The Citroen C5 Aircross has been facelifted for 2022. This latest version of the popular French SUV embraces a more contemporary character in a bid to stay relevant in a very saturated SUV market.
Timing wise, Citroen will be hoping to get the jump on rival brands, such as Kia, Nissan and Volkswagen, which are all bringing new electric SUVs to the market in 2022. Not least because the PHEV variant of the C5 Aircross makes up 30% of total sales, as a growing number of drivers are indicating their intention to make the switch to electric or hybrid technology.
What’s new about the Citroen C5 Aircross?
Changes are pretty light overall. The front end design has been restyled. A more structured profile reinforces the trend away from curvaceous designs we’ve seen from all car makers over the last couple of decades. The headlights have been given a fancier cut-away shape and Citroen has fiddled with the design of the logo to integrate it into the new grille.
Lower down, the air intake vent has changed shape and been widened. Also, the air curtains have been opened up to improve the aerodynamics. The colour choices of these accented features are being limited to a more subtle, elegant palette, comprising white, black grey and now, blue. This is a step back from the funky brightness of its predecessor in a bid to bring a greater sense of refinement to the model.
What’s it like inside?
In the minimalist cabin, there’s a new 10.0-inch screen from which the climate can now be controlled. This is available as standard on petrol and diesel variants and from the Feel trim for hybrids.
The most striking change is the rearrangement around the new screen to see the air vents dropped below the screen, rather than bordering either side. The overall look is cleaner, especially when the new driving mode selector is integrated. The ‘e-Toggle’ selector is a rocker switch, rather than a gearstick, for automatic transmission.
This arrangement joins the pre-existing 12.3-inch cockpit screen, for which Citroen has won awards. This high-resolution display aims to minimise driver distraction by putting necessary information, such as navigation cues, directly in the driver’s eye line.
The other more minor change inside is the quality of the seats. The updated Citroen Advanced Comfort seats are currently in the C4 and C5 X. According to Citroen, this high-density foam and construction better mitigates against the sagging from high-wear and ageing. The C5 Aircross has them now too. The optional massage features are still available, earning the C5 Aircross its reputation for extreme comfort.
What engines are available?
There continues to be a choice of three engines, though the mid-range trims are now available with the hybrid variant.
What this means for you
Fancier finishes give the C5 Aircross a more premium feel. Attempting to move the model upmarket, a greater number of quality materials has been used to broaden the C5 Aircross appeal to drivers considering models in the compact SUV segment, such as the VW Tiguan, Hyundai Tucson and Mazda CX-5.
The Citroen C5 Aircross has a distinct design and these changes emphasise its desire to look apart from the competition. Sitting between the Peugeot 3008 and Peugeot 5008, in terms of size and space, it’s a strong choice for those looking to purchase a fuel efficient, family friendly and very comfortable SUV.
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Further reading
>> Facelifted Ford Focus: tech and engine upgrades for 2022
>> Best new cars coming in 2022
>> The best SUVs to buy in 2022
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