Citroën C5 Aircross Hybrid (2022): the French love it

We observed an average fuel consumption of 3.9 l/100 km before exhausting the batteries. A good score that it is possible to improve thanks to the presence of a mode B on the gear lever, which regenerates at the sunrise. Once the batteries “flat” – in reality there is always a stock of energy to operate in simple hybrid – double consumption and flirts with the 8 l/100 km, hence the capital importance to recharge regularly if you wish to amortize your purchase. In this regard, the charging times are between 2 hours on a wallbox with the Mode 2 cable delivered as standard and 7 hours on a domestic socket via the 3.7 kW on -board charger. Via the “My Citroën” application to download from your smartphone, it is possible to control the load remotely, program the charging hours (off -peak hours) or even start heating in the morning before entering your vehicle. Finally, we must also keep in mind that the capacity of the fuel tank loses 10 liters compared to the thermal due to the implantation of the battery.

Test – Citroën C5 Aircross Hybrid 136 hp (2023): what is the light hybrid version is ?

Like its cousin the Peugeot 3008, Citroën has equipped its compact SUV, the C5 Aircross, with a light hybrid engine. Attractive on paper, this recipe is ideal on the road ?

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Engine with light hybridization

From € 37,800

Launched in 2018, the Citroën C5 Aircross was a great commercial success since it has passed in more than 265,000 copies in Europe. The craze is identical in France where it represents the second best sale of the manufacturer, behind the city car, the C3. He therefore managed to assert himself as one of the essential actors in the compact SUV segment, ranking just behind the Peugeot 3008 and Renault Arkana. Restyled last year, it benefits from a new micro-hybridized engine, which has just appeared on the aging Peugeot 3008, today, it teams the C5 Aircross.

This new engine represents a profound evolution of the 1.2 L 130 hp petrol engine it replaces, since 40% of the parts are unprecedented. Among them, we immediately notice the presence of a distribution chain (which should solve some of the many PureTech reliability problems), the introduction of a variable geometry turbo, a direct injection with more pressure, but also of operation according to the Miller cycle. The main novelty lies in the fact that this three-cylinder is now coupled with an unprecedented six-speed e-CDS6 dual clutch box, designed by Punch Powertrain. It incorporates an electric motor developing 28 hp in peak (for 55 Nm), and replaces the old Eat8 8 -speed automatic unit. The set is connected to an electrical network in 48 volts, fueling a 0.432 kWh useful battery, housed under the front left seat. Question figures, the power increases by 6 h when the torque remains stable to 230 nm.

In use, as soon as the start -up on this new motorization concerns its different sound from the classic 3 -cylinder sound, but not much more rewarding due to fairly unpleasant mechanical noises. Then, from the first laps, the supply of electricity is obvious, especially in the low regimes where the C5 Aircross works in all electric, especially in town. Result, a greater silence and a fall in consumption. Thanks to instrumentation, you can even realize the electrical share, which does not hesitate to reach 50% in urban use. Thus, under these conditions, we have found a decrease in consumption of up to 1.5 l/100 km, but as soon as the pace accelerates, the benefits of this technology fade. On our mixed journey, we noted an average of 6.9 l/100 km. It’s not bad without being extraordinary. We appreciate all the same, during the stops on the lights, the more discreet start of the 3 cylinder, thank you the electricity fairy.

Question performance, with a 0 to 100 km/h shot in 10.2 s., The C5 displays a rather “quiet” temperament which clearly favors comfort as evidenced by its damping pampeating its occupants. It is undeniably its main quality.

The Citroën C5 Aircross is one of the rare compact SUVs to have individual sliding rear seats.

Management a little too assisted and cash movements when we raise the pace confirm the idea that he does not like to be abrupt, but it does not prevent this C5 is really a good traveling companion for families. They will appreciate the very well thought out practical aspects with in particular sliding individual rear seats on 15 cm, which is rare on the market. Another good news, the volume of trunk is not impacted by hybridization. The capacity therefore always oscillates between 520 and 780 liters depending on the position of the rear seats.

Citroën C5 Aircross Hybrid (2022): the French love it

The family SUV of Citroën managed to climb among the best sales of rechargeable hybrids in France. Restyled today, the C5 Aircross Hybrid retains its successful architecture, its qualities and its faults.

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In short

Family SUV
Bonus: € 1,000*
From € 41,750

Born in 2018, the C5 Aircross quickly converted to the hybrid. From 2020, the Citroën family SUV offered its version of the Motopropulser group from Stellantis, in place under the hood of a good dozen models, namely a 225 hp version in traction. This choice was paid since in a favorable context, the C5 Aircross Hybrid 225 quickly rose to the podium of rechargeable hybrid vehicles (all categories combined) in France, behind its cousin, the Peugeot 3008.

