Citroen C5 - Long Term Test : A C CHANGE IN STYLE

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Our latest addition to our long term test fleet is also one of the most handsome cars to pass through our hands in ages. Citroen's second generation C5. Jonathan Crouch has been enjoying itâ€¦.

When I was a small boy, I used to collect car brochures - still have them in fact. Certain manufacturers' leaflets were particularly valuable of course. Ferraris and Maseratis obviously but also others who designed cars, and therefore usually their literature, in a stylish, exciting manner. Amongst these brands was Citroen. I still prize leaflets from early CX and GS models and lately, I've gone back to my aging pile to add one more: on the marque's latest C5.

I really can't remember the last really beautiful Citroen. You probably have to go back a couple of decades to find one. Yes, the C6 executive saloon is arresting - but that's not the same as being attractive. The C5, in contrast, is a car that really deserves that adjective, whether you order it in saloon or Tourer estate guise. It also happens to be good to drive and cost-effective to own: what's not to like? The badge perhaps? Let's be honest, large Citroen's haven't had the best of reputations for holding their value on the used market - but then the previous C5 model quite frankly didn't deserve to. This second generation car is different. Should you ignore it purely in terms of badge snobbery, then you'll be doing yourself a disservice. The reason that I know this is that we've just added one to our long term test fleet. My wife Katie, fed up with a string of economy-minded superminis and family hatches, refuses to let go of the keys. Her reason for liking the car doesn't have anything to do with the way that it looks. No, it's the suspension. "The C5's just so comfortable to ride in," she told me after a few days at the wheel. "Speed humps - what speed humps? It just spoils you for anything else." I know what she means. There are actually two suspension set-ups to select from in the C5 range. The first is a conventional arrangement that uses double wishbone front suspension and a multi-link system at the rear. The second though, is the system that all potential C5 owners should choose, a Hydractive 3 Plus self levelling suspension set-up that adapts to the road surface in order to deliver a smooth ride. This system lets the driver to select from three modes that offer progressively firmer suspension settings for a sportier driving experience or a more comfortable one as required.

"The C5's just so comfortable to ride in," my wife told me after a few days at the wheel. "It just spoils you for anything elseâ€¦."

Surprises are in short supply within the C5 engine range with the majority of the units carried over from the outgoing car. The one exception is the 2.7-litre HDi V6 unit that debuted to considerable critical acclaim in the C6 executive saloon. The petrol line-up begins with the 127bhp 1.8-litre unit and ends with the 143bhp 2.0-litre but it's the diesels that will account for the majority of sales. Citroen are offering HDi oil-burners of 1.6, 2.0 and 2.2 litre capacities respectively producing 110, 138 and 173bhp as well as the 208bhp V6 range-topper. Saloon and Tourer estate bodystyles are on offer. We've opted for the 2.0-litre 136bhp HDi diesel model that most will probably end up choosing. With prices starting from just under £19,000, it's relatively affordable for a diesel-powered Mondeo-sized family model of this kind and affordable to run. The figures suggested that we should average around 50mpg on a regular basis and we've been able to achieve that with our car. This C5 is a larger car than the model it replaced and one of the biggest in its class - fortunate for me given my growing family of three small children. The saloon I have is fractionally longer than its Ford Mondeo equivalent and almost as wide with the estate measuring in with an extra 5cm of length. Citroen has paid particular attention to soundproofing in the cabin fitting laminated side windows and an acoustic windscreen to supplement the absorbent body and roof linings that were developed for the C6. The interior sets out to mirror the high quality feel of the larger executive-class C6 and although the centre console looks a little overloaded with buttons, the clean lines of the fascia and the chrome detailing create an upmarket effect. Citroen is well known for including high levels of gadgetry in its vehicles and a further cluster of controls on the fixed-hub steering wheel, though a bit daunting at first, ultimately are effective in helping the driver access the more important features without diverting attention from the road. Space for rear seat passengers is helped by the flat floor. Go for the Tourer estate and you get 505 litres of space with all the seats in place and nearly 1500 litres with the seats flat folded. Our car is the top Exclusive model but we could also have opted for cheaper SX or VTR+ levels. It's possible to specify your C5 up to a pretty serious level with the higher trim levels benefiting from a raft of desirable gadgets and yet more made available via the options list. The highlights include the integrated NaviDrive control system with its 7" screen, a voice-activated telephone system, a massaging driver's seat, the Lane Departure Warning System that warns you if you drift over a white line without indicating and two different kinds of adaptive headlamps that give improved visibility when cornering. Standard equipment includes cruise control and a speed limiter as well as six airbags, ABS and ESP stability control. There's also a collapsible pedal assembly that protects the driver's legs in the event of an accident. The C5's rivals are many and talented. Ford's Mondeo is the obvious car to beat but Volkswagen's Passat, Vauxhall's Vectra, Renault's Laguna and Honda's Accord are all in there scrapping it out. The C5's job is made doubly difficult by the fact that these accomplished vehicles are fighting for slices of an ever-diminishing pie. The growth in popularity of compact 4x4 vehicles, including Citroen's own C-Crosser, compact MPVs and premium hatchbacks has hit sales of traditional medium range models. That said, there are still rich pickings for whichever of car in this class can best strike a chord with the buying public. This car will do just that if Citroen dealers can get people behind the wheel. This may not be the easiest of tasks but those handsome looks should help in this respect. And me? Well I'm just pleased at last to have a Citroen I can feel proud of sitting in my driveway. And now you'll have to excuse me: I just have to go and drive it again and admire myself in a few more plate glass windowsâ€¦.

Facts At A Glance
CAR: Citroen C5 range
PRICES: £16,695-£26,395 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUPS: 8-13
CO2 EMISSIONS: 149-212g/km
PERFORMANCE: [2.0 HDi] Max Speed 127mph / 0-60mph 11.6s
FUEL CONSUMPTION: [2.0 HDi] (urban) 35.8mpg / (extra urban) 57.6mpg / (combined) 47.1mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin Front, side and curtain airbags / ABS / ESP
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: [saloon] Length/Width/Height 4779/1853/1458mm