Citroen C5 Aircross

Citroen's newest C-segment crossover, the C5 Aircross, is now on European roads after its success in the Chinese market, and while most people complain that this is just another wannabe SUV that only works on urban roads, the C5 Aircross is an ideal multipurpose crossover fit for anyone who had their hands full on today's hectic lifestyles. Let's investigate this new model hand in hand on what's it all about the C5 Aircross.

2019 Citroen C5 Aircross

One careful look on the new C5 Aircross and you know that the French really done it by turning the Aircross Concept from the 2015 Shanghai Motor Show into a production model, which is something no other carmaker done it in their lifetime, especially the ones I know. For some, the front of the new C5 Aircross can be easily mistaken for a Nissan Elgrand while the rear view is reminiscent of you-know-what. I said this due to search query reasons but the C5 Aircross wasn't really a bad crossover for looks and when you step inside...

2019 Citroen C5 Aircross interior

2019 Citroen C5 Aircross interior

The interior of the C5 Aircross is surprisingly high-tech and surprisingly comfortable for a crossover of that size and because it only has five seats, there are plenty of reasons why its sweet spot will always belong to you, except for the middle. It has a class-leading boot space so you have a lot of space to fill in from grocery shopping items to today's thrift store hauls that can annoy your sons on the way home. For work or for play, the C5 Aircross ticks all of the boxes of what a practical crossover should be and that's just the start of it.

2019 Citroen C5 Aircross

Under the hood, the C5 Aircross offers a choice of two PureTech petrol engines and two BlueHDi clean diesel engines, which you can ignore the latter due to Europe's vile hatred on diesel engines since the Dieselgate crisis. The 1.6L PureTech 180 engine has some spark to get through today's schedule and mated to an 8-speed AT, it does 0-100kph in 8.2 seconds and onwards to 219kph.

Although not exciting to drive, the C5 Aircross is made solely to become the most comfortable and modular SUV in its class courtesy of its EMP2 modular platform and Progressive Hydraulic Cushions on its suspension, which is surprisingly an evolution to Citroen's signature hydraulic suspensions that donned from the likes of the Xantia and the old C5, among many others. This suspension setup is very clever to get through rough spots as well as potholes without waking the passengers up. Now that's the Citroen magic in the making and to make the journey home more safe and secure, the C5 Aircross comes with a wide array of driver assistance technologies courtesy of its camera on the upper part of the windscreen and a radar sensor built into the front bumper. 

There are over twenty latest generation driver assistance technologies offered on the C5 Aircross and while most of the tech are surprisingly fine for a well-behaved Regular Joe, it's not friendly for speedo boys spending the rest of their time getting their cellphones and take a picture of their speedos while driving on the highway. There's your warning shot over here, speedo boy.

The C5 Aircross starts at 24,700 Euros TTC, making it one of the most reasonably priced crossovers in its class and an ideal car to start with.

Photo: Groupe PSA

MG ZS vs. Citroen C3 Aircross

In the planet of the crossovers, there are some crossovers think they look tough on the outside but in reality, they really are soft on the inside, meaning it's easy to be labeled as weaklings because they don't possess some true capabilities a tough SUV possess but for some, they didn't matter anyway because while the so-called fake-UVs are not so tough as they look, they are made for one major purpose; to get the job done with no questions asked. Such example is MG's latest offering, the ZS SUV, as well as Citroen's C3 Aircross.

2018 MG ZS

2018 MG ZS interior

First, let's talk about the MG ZS, the latest offering from the Chinese-controlled British car company, and judging by the name, the ZS took its name from a relative from the posh but forgettable Rover 75, which is the saloon of choice for the Bethnal Green mob you ran into. While this name is nothing new, this SUV has a clear impression of thinking that they copied the styling of noteworthy crossovers such as the Mazda CX-5 and the Hyundai Tucson. That's the Chinese way, all right, and judging from its looks, the interior wasn't bad either for a five-seater, although the dashboard is as cheap as those outdated gadgets you bought at the thrift store. Although the interior feels a bit outdated by crossover standards, it feels not too bad to get into and you get the sense that you had a dream that you and your friends are driving to a nearby shopping mall in the streets of Muntinlupa City. Not as pretty as it hoped for but it ticks all the right stuff to satisfy your chic craving.

Driving aside, the ZS is powered by a choice of two petrol engines, a 1.5L DOHC and a 1.0L GDi which produces a city-friendly 111PS of power output and 160Nm. The 1.5L model is mated with a 5-speed MT while the 1.0L GDi is mated with a 6-speed AT but either way, you can consider these choices to be a bit decent but average for you especially when the suspension setup is as old-fashioned as a Nokia 3310 phone you got since you were at the fourth grade.

Of course, the ZS is considered to be a value for money because of its 12,495 GBP (844,000 Php) price tag, but despite its affordability, the ZS lacks something a compact crossover should have, even for the fact that it only works on urban roads rather than taking it on road trips on faraway destinations. So, if you need more for a city-worked crossover, consider the Citroen C3 Aircross for a change.

2018 Citroen C3 Aircross

2018 Citroen C3 Aircross interior

The C3 Aircross is the replacement for the funky but somewhat lagging C3 Picasso and starting at 15,950 Euros (960,000 Php), it considers to be a fair value for money which isn't bad for a fake-UV, especially when it uses the same bits and bobs as seen in today's Citroen C3. I mean yes, this is like a C3 but with some added ground clearance to make it look tough but to be honest, despite the high-riding looks, it still behaves like a compact car and it ticks all the right buttons that the MG ZS can't. Then, the interior is as modern as a Kindle Fire. Not as good as it hoped for but it's spacious enough for your thrift store junk, decently comfortable, chic, and simple. That's the Citroen way and you know it.