Today, the situation has changed. The new market collapses and that of the rechargeable hybrid accuses the blow with an 8% drop recorded since the beginning of 2022. This phenomenon will accelerate with the end of the ecological bonus of € 1,000 scheduled for July 1, 2022 and the next Euro 6th standard, from 2025, the calculation of which will multiply by 2.5 times the C02 emissions of rechargeable hybrids , which will end all current state aid (conversion bonus, etc.)). So, if you want to take advantage of all the aids, you will have to hurry.

The C5 Aircross Hybrid 225 undergoes the same update as the classic thermal version. He swaps his jovial boil and lines all round for a more assertive design. On board, also the developments are deep. The dashboard has been redesigned to accommodate a larger touch screen, 10 inches against 8 before, with positioning at. Unfortunately he is not entitled to the last operating system of the Stellantis group. Its resolution is better but it remains slow in use. He also receives several information concerning hybridization. French retains a careful presentation with plastics of good quality.

The C5 Aircross Hybrid 225 sees its prices climbing € 1,800 during the restyling, with an input ticket set at € 41,750 in Feel finish, a rather complete level of equipment (see next page). An “attractive” rate in front of its competitors, the Peugeot 3008 (€ 45,600) and Hyundai Tucson (€ 45,250). The rent begins at 403 € /month over 48 months for an annual mileage of 10,000 km, with warranty and maintenance included, after a first rent of 8,389 €.

The transition to hybridization ultimately has little impact on practical aspects. The French retains its three individual rear seats, sliding with an reclining backrest. However, we would have liked more leg space. Only the chest volume is penalized because of the batteries. It goes from 580 liters to 460 thermal for the rechargeable hybrid with accommodation to store the cables under the floor, which is still suitable for a family. It is possible to increase it to 600 liters by sliding the bench (on 15 cm) forward.

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The hybridization system has not changed during the restyling. It is always an association between a 4 -cylinder, supercharged petrol, the 1.6 180 hp PureTech and an 80 kW electric motor (110 hp) placed upstream of the 8 -speed automatic gearbox. The latter is powered by a 13.2 kW/h lithium-ion battery pack. In the cumulation, the maximum power reaches 225 hp and the torque 360 ​​Nm. Everything is sent to the front wheels. In 100% electric mode, the C5 Aircross Hybrid offers an autonomy of 55 km according to the WLTP approval cycle, which authorizes it an ecological bonus of € 1,000 until July 1, 2022. Note that the electric mode is able to act alone up to 135 km/h.

We have completed this test entirely in “hybrid” mode, the one that will be used in the majority of cases. Well installed in the large soft seats from the “Advanced Comfort” program, it is in a cathedral silence that the C5 Aircross starts. Immediately the vehicle invites you to drive, silent and comfortable. When the heat engine wakes up, it is that the need as a torque is felt (or the battery is flat). In practice, you will never have the impression of having 225 hp under the right foot, however you will have enough resources to ensure in all situations (exceeding, long accelerations). Electrical energy mainly offers a maximum torque of 360 Nm, welcome to make people forget the 1,745 kg of the machine.

We observed an average fuel consumption of 3.9 l/100 km before exhausting the batteries. A good score that it is possible to improve thanks to the presence of a mode B on the gear lever, which regenerates at the sunrise. Once the batteries “flat” – in reality there is always a stock of energy to operate in simple hybrid – double consumption and flirts with the 8 l/100 km, hence the capital importance to recharge regularly if you wish to amortize your purchase. In this regard, the charging times are between 2 hours on a wallbox with the Mode 2 cable delivered as standard and 7 hours on a domestic socket via the 3.7 kW on -board charger. Via the “My Citroën” application to download from your smartphone, it is possible to control the load remotely, program the charging hours (off -peak hours) or even start heating in the morning before entering your vehicle. Finally, we must also keep in mind that the capacity of the fuel tank loses 10 liters compared to the thermal due to the implantation of the battery.

The overweight generated by hybridization forced engineers to modify the calibration of suspensions. Despite this, the C5 Aircross is one of the rare hybrid SUVs to keep a very high level of comfort. Slightly firmer in compression than the thermal version, damping retains a progressive relaxation in particular thanks to the presence of hydraulic stops, also, from the Citroën Advanced Comfort program “. Travels aboard the hybrid Aircross C5 are even even more pleasant because even more silent thanks to the puff pastry delivered as standard.

*Ecological bonus of € 1,000 valid before any order placed before July 1, 2022.