Citroën’s All-New C5 Aircross: Peace of Mind on Wheels?

Citroën has just unwrapped the second-generation C5 Aircross, marking the completion of the brand’s full range renewal in less than two years. Positioned as Citroën’s new flagship, this model aims to embody the brand’s core values: accessibility, versatility, energy choice, a strong identity, distinctive comfort, and ease of use. It’s designed to take on a new dimension in the C-SUV market, which is a key segment in Europe.
Based on the new Stellantis STLA Medium platform, the new C5 Aircross is engineered to offer increased freedom and peace of mind. Citroën says this model is a step forward in every respect, providing a comprehensive answer to customer expectations in the segment.

Design: Assertive, Aerodynamic, and Unmistakably Citroën
The new C5 Aircross boasts a powerful and assertive design, moving away from the previous curvy profile towards tauter, sharper lines aligned with Citroën’s new design language. The aim was to combine the power of a dense, muscular style with the aerodynamics of fluid lines, avoiding the potentially bulky look of some SUVs. It features wider tracks and pronounced shoulders, giving it a confident stance on the road.
Up front, you’ll find strength and fluidity. The new Citroën logo is prominently displayed, and the brand’s new 3-point light signature is interpreted with particularly slender horizontal segments, enhancing the front end’s elegance and width. These Citroën Matrix LED headlamps, which offer enhanced night vision without dazzling others, are linked by a chic gloss black strip. Interestingly, the front section on the electric version is completely enclosed to optimise aerodynamic drag.

Looking at the side, the silhouette is sculpted for efficiency, with a single-gesture edge line running from front to rear. The bonnet has a dynamic, plunging nose to help with air penetration. While the roofline slopes slightly after the second row to optimise aerodynamics, the design ensures passenger volume is preserved, highlighting its family focus. Thanks to the STLA Medium platform, the height is kept to 1.66m for better air penetration, while still maintaining a respectable 200mm of ground clearance.

The rear is described as spectacular and streamlined, featuring a sophisticated horizontal gloss black fascia echoing the front. This strip, along with muscular shoulders and a curved upper section, helps reinforce the vehicle’s width and optimise aerodynamics. Aerodynamic appendages, inspired by technology, are integrated into the rear quarter panel to guide airflow.

A key promise kept from the C5 Aircross Concept is the presence of Citroën Light Wings at the rear. These detached outer light points appear to float like fins and serve both an aesthetic purpose, broadening the stance, and an aerodynamic one, guiding airflow. All this attention to detail has yielded tangible results, with a notable improvement in the SCX (0.75 vs 0.84 previously), translating into an estimated additional electric range of over 30km on the motorway for the electric version.

The STLA-Medium platform has also allowed for generous dimensions: 4,652mm long (+150mm) and 1,902mm wide. The wheelbase is extended to 2,784mm (+60mm), significantly benefiting rear passenger legroom. The platform also accommodates large wheels up to 20 inches with a 740mm diameter, adding to the powerful lateral styling. These rims feature modular designs for aerodynamics and perforated sections for brake cooling. Finally, the colour clips on the front doors and front are a cool graphic signature, offering customisation and adding a touch of elegance.

Interior: Your Advanced Comfort® Zen Living Room
Citroën is really leaning into comfort with the new C5 Aircross, aiming to offer the most comfortable electrified C-segment family SUV on the market. The interior design follows the C-Zen Lounge architecture, creating a well-being space akin to a lounge.

The dashboard features a “Sofa Design” – it’s long, airy, and horizontal, intended to feel like living room furniture. The lower part is covered in a high-quality foam fabric that extends to the door panels and seats, creating a unified, cocoon-like atmosphere. You can even choose between light or dark colours. Adding to the warm atmosphere is the extended Ambient Lighting system, a first for Citroën, offering eight different colours.
At the heart of this comfort are the Citroën Advanced Comfort® seats. They have a quilted-effect design and are designed for an unparalleled level of comfort. They feature thick textured foam, and the upper part wraps around shoulders, with electrically adjustable side bolsters – a first!. Front seats offer up to 10 electric positions, plus heating, ventilation, and five massage programmes. Rear passengers aren’t forgotten, benefiting from the same quality foam, backrests that recline between 21° and 33°, and heating on higher trims.

Another key to the exceptional comfort is the Progressive Hydraulic Cushions® suspension. This system absorbs road imperfections to deliver that classic Citroën “magic carpet” feel, ensuring great comfort while maintaining body control.

Technology Taking Centre Stage
The driver’s position is designed for clarity and ease, with digital screens presenting information clearly to reduce mental workload. Dominating the dash is the spectacular Waterfall Touchscreen – the largest central HD touchscreen offered by Stellantis yet. Its vertical design appears to float before cascading down to the centre console.

This screen is highly functional, with a fixed status bar at the top, a large customisable area for navigation, infotainment, and widgets (up to 16 per page, like a smartphone), a fixed control bar for quick access, and direct climate controls. It’s designed to be easily operated, even with your elbow resting on the armrest.
The new C5 Aircross comes with the latest-generation Citroën infotainment systems, including connected 3D navigation. Up to eight drivers can create personalised profiles. Seamless smartphone integration is standard with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and you can connect two phones via Bluetooth simultaneously. There’s also a convenient 15W wireless charger.

