• Striking, architecture-inspired style
• Let down by some older, shared components
• Tech dated, often old when sold new

The Citroen C6 has a classy, unfussy and upmarket interior evocative of high-end hotels and minimalism. At least, it does until you get to the fussy and old-fashioned feeling centre console with the off-the-shelf Navidrive infotainment and Peugeot-sourced climate controls.

Buyers expected something more bespoke considering the premium image of the car, and it’s worse on later models where remaining stocks of RT4 and MyGig units meant C5s had more advanced screens and capabilities. Early models rely on discs for data, whereas late cars have a built-in hard disc that can also store MP3 files. Bluetooth for calls is supported, but audio streaming from modern tech involves wires and the aux-input box in the glovebox.

The central control panel is cluttered and not particularly intuitive while some of the materials feel a little cheap. Visibility is good with slim window pillars towards the rear of the car, while the concave rear window doesn’t seem to cause much distortion.

It seems appropriate that most of the main instruments have LED readings and it is possible to choose a C6 with a head-up display which projects speed, the main warning lights and the next sat-nav direction on to the windscreen.

The seats lack support though, and the lowest position on the seats may not be close enough to the ground for some drivers. Check that the memory features work on the electric seats – and on Exclusive models don’t forget to check that the electric steering column adjustment is working as well.

Is a used Citroen C6 comfortable?

• Long, low and stable foundations
• Suspension floats over ripples
• Impressive refinement

Big Citroens take a holistic approach to comfort – a value that remains true even in the latest cars. While the DS and CX achieved legendary ride quality, they did not provide good feedback for faster driving. They also had coarse, dated engines that kept them from achieving a completely flawless package.

With the Citroen C6, the harmony of ride, security and refinement was almost perfected. It shouldn’t have lost much of that quality over time – the aerodynamic shape, acoustically-insulated interior, smooth V6 engine and last-generation of ‘HP’ oleopneumatic suspension working together to create a car that on long, long-distance drives is almost effortless.

With a much clichéd but still aptly described ‘magic carpet’ ride the C6 will transport four or five people at a level of comfort matched by no other for the money. The suspension absorbs pretty much any bump or obstacle thrown at it while noise insulation is superb thanks to the laminated, double-glazed windows. The automatic climate control has ‘soft diffusion’ which ensures a less aggressive airflow to eliminate draughts and engine noise is equally subdued.

Choosing the Lounge Pack adds two electrically adjustable and wonderfully comfortable ‘TGV’ rear seats which slide and recline. They’re heated, and the rear occupant can move the passenger seat forward with a switch in the centre armrest. This option not only means you can’t fold the seats forward for long loads, it makes repair work such as accessing the fuel pump or removing trim to replace the battery much harder.

When buying used, you’ll want to check that the LED display panels are working – particularly the main dashboard – and check the side windows for rattles, cracks and milky-white spots or patches that suggest the glass is delaminating. If there’s no evidence of the spheres having been changed in the past five to 10 years, that’s an easy and inexpensive potential fix for poor ride quality, but if a well-maintained and clean car feels twitchy or unsettled we’d check the tyres first – it needs the right brand, pattern and load rating. Not all tyre fitters can cope with the C6’s wheel and centre hub design.