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Estate
It's a big, smooth cruiser with more load space than you'll find in most rivals. And, the adjustable suspension, which lets you lower the car when loading, is a real help.
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There's loads of room and a good view out for every passenger, and they'll be comfortable, too, thanks to the gas-filled spheres that do the work of the springs and dampers you'll find in other cars to produce a floaty ride. You'll hear the wheels as they thump into potholes but won't feel a thing. Wind and road noise, too, is kept out, creating a wonderfully hushed cabin as you glide along. The diesel engines are quiet and powerful, although the 1.8 petrol makes some noise. Corner the car enthusiastically, though, and the amount it rolls will be alarming at first. To be fair, it grips well, although you may not feel comfortable as it does, and the steering's lack of feel doesn't help.
Running Costs
The C5 loses value rapidly from new, making the C5 potentially a bargain by its second or third birthday. However, it has the potential to put a big dent in your bank balance as it gets older. Reliability is poor and the C5 also needs a suspension overhaul after five years. Main-dealer prices for servicing are competitive, but it's doubtful whether switching to a back-street garage to save money would be as wise as if you owned a Ford or Vauxhall - spares aren't dear, but the complex electrics and suspension could jack up repair costs. Insurance costs are average: the 1.8 and 1.6 diesel are cheapest and in group 8, the 2.0 diesel and petrol are group 9 or 10 and the 3.0, group 14. Fuel economy is good - up to 52mpg for the 1.6 diesel and 47mpg for the 2.0. The 1.8 petrol manages up to 35mpg, the 2.0 up to 32mpg and the 3.0 29mpg.
Hatchback
It’s a big smooth cruiser that’s quirky in the way Citroens used to be. Gas-filled spheres do the work of the springs and dampers you’ll find in other cars to produce a floaty ride; you’ll hear the wheels as they thump into potholes but you won’t feel a thing. Wind and road noise is kept out, too, creating a wonderfully hushed cabin as you glide along. The diesel engines are quiet and powerful, although the 1.8 petrol makes some noise. If you corner the car 'enthusiastically', the amount of body roll will alarm you at first. However, the car does grip well, although you may not feel comfortable as it does, and the steering’s lack of feel doesn’t help. There’s ample room and a good view out for every passenger, they can all sit comfortably in its wide body. The boot is huge, too, a good, square shape, and the tailgate is wide and opens easily.
Running Costs
The C5 loses value rapidly from new, making it an expensive buy at only a few months old but potentially a bargain by its second or third birthday. However, it has the potential to put a big dent in your bank balance as it gets older; reliability is poor and the C5 also needs a suspension overhaul after five years. Main dealer prices for servicing are competitive but it’s doubtful whether switching to a back-street garage to save money would be as wise as if you owned a Ford or Vauxhall; spares aren’t dear but the complex electrics and suspension could jack up repair costs. Insurance costs are average: the 1.8 petrol and 1.6 diesel are cheapest in group 8, the 2.0 diesel and petrol are group 9 or 10 and the 3.0 is in group 14. Fuel economy is good: up to 52mpg for the 1.6 diesel and 47mpg for the 2.0 diesel. The 1.8 petrol manages up to 35mpg, the 2.0 up to 32mpg and the 3.0 29mpg.
Hatchback
It’s a big smooth cruiser that’s quirky in the way Citroens used to be. Gas-filled spheres do the work of the springs and dampers you’ll find in other cars to produce a floaty ride; you’ll hear the wheels as they thump into potholes but you won’t feel a thing. Wind and road noise is kept out, too, creating a wonderfully hushed cabin as you glide along. The diesel engines are quiet and powerful, although the 1.8 petrol makes some noise. If you corner the car 'enthusiastically', the amount of body roll will alarm you at first. However, the car does grip well, although you may not feel comfortable as it does, and the steering’s lack of feel doesn’t help. There’s ample room and a good view out for every passenger, they can all sit comfortably in its wide body. The boot is huge, too, a good, square shape, and the tailgate is wide and opens easily.