For interacting with the car, the “Hello Citroën” voice recognition system understands natural language. And get this – it even features integrated OpenAI’s ChatGPT! This generative AI aims to make voice recognition even more fluid and natural, acting as a digital assistant to make everyday life easier.
Beyond the central screen, all models have a 10″ digital instrument cluster, and higher trims add an extended Head-Up Display. This projects a large-scale colour display onto the windscreen, keeping important info in your line of sight for a more serene drive. It’s even 30% larger than the one in the C5 X.

Practicality and Space: Designed for Families
True to its family calling, the new C5 Aircross is designed to make long journeys easier. Thanks to that extended 2.78m wheelbase, it offers interior space that sets a benchmark in the segment. Rear seat passengers get knee room identical to the C5 X and 51mm more than the previous model, plus a generous 68mm increase in headroom.

A useful new feature for rear passengers is a central armrest with two cupholders and two smartphone slots. They also get two USB-C sockets and a 12V socket. Front passengers have their own USB-C sockets and a 12V socket, with a third 12V socket located in the boot.
Everyone inside will appreciate the light from the large panoramic glass roof, the front section of which can open electrically.

Citroën highlights that the new C5 Aircross offers one of the best boot volumes in its segment, and crucially, the volume is identical whatever the engine. This means you get the same space whether it’s a hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or electric version, unlike some competitors. You’re looking at 565 dm3 (651 litres) with the rear seats in place, expanding to 1,668 dm3 with the bench seat folded down. The 40/20/40 split and adjustable rear seat backrests add flexibility, and a motorised tailgate with hands-free opening is available. Total interior storage is also impressive, totalling almost 40 litres – a record in the segment.

Technology for Serenity: Driving Aids and Safety
Peace of mind is a core theme, and the new C5 Aircross is packed with latest-generation driving and parking assistance systems. The available Drive Assist 2.0 pack offers Level 2 autonomous driving capabilities. This includes handy features like semi-automatic lane changing on motorways, Rear Traffic Alert to warn you of obstacles when reversing, a driver surveillance camera, and extended blind spot detection using radar with a 75m range.

Parking is made easier with VisioPark or VisioPark 360°, offering camera views (including a reconstructed sky view) and obstacle sensors.

Powertrain Choices: Freedom to Go Electric (or Hybrid)
Citroën is pushing a multi-fuel strategy to suit varied European needs.

The Hybrid 145hp Automatic uses a 48V mild-hybrid system, offering ease of use (no recharging) and a generous range of over 950km. It significantly reduces emissions and fuel consumption, especially in town where it can run on electric power up to 50% of the time. It combines a 136 bhp 1.2L turbo engine with a 12 bhp electric motor integrated into a new 6-speed eDCS dual-clutch auto gearbox.

Stepping up is the Hybrid Rechargeable 195 Automatic (that’s Plug-in Hybrid to us!). This version offers an average electric range of 86km, and over 100km in town. Combined with a large 55-litre fuel tank, it has a total motorway range of 650km. It pairs a 150 bhp 1.6L turbo engine with a 92 kW (125 bhp) electric motor for a combined 195 bhp, powered by a 21 kWh battery. Recharging is fairly quick, taking just under 3 hours on an optional 7.4 kW wallbox. This PHEV aims to give you the best of both worlds: zero emissions daily and peace of mind on longer trips.

For those ready for full electric, the Citroën ë-C5 Aircross is available with two options thanks to the STLA Medium platform’s flexibility.

•A version with up to 520km range (WLTP combined) powered by a 210 bhp / 157 kW motor and a 73 kWh battery.
•A long-range version with an exceptional range of up to 680km (WLTP combined) featuring a 230 bhp / 170 kW motor and a 97 kWh battery.

Both electric versions offer three driving modes (Normal, Eco, Sport) and a three-stage regenerative braking system controlled by paddles. For efficiency and comfort, there’s an available heat pump and heated seats/steering wheel. The connected navigation includes an EV trip planner that considers various factors in real time to map the most efficient route, including charging stops.

Charging performance is highlighted as segment-leading. With the standard 11 kW three-phase charger, a 20-80% charge takes around 4.5 hours for the 73 kWh battery or 6.5 hours for the 97 kWh battery on an 11 kW wallbox. On a 160 kW ultra-fast charger, that drops to around 30 minutes regardless of battery size. From 2026, an optional 22 kW bi-directional charger will enable V2L (Vehicle-to-Load) technology, letting you power external devices from the car.

Made in France with a Sustainable Touch
The new C5 Aircross is designed and engineered in France and assembled at Citroën’s historic plant in Rennes. Citroën has put effort into sustainability, using recycled fabrics for seat covers. The car incorporates a significant amount of recycled material, including 160 kg of recycled metals and 47 kg of recycled or bio-sourced plastics. Notably, the clear plastic in some storage areas includes 20% vine shoots sourced from organic Burgundy vineyards – a world first!. Overall, the car uses limited chrome and no leather. Key electric components like the 97 kWh battery pack, electric drive module, e-Powertrain motor, and inverter are also produced in France.

Coming Soon
The new C5 Aircross is set to go on sale in the main European markets in the second half of 2025.
Looks like Citroën is aiming to deliver a seriously comfortable, practical, and tech-filled C-SUV with plenty of electrified options to choose from.