Citroen C5
Ratings
2 stars
Summary
Not recommended. A big, dated hatchback and estate that only makes sense with one of Citroen's big discounts.
Review
Unless you're in the market for an uncomplaining minicab it's hard to make much of a case for the increasingly old-looking Citroen C5. Barely average when it was introduced in 2001, the intervening years have been unkind to it and it now feels almost embarassingly off the pace.
The design was never the most elegant, and a mid-term facelift (which grafted on Citroen's latest corporate front end) makes the styling look even more clumsy. The interior is spacious and constructed from reasonably tough-feeling materials, but the design feels very dated. On the plus side, the hatchback has a decent sized boot and the estate is cavernous.
Hydraulic suspension gives the C5 a nice, pliant ride quality over broken road surfaces - and cornering grip levels are impressively high, too. It's certainly better in the bends than any of its likely group of owners will expect or demand, although the overall dynamic experience is let down by springy-feeling steering.
The petrol engines lack refinement and much in the way of performance. The modern, punchy diesels are far better, especially the brawny 2.0 litre HDI.
Massive depreciation makes buying a new C5 look like a very brave decision, although sizable discounts are (in traditional Citroen fashion) available for those who do.
Ratings Breakdown
Styling
2 star
The C5 looked dated when it first came out and the intervening years have been less than kind to it.
Handling
3 star
Grip levels are reasonable and the hydraulic suspension does a good job at resisting roll in corners, but the dynamic experience is marred by over-light steering.
Comfort
4 star
The ride quality is decent and the big, comfortable seats help to while away longer journeys - but refinement is relatively poor at motorway speeds.
Quality & Reliability
2 star
Cheesy-feeling materials give the cabin an unwanted retro vibe. Reliability is less than brilliant, too.
Performance
3 star
Petrol engines are best avoided - punchy turbo diesels are the sole bright spot in the range.
Roominess
3 star
The cabin is big for four full-sized occupants and luggage space is reasonable in the hatchback - while the estate is enormous.
Running Costs
2 star
Diesels have decent fuel economy and maintenance costs should be well contained, but the massive deprecation makes the C5 a very expensive medium-term companion.
Value for money
3 star
As with all Citroens, the official list price bears little relation to the sizeable discounts that dealers are more than happy to hand out, but even with the big savings on offer it's hard to make much of a case for it.
