs, two USB-C ports, two air vents, but no centre arm rest or cupholders.
The C5 X’s boot offers 545L of storage space, but the back seat folds in a 60:40 split to increase that cargo area to 1640L (when measured to the roof).
The boot area is not only abundantly sized, but well equipped too. It can be accessed via a power tailgate with hands-free access.
Inside, there are levers to remotely lower the second row, tie-down points, a 12-volt outlet, a removable and retractable fabric cargo cover, and a space-saver spare wheel under the floor.
In all, the C5 X’s unique body shape allows for a spacious, well-appointed interior that’s ideal for touring and a hospitable place for both kids and adults.
Does the Citroen C5 X have Apple CarPlay?
The C5 X’s dash-mounted 12-inch infotainment screen is visually impactful and offers wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, digital radio and Bluetooth connectivity, and a full digital manual for the car. There’s also in-built satellite navigation with a 3D view option, plus updates on traffic, speed cameras and nearby service stations.— Drive.com