The most powerful version has a 1.2L petrol engine producing 130PS of power and 230Nm of torque, capable of reaching 0-100kph in 9.3 seconds and onwards to 200kph. Not only it is faster than the ZS but also, it's surprisingly nippy and lively to handle by city car standards. Of course, if you prefer fuel efficiency, you should go for the one with the 100PS BlueHDi engine that has CO2 emissions of 96g/km, which sounds fine but sadly, it won't last long for French roads because it's diesel.

Not only it drives pretty well like a city car, but it's also advanced as a city car as well because of the safety features implemented to give the C3 Aircross peace of mind for the occupants at all sides.

So, how do I sum this up? Well, the MG ZS is one of the cheapest crossovers money can buy but with all that "made in China" stuff, drivers are having that Divisoria feeling when they drive one but for the C3 Aircross, that is like driving in the streets of BGC without all the drama. Despite all the differences, they made proof that despite not being as tough as SUVs should be, they are made for one major purpose; to get the job done with no questions asked.

Photo: MG, PSA

Citroen C4 Aircross

Some say this is the Mitsubishi RVR but it isn't. Its the Mitsubishi RVR's French cousins; the Peugeot 4008 and the Citroen C4 Aircross. This isn't the first time the French carmakers using underpinnings from Mitsubishi. Back in 2007, PSA Peugeot-Citroen collaborated with Mitsubishi Motors for their own versions of the Mitsubishi Outlander crossover known as the Peugeot 4007 and the Citroen C-Crosser. In 2010, they did it again by turning the all-electric Mitsubishi i MiEV into a Peugeot iOn and the Citroen C-Zero. The Citroen C4 Aircross and the Peugeot 4008 are somewhat to be the third difficult album about a partnership between PSA Peugeot-Citroen and Mitsubishi Motors.

2013 Citroen C4 Aircross

2013 Citroen C4 Aircross

The Citroen C4 Aircross is just rather a spin-off of the Citroen C4. Remember, despite the naming, it doesn't share some of the components of the second generation Citroen C4. What you expect underneath on the Citroen C4 Aircross is actually a Mitsubishi RVR from Citroen's point of view. Imagine if you try to put your Citroen C4 Aircross at your nearest Mitsubishi service center and chances are that they might think you're driving an RVR. In true French fashion, the Citroen C4 Aircross do come with a very quirky design DNA that truly expresses the brand's "Creative Technologie" slogan.

2013 Citroen C4 Aircross interior

On the interior, well, the C4 Aircross really looked the same as the Mitsubishi RVR. You would still expect getting the Mitsubishi-favorite Rockford Fosgate audio and navigation system, an optional panoramic roof, seating for five, foldable rear seats, and that's about it. Play a game of "Dashboard Spot the Difference" between the two and you would expect that there is only one change occurred; the steering wheel.

2013 Citroen C4 Aircross

The Citroen C4 Aircross has three engines available; a 1.6i petrol engine, an HDi 115 diesel, and the HDi 150 diesel engine. At first, the C4 Aircross is FF but with optional 4WD, you'll have the Drive Mode Selector, which provides the driver three different modes to choose from such as 2WD for better fuel economy, 4WD Auto for traction, and 4WD Lock where you want to take it on tarmac, gravel, and snow, even in the rain.

Back on the engine types. The 1.6i petrol engine produces 115PS of power, 154Nm of torque, 0-100kph in 11.3 seconds and top speed of 182kph. This engine has a combined fuel economy of 5.9L/100km and CO2 emissions of 135g/km. Onto the HDi 115 diesel, this has 112PS of power and 270Nm of torque. A Citroen C4 Aircross HDi 115 with 2WD will have a combined fuel economy of 4.6L/100km and 119g/km of CO2 emissions. A Citroen C4 Aircross HDi 115 with 4WD will have a combined fuel economy of 4.9L/100km and 129g/km. On the much powerful HDi 150, this produces 150PS of power and 300Nm of torque. With 2WD, expect a combined fuel economy of 5.4L/100km and 142g/km of CO2 emissions. With 4WD, you should expect 5.6L/100km of fuel economy and a
CO2 emission of 147g/km. The 1.6i petrol will have a 5-speed manual and HDi models will have a 6-speed manual.

Exterior colors are; Blanc Antarctique opaque, Gris Cool Silver metallise, Noir Perle nacre, Rouge Chili's metallise, Brun Mangaro metallise, Gris Papyrus metallise, Gris Titanium metallise, and Blanc nacre.

My comment:


Yes, the Citroen C4 Aircross is just a Mitsubishi RVR altered and edited to be sold in Citroen dealerships in Europe but terribly sorry, the C4 Aircross won't be made for right hand drive use and terribly, it won't be coming to the United Kingdom. Like the C-Crosser and the C-Zero, don't expect this one coming to Japan, but what the heck? It's just a Mitsubishi. A Mitsubishi RVR perhaps a little bit different when it comes to the outside and the performance figures.

Photo: PSA Peugeot Citroen

This is how you say Mitsubishi RVR in French

2013 Peugeot 4008

2013 Citroen C4 AIRCROSS

They maybe using the Mitsubishi RVR (known in others as the ASX and Outlander Sport) as its foundation but Peugeot's latest debutante, the 4008, and Citroen's latest addition to the C4 range, the C4 AIRCROSS, are those kind of crossovers you do want to watch out for next year.

More details coming soon!