By Otsile Kadiege

Citroën’s C5 Aircross has been update and in a bid to move C-SUV upmarket, the French automaker has given the C5 Aircross an elegant new exterior design and a new large touch display. 

Exterior

The updated C5 Aircross has a more taught, modern, mature and structured exterior design. Up front, the new C5 Aircross does away with split headlights in favour of newly designed single unit headlights with elegant yet sporty boomerang-like shaped daytime running lights (DRLs) which flank the Citroën chevrons. 

The side profile of the 4,500 mm long C5 Aircross appears muscular and purposeful thanks to its gloss coated functional roof rails with a new matt black insert. It also sports Citroën’s signature Airbump Colour Packs and 270 mm ground clearance. It will also be kitted in 18-inch diamond-cut Pulsar alloy wheels. 

The rear end of C5 Aircross has a newly designed three-dimensional LED taillights. Joining the Polar White, Pearlescent White, Perla Nera Black, Platinum Grey, Steel Grey body colours is a new colour called Eclipse Blue. 

Interior

Inside, the new C5 Aircross gets a 10-inch touchscreen nested atop the dashboard. The vents are now located below the screen and have been modernised with a new sharp, horizontal design. The large touchscreen is flanked by a customisable 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. It’s centre console has also be reworked and now features ergonomic layout of controls, e-Toggle gear selector, two USB ports and a wireless charger. 

The new C5 Aircross features the automaker’s Advanced Comfort Seats and has a luggage capacity between 580l – 720l which can be increased to 1,630l when folding the the rear seats.

Powertrains

Citroën has introduced a new plug-in hybrid powertrain with up to 55km of electric driving range before the petrol engine takes over. We, however doubt the latter will be offered in South Africa. Currently the soon to be replaced prefacelift is powered by a 1.6l petrol engine making 121kW and paired to a 6-speed automatic transmission. 

Citroën South Africa is yet to confirm local specs, pricing and availability.