Citroën C5 2.2 HDi

Road Test

Your Say

Test date 09 April 2008 Price as tested £19,895

For Styling, interior quality, excellent spec, boot space, cosseting ride

AgainstInert handling, overworked steering wheel boss, limited rear headroom

The new Citroen C5 is closely based on the C5 Airscape concept, first seen at the 2008 Frankfurt show. And in design terms it is very obviously influenced by the Teutonic feel of the Airscape.

Mechanically it is closely related to the C6, however, so in essence what we’re talking about is a cheaper, more traditional-looking version of the excellent (and quirky) C6.

In its marketing spiel for the C5, Citroën claims its new Mondeo rival is “Reassuringly German. Unmistakably Citroën.” Considering how overtly ‘French’ Citroën has appeared over the years, it’s surprising and perhaps also a touch disappointing to discover the influence of Germany within the genes of the all-new C5.

Look closely and you can detect it in most aspects of the car. Not merely in its admittedly handsome Teutonic looks but also in its marketing thrust, its interior… you name it, the C5 oozes with calculated Germanic appeal.

The message is nothing if not simple. Citroën clearly believes that most people think Germany makes the best cars, so why not copy the style with its new Mondeo rival and add a touch of flair to the mix as well? And it’s a message that actually seems to work.

The C5 is good looking in a traditional, square-jawed kind of way and, at first glance, appears to be extremely well built, decently equipped and very obviously more premium in feel than its predecessor.

The version we test here has the 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel engine with 171bhp, and it comes in what will probably be the most popular trim level, VTR+